The 20-year-old is ninth in PIF ATP Live Next Gen Race

Frenchman Felix Balshaw capped an unforgettable week at the Rafa Nadal Academy by claiming his maiden ATP Challenger trophy.

Competing in just his 10th event at ATP Challenger level, the 20-year-old went all the way to the title, downing Inaki Montes-De La Torre 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 in Sunday’s Rafa Nadal Open by Movistar final.

“A moment I’ll never forget,” Balshaw wrote on Instagram. “A huge thank you to my team, my family, and everyone who supports me every day. This wouldn’t be possible without you.

“There have been tough days, losses, doubts and moments when things weren’t going my way. But I’ve learned that you have to keep believing and you have to keep working hard. This title is a reward for all the hard work and sacrifices, and for everyone who believes in me.”

Following his title run, Balshaw is up to ninth in the PIF ATP Live Next Gen Race. He is aiming to qualify for the 20-and-under Next Gen ATP Finals for the first time.

Balshaw made his ATP Tour debut the week before winning the Manacor Challenger at the Winston-Salem Open, where he advanced through qualifying. Earlier this season, Balshaw was a finalist at the Lyon and Targu Mures Challengers.

Balshaw, who plays with a one-handed backhand, is the son of England’s former rugby player Iain Balshaw.

University of Texas signee Dodig returns to winner’s circle
Croatian Matej Dodig captured his second Challenger crown at the Como Lake Challenger, where he ousted Peru’s Juan Pablo Varillas 6-3, 7-6(5) in the clay-court final. Dodig, 21, announced in July his commitment to the University of Texas, with the fall 2026 semester set to be his first with the Longhorns.

Mena, Simakin and Kravchenko also triumph
Argentine Facundo Mena was crowned champion at the CT PORTO CUP in Portugal, going one step further than his previous week’s runner-up finish in Augsburg. The 33-year-old defeated Hugo Dellien 7-6(4), 6-4 in the final.

Ilia Simakin also went one better than his previous outing. The 22-year-old reached the Istanbul final in early August and upon returning to action last week at the International Challenger-Zhangjiagang, Simakin collected his second Challenger title of the season. Simakin raced past Thailand’s Kasidit Samrej 6-3, 6-1 in the championship match.

Georgii Kravchenko won the ATP Challenger 50 event in Plovdiv, Bulgaria to claim his first title at that level. The 26-year-old cruised past Yanaki Milev 6-0, 6-2 in a 72-minute final.