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250 ATP Challenger Tour

Lukas Klein Secures Clay-Court Victory at San Marino Open

Lukas Klein wins at San Marino Open, while Daniel Mérida captures first Challenger title in Spain.

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Lukas Klein ended an 18-month title drought by winning the 32nd Internazionali di Tennis San Marino Open, an ATP Challenger 125 event. The 27-year-old Slovak dominated the clay courts, defeating Croatia’s Dino Prizmic 6-3, 6-4 in the final, completing the match in 88 minutes. This victory marked Klein’s fourth Challenger title and his first since late 2023 in Ortisei, Italy.

Klein impressed a crowd that included San Marino’s officials Denise Bronzetti and Italo Righi, with his powerful and steady game. On his path to the trophy, he overcame top-seeded Valentin Royer, seventh seed Lukas Neumayer, and local contender Matteo Gigante. In the final, despite a strong start from 20-year-old Next Gen player Prizmic, Klein quickly regained control with strategic low and fast groundstrokes, winning the opening set 6-3.

In the second set, Klein broke early and maintained his composure even when Prizmic threatened at 3-4. The Slovak closed out the match efficiently. The triumph earned him 125 ATP points and lifted him 40 positions to world No. 147.

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Reflecting on the win, Klein said: “It’s been a fantastic week! The atmosphere on court was amazing, thanks to all the fans. This title means a lot. San Marino will always have a place in my heart. I hope I can come back next year!”

Meanwhile, Daniel Mérida claimed his first ATP Challenger title at the Open Ciudad de Pozoblanco Covap in Spain. The 21-year-old Spaniard beat China’s Fajing Sun 6-3, 6-4 in 86 minutes, garnering 75 ATP points and a spot in the US Open qualifying draw. Mérida’s win was the first Spanish success at this Andalusian event since 2012.

Mérida started the match with a break but was tested immediately as the contest featured multiple breaks and intense rallies. He secured the first set with a pivotal backhand winner and held firm in the second to close out the victory with an inside-out forehand.

Other notable Challenger winners last week include Jan Choinski, who claimed the Dutch Open title in Bunschoten, Netherlands, and August Holmgren, who defeated Liam Draxl for the Granby National Bank Championships in Canada. The ATP Challenger Tour continues with several tournaments this week, featuring rising stars and established players across Europe and North America.

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250 ATP Mubadala Citi DC Open

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina Advances to Mubadala Citi DC Open Final with Victory Over Ben Shelton

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina powered past Ben Shelton to reach the Mubadala Citi DC Open final.

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Alejandro Davidovich Fokina continued his impressive run at the Mubadala Citi DC Open by defeating Ben Shelton 6-2, 7-5 to secure a spot in the tournament final. The Spaniard, seeded 12th, showcased resilience and aggressive play throughout the match.

Earlier in the tournament, Davidovich Fokina ended the campaigns of Americans Learner Tien and Taylor Fritz. After his late-night victory over Fritz at 2 a.m., he displayed no sign of fatigue against Shelton on the courts at Rock Creek Park.

Davidovich Fokina capitalized on early first-serve issues from Shelton, combining heavy groundstrokes with strategic net approaches to claim the first set in 28 minutes. In the second set, despite twice saving break points, Shelton’s errors—including a double fault and a poorly executed forehand drop shot—allowed the Spaniard to gain a crucial break at 4-3. However, Shelton quickly recovered as Davidovich Fokina faltered with his forehand, returning the break.

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With the home crowd rallying behind him, Shelton held serve confidently, pushing the match toward a potential deciding set. At 5-5 and 15-15, Shelton missed an overhead, followed by a backhand error, giving Davidovich Fokina two break points. The Spaniard seized the opportunity, hitting a forehand winner at the net to break and then served out the match without faltering.

This win improved Davidovich Fokina’s 2025 record to 32-17, including five victories against top 10 players. He reached his first ATP final of the year in Delray Beach and also finished runner-up in Acapulco shortly after.

On Sunday, Davidovich Fokina will face seventh seed Alex de Minaur in pursuit of his maiden ATP title. De Minaur advanced to the final by defeating lucky loser Corentin Moutet 6-4, 6-3.

The final promises a compelling contest between two in-form players seeking to lift their first trophy of the season.

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250 Mubadala Citi DC Open WTA

Anna Kalinskaya and Leylah Fernandez Set for Mubadala Citi DC Open Final

Leylah Fernandez and Anna Kalinskaya advance to the Mubadala Citi DC Open final, both seeking titles.

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At the Mubadala Citi DC Open, Leylah Fernandez and Anna Kalinskaya will compete for the title in Sunday’s women’s final. Fernandez, the 22-year-old Canadian and 2021 US Open finalist, advanced after a grueling three-set victory against 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, winning 6-7(2), 7-6(3), 7-6(3) in three hours and sixteen minutes. Fernandez’s performance included 12 aces and marked her second top-20 win of the week. Earlier in the tournament, she defeated the top seed, Jessica Pegula.

Kalinskaya, the 26-year-old Russian ranked 48th, efficiently reached the final by defeating Emma Raducanu 6-4, 6-3 in less than half the time of Fernandez’s semifinal. Kalinskaya’s precision was highlighted by 14 backhand winners in the match. Raducanu notably had beaten Fernandez at the 2021 US Open.

Both players come into the final unseeded. Kalinskaya is seeking the first title of her career in her third tour-level final, having lost her two previous championship matches last year. Fernandez, with three career titles to her name, will be competing in her seventh final overall as she aims for her first title of the season.

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Sunday’s match promises to be a compelling contest between two determined players eager to capture a significant WTA title on the hard courts of Washington.

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250 ATP Kitzbuhel

Alexander Bublik Completes Clay-Court Sweep with Kitzbuhel Triumph

Alexander Bublik wins Kitzbuhel, completing a clay-court sweep and extending his winning streak.

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Alexander Bublik has extended his remarkable clay-court form with a victory at the Kitzbuhel tournament, securing his third title of the year and second in consecutive weeks. Riding an impressive eight-match winning streak, Bublik defeated Arthur Cazaux in the final, winning 6-4, 6-3. This marked a repeat encounter after their clash just days earlier in Gstaad, where Bublik also emerged victorious.

The top seed’s performance was marked by resilience, saving four of five break points to close out the match. Reflecting on the challenging conditions and schedule, Bublik remarked, “I can’t believe I did it as it was probably one of the toughest weeks in my life because coming from Gstaad, playing here, different conditions and raining. I used the few chances I had and I am happy to have won.”

This season, Bublik has demonstrated consistent excellence, owning a perfect 3-0 record in tour-level finals. Along with back-to-back clay titles in Gstaad and Kitzbuhel, he also claimed the Halle championship in June by defeating Daniil Medvedev. Notably, Bublik reached the quarterfinals at Roland Garros, which has helped him climb significantly in the rankings—from outside the Top 80 in March to now projected inside the Top 25.

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Looking ahead, Bublik is slated to compete next at the Cincinnati Open after withdrawing from the Toronto Masters 1000 event. His recent surge positions him as a player to watch during the North American hard-court season and bolsters his prospects of being seeded at the US Open.

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