Bu, 22, makes Chinese tennis history; Pouille returns to Challenger titletown

Buyunchaokate tossed his racquet up in the air as he let out a massive roar, accompanied by the loud cheers of his home fans. The 22-year-old just became the youngest Chinese player to win multiple ATP Challenger Tour titles with his Sunday triumph at the Wuxi Open.

You could not have scripted it any better for ‘Bu’, who in front of nearly 4,000 fans, cruised past Egor Gerasimov 6-4, 6-1 in the final, capping a perfect week in which he dropped just one set.

“I just tried to play my best tennis and enjoy it on court, especially at home with full stands,” said Buyunchaokete, who goes by one name. “I really feel happy inside. I think this is the best way to win a title at home."

^{Buyunchaokete wins his second ATP Challenger Tour title at the Wuxi Open. Credit: Wuxi Open}

‘Bu’ last year won his first ATP Challenger Tour trophy in Seoul and later reached a career-high No. 164 in the PIF ATP Rankings. The Xinjang native played just two tournaments in as many months to open this season due to a foot injury, but has since returned to form.

“I think I’ve done well the past few weeks and months. I made a final, semis last week and now I won,” Buyunchaokate said. “I feel really good and I feel more confidence coming.”

In other ATP Challenger Tour action Sunday, Frenchman Lucas Pouille returned to the winners’ circle for the first time since 2019 by claiming the Danube Upper Austria Open powered by SKE. The former World No. 10 defeated Slovakian Jozef Kovalik 6-3, 6-3 in the final.

“It's my first title in five years. A lot has happened during this time. I'm extremely happy with how things are going right now. I've had a great week and I'm really happy,” Pouille said. “It's been a long time since I last won, so I was very nervous, but there was no need for it. Jozef had nothing left to lose and played freely.”

Ladies and gentleman, Lucas Pouille is back 🏆

The former World No. 10 wins his first title since 2019 with a dominant 6-3, 6-3 victory over Kovalik in Mauthausen!#ATPChallenger | @la_pouille pic.twitter.com/O1CaS8Ycaf

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) May 12, 2024

The 30-year-old has been plagued with injuries since making the 2019 Australian Open semi-finals. A year ago, Pouille was as low as No. 675 in the PIF ATP Rankings before qualifying for his home Slam. Pouille suffered a back injury in Wimbledon qualifying and tore an abdominal muscle at the Rennes Challenger in September. But now a healthy Pouille is poised to continue his resurgence.

“I want to get back into the Top 100 by the US Open and thus make it into the main draw,” said Pouille, currently No. 163 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings. “That’s the most important intermediate goal, then we’ll see.”

Another Frenchman, Titouan Droguet, was crowned champion at the Internazionali di Tennis Francavilla al Mare in Italy. The 22-year-old did not drop a set all week, overcoming home hope Jacopo Berrettini 6-3, 7-6(4) in the final to capture his first Challenger title.

^{Titouan Droguet wins the Challenger 75 event in Francavilla al Mare. Credit: Claudio Lanaro}

Alejo Lorenzo Lingua Lavallen celebrated his maiden Challenger crown at the Santos Brazil Tennis Cup, where he advanced through qualifying and won seven matches in eight days to lift the trophy. The 23-year-old Argentine, who entered the week with only four Challenger-level match wins, rallied past Lebanon’s Hady Habib 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the championship match.

“It’s incredible to take the title here. It was a very long week and I can’t believe it right now,” Lingua Lavellen said.

^{Alejo Lorenzo Lingua Lavalle reacts to winning his first Challenger title in Santos, Brazil. Credit: João Pires}

Czech Jiri Vesely was crowned champion on home soil in Prague to win his first title since 2021. The 30-year-old lefty overcame Belgian Gauthier Onclin 6-2, 3-6, 7-6(3) in the final to secure his ninth trophy at ATP Challenger Tour level.

Did You Know?
With Alejandro Tabilo's upset against Novak Djokovic in Rome, the Chilean became the sixth player since 2010 to win an ATP Challenger Tour title and down a World No. 1 in the same season. Tabilo, who won this month's ATP Challenger 175 in Aix-en-Provence, joins Luca Nardi as players to achieve the feat this season.