Marcos Giron has produced a strong start to the season at 32, emerging as one of the contenders at the ATP Challenger 175 event in Phoenix. The American opened the year with back-to-back ATP semifinals in Hong Kong and Auckland and has pushed most opponents to the limit even in defeat.

“I do think this is the best tennis I’ve been playing of my life, this first quarter,” he says. “Lost a couple tough ones in February and one against [Jakub] Mensik [in Indian Wells] last week. You’re only as good as your next point, really.”

Giron was edged by eventual quarterfinalist Learner Tien in a fifth set at the Australian Open. Three of his other narrow losses came against Top 15 players. Alexander Bublik rallied from a set down to advance in Hong Kong. Taylor Fritz prevailed in a final-set tiebreak at the Dallas Open, and Casper Ruud held on in Delray Beach after facing two points from defeat. At the BNP Paribas Open, 12th-ranked Jakub Mensik beat Giron 7-5, 7-6 (1).

“The margins are so small. Fritz is 6-foot-5 and has one of the best serves in the world. Mensik serves great. A few of them, I lost a couple of ‘breakers where it’s like, ‘Too bad.’ But they’ll also turn and go my way. I’m playing great tennis,” believes Giron.

At the Phoenix Challenger he produced a dramatic win, saving four match points to beat University of Arizona standout Jay Friend, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9). He now faces two-time Arizona Tennis Classic champion Nuno Borges as he tries to extend his run in his debut at the 175 level.

Says Giron of being Vuori’s OG on the ATP Tour since debuting the partnership in 2023, “Their clothing and what they stand for as a company is amazing. To help bring them into the tour is cool for me. Their designs are awesome.”

Two hip surgeries early in his career are a distant footnote. Giron has been ranked inside the Top 100 every week since Aug. 31, 2020. The 2014 NCAA champion peaked at No. 37 in August 2024 shortly after his first ATP title at Newport. “There’s a lot of losses and it’s easy to get down on yourself. I’m fortunate that I’ve got the disposition that I feel like good things are gonna come. I’m proud to keep pushing and working at it,” he reflects.

After an opening-round loss in BNP Paribas Open qualifying at Indian Wells on March 2, 18-year-old Darwin Blanch shifted course and accepted a last-minute wild card into the ATP Challenger 175 in Phoenix. He moved from qualifying into the main draw and on Tuesday produced the biggest victory of his young career, defeating 52nd-ranked left-hander Terence Atmane 6-4, 6-4.

Reflecting on the week that followed Indian Wells, Blanch said, “I stayed training there for two days. I was doubting if I was going to come here or Cap Cana.” He credited his serve and returns for carrying him through the match. “It feels amazing. I’m super happy with the way I went into the match,” he says following the 6-4, 6-4 victory. “I was confident in my game and feel like I served super well. That helped me in the important moments. And also returned super well.”

Blanch spent several years at Juan Carlos Ferrero’s academy in Alicante, where he developed a first-hand appreciation for Carlos Alcaraz’s rise after seeing “how he really is off the court, training, and putting a lot of intensity and work in,” and has more recently relocated his training base to Buenos Aires. Ranked inside the top 300 this week and having peaked at No. 272 less than a month ago, he is focused on two immediate goals. “The goal right now is to get into the French Open qualies. I’m not that far away if I do well at a few more tournaments. It would be nice to also win a Challenger,” he shares.

Off court, Blanch has another item on his list. “I still haven’t gotten my driver’s license yet. It’s something I definitely want,” Blanch says with a smile. “At the same time, my dad and I are like, it’s not like I’m gonna drive anytime soon or need it. So we’re probably going to wait on that for now.”

Also in Phoenix, Jamaica’s Blaise Bicknell is regaining momentum after hip surgery and a long recovery. Bicknell, who won an ITF M15 in San Jose, Costa Rica and became the second Jamaican-raised player to claim an ATP Challenger title a little over two years ago, said, “I kind of rushed it when I was just coming back. I actually ended up pulling my quad in the same hip that I had surgery,” he shares. After dropping as low as No. 1054 last June, he reports confidence from recent wins. “I played a Futures last week and won it, so that’s given me some confidence,” he says. Bicknell qualified at the Arizona Tennis Classic by rallying past Thai-Son Kwiatkowski and noted the Phoenix Country Club’s relaxed atmosphere: “I’m from Jamaica so everything’s kinda laid back there. This event kind of reminds of me that, all the people are very nice and friendly.”

Kamil Majchrzak drove into the Arizona week determined to turn a high‑profile exposure into tangible results at the Challenger 175 in Phoenix. After a first-time meeting with Novak Djokovic at Indian Wells three days earlier, the Pole said he wanted to build on the match and add valuable minutes and points to an uneven start to the season.

“I came here with my coach, wife and physio. We definitely are not quiet,” he said ahead of his Arizona Tennis Classic opener. “We have some nice playlists with different type of music. We talk and joke a lot. Otherwise the trip might get boring. It was fun. At Indian Wells we were all driving a bit, but here my coach took this responsibility on.”

Majchrzak, who began 2026 with a 4-6 record, called the Challenger 175 a rare chance to accumulate matches and ranking points. “It’s a great opportunity for all of us to get extra matches and extra points.” He described the level of competition as closer to a 250 event and said the Indian Wells encounter left him with belief and momentum.

“This feels like a 250 event more than a Challenger. I played a good match against Novak, I believe I could still do a little more, but that’s always your feeling after, It was a great experience for me and I believe I will get a lot of confidence from that match. I will try to show it here.”

Last month Majchrzak reached a career-high ranking of No. 55 at age 30. He has also altered his approach over the years, prioritizing calm and aggression on court.

“I’m still getting more relaxed on court, which allows me to use more of my abilities, making my opponents’ life difficult on court. So I believe what I’m looking for is this calmness so I can use my skills as much as possible,” Majchrzak explains. “Which, at the age of 20, wasn’t as obvious for me. That’s the biggest change. I play much more aggressive and have much more play in my hands. I still believe I have a couple of years ahead of me, just like Novak!”

Off court he remains mindful of moments that capture attention. “I’m just happy at the very end I could help make it up to the kid. I would still prefer people would come say, ‘great win in round two,’” he notes.