Kumstat back on track; Schwaerzler, Budkov Kjaer battle for Next Gen ATP Finals spots
After a brief setback, Jan Kumstat is back within touching distance of a debut appearance at the Next Gen ATP Finals.
With the PIF ATP Live Race To Reggio Calabria entering its decisive weeks, the 19-year-old Czech has surged back into contention after reaching the Taiwan Santaizi Challenger final. With his run to the title match, Kumstat jumped four places to eighth in the standings, putting him firmly in the hunt for a debut appearance at the 20-and-under event.
Having captured three consecutive Challenger titles in August, Kumstat then won just one of his next five matches before arriving in Taipei. However, the 6'6" talent rediscovered his form with an impressive run to the final, which included a first-round victory against fellow Next Gen ATP Finals hopeful Joel Schwaerzler.
Schwaerzler, who is ninth in the Live Race, remains firmly in contention for a debut appearance at the 20-and-under showpiece, which will take place from 9-13 December in Italy. Unlike 10th-placed Felix Balshaw, the Austrian is in action this week, competing at the ATP Challenger in Matsuyama.
Nicolai Budkov Kjaer is another player hoping to secure a return to the season-ending event after reaching the semi-finals on his debut last year. The 20-year-old Norwegian is 11th in the Live Race and could move ahead of Balshaw with a victory in his opening match in Orleans.
PIF ATP Live Race To Reggio Calabria as of 9 November (View Full Standings here)
| Player | Points |
| 1) Rafael Jodar | 3,234 |
| 2) Joao Fonseca | 1,200 |
| 3) Martin Landaluce | 822 |
| 4) Moise Kouame | 419 |
| 5) Federico Cina | 415 |
| 6) Rei Sakamoto | 405 |
| 7) Darwin Blanch | 380 |
| 8) Jan Kumstat | 341 |
| 9) Joel Schwaerzler | 334 |
| 10) Felix Balshaw | 322 |
| 11) Nicolai Budkov Kjaer | 321 |
Martin Landaluce, meanwhile, is on course to return to the Next Gen ATP Finals for a second consecutive year following an impressive season on the ATP Tour. The 20-year-old Spaniard enjoyed quarter-final runs at ATP Masters 1000 events in Miami and Rome and is third in the Live Race.
Landaluce could be joined in Italy by Moise Kouame, Federico Cina, Rei Sakamoto and Darwin Blanch, who are all pushing to secure debut spots at the prestigious 20-and-under event.
