Ofner beats Budkov Kjaer to claim back-to-back titles

#NextGenATP Joel Schwaerzler returned to the ATP Challenger winner’s circle Sunday at the Rwanda Challenger, and in rare fashion, will meet his championship-match opponent Stefano Napolitano in the opening round of this week’s event in Kigali.

Schwaerzler, 20, beat the Italian 7-6(5), 7-6(6) in the final to cap the first week in Rwanda’s capital city. In just a matter of days, they will again stand across from each other.

“It’s never happened to me,” Schwaerzler said of the quick-turnaround rematch. “It’s an unlucky draw I think for both of us. We were the two best players this week and now to play next week, it’s tough. It was a great week for both of us and we’ll give it a shot next week as well.”

Second in the PIF ATP Live Next Gen Race, Schwaerzler’s triumph in Kigali is his second Challenger title and first since May 2024. The lefty went one step further than his runner-up finish in Lugano last week, setting him up for a Top 200 debut in the next PIF ATP Rankings.

The Kigali final started Saturday, but was postponed due to rain with Schwaerzler leading 7-6(5), 2-3. Schwaerzler returned on Sunday and applied the finishing touches on his victory.

“I remember my first title was almost two years ago, so I’m very happy to get another today,” Schwaerzler said. “After a tough loss last week in the final, it feels even better.

“My goal was to get in the qualifying for Roland Garros, which I managed to do now with this title and a final last week.”

Schwaerzler produced clutch tennis when it mattered most. Of the 12 sets Schwaerzler played this week, 10 went to a tie-break, nine of which were won by the former junior No. 1. In his second-round match against Zdenek Kolar, Schwaerzler created a remarkable 25 break chances, converting 21 of them, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

“I think I played the big points very well. I played many, many tie-breaks, a little bit of luck was involved,” Schwaerzler said. “But I managed to play a good level when it was important.”

Ofner halts Budkov Kjaer’s perfect final record, claims second consecutive title
Schwaerzler was not the only #NextGenATP player making a splash on the ATP Challenger circuit. Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, who competed at the 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, reached the Thionville Open final before falling to Schwaerzler’s countryman Sebastian Ofner 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-6(7).

Ofner has won back-to-back Challenger titles, having triumphed in St. Brieuc the week prior. On a 10-match winning streak at the Challenger level, the former No. 37 is set to return to the Top 100 for the first time since December 2024.

The 19-year-old Budkov Kjaer was aiming to join Tomas Berdych as the only teenagers to win their first five Challenger finals. Berdych went 5-0 to start his ATP Challenger career, from 2003-04. Budkov Kjaer was one of six players to claim four Challenger titles in 2025.

Rocha beats top-seeded Vallejo in Brasilia
Portugal’s Henrique Rocha lifted his third Challenger trophy at the Brasilia Tennis Open, where he downed top seed Adolfo Daniel Vallejo 6-4, 6-4 in the final. The 21-year-old avenged his previous week’s loss to Vallejo, who beat Rocha in qualifying of the ATP 250 event in Santiago.

Henrique Rocha in action at the Brasilia Tennis Open.
Henrique Rocha in action at the Brasilia Tennis Open. Credit: Luiz Candido/Luz Press

Samuel continues surge, wins third Challenger title since November
Briton Toby Samuel is playing his career-best tennis. The 23-year-old’s latest triumph came at the ITC Crete Challenger, where he won his third title at that level since November. Samuel beat countryman Harry Wendelken 6-3, 6-0 in the final.

Before arriving in Crete, Samuel captured the ITF M25 title in Vale do Lobo, Portugal. Last November, Samuel won an ITF M15 trophy before claiming back-to-back Challenger titles in Soma Bay and Manama.

Sunday's final at the Crete Challenger.
Sunday's final at the Crete Challenger. Credit: International Tennis Coaching