Dino Prizmic joins Mario Ancic in Challenger history

Challenger

How #NextGenATP Prizmic has joined countryman Ancic in Challenger history

The 19-year-old claims third Challenger title in dominant fashion

Bratislava Open Dino Prizmic in action during the Bratislava Challenger final. By ATP Staff

Dino Prizmic is following in the footsteps of a former Top 10 standout and fellow Split, Croatia native Mario Ancic.

The 19-year-old triumphed at the ATP Challenger Tour event in Bratislava on Sunday to become just the second Croatian — alongside Ancic — to win three Challenger titles as a teenager. Prizmic was dominant all week at the Bratislava Open, where he did not drop a set en route to the title and defeated Frenchman Valentin Royer 6-4, 7-6(6) in the final.

The #NextGenATP star Prizmic, who was competing for the first time since winning the Zagreb Challenger last month, has surged six places to fourth in the PIF Live Race To Jeddah following his title. Jakub Mensik, Joao Fonseca and Learner Tien are the top three, respectively, in the 20-and-under race.

“Back to back 🏆,” Prizmic wrote in an Instagram post. “Huge thanks to my team, my family and the tournament for the support, it was a pleasure to play here ✊🏼. Thank God.”

Former World No. 7 Ancic won three of his four Challenger titles as a teenager and even defeated Rafael Nadal in the 2003 Hamburg Challenger final before breaking through on the ATP Tour. Prizmic earned his first Challenger crown in August 2023 in Banja Luka.

In other Challenger action, Australia’s Tristan Schoolkate claimed his biggest career title at the Lexus Ilkley Open, a grass-court event at 125 level. The 24-year-old needed a deciding set in four of his five matches, including a hard-fought final against British wild card Jack Pinnington Jones, whom Schoolkate overcame 6-7(8), 6-4, 6-3 in blustery conditions.

Tristan Schoolkate climbs to a career-high No. 106 following his Ilkley triumph. Credit: Jack Gray

“It’s fantastic,” Schoolkate said. “I thought I started pretty well [in the final] and the crowd got behind him. He lifted his level a little bit and the conditions are very tough. We both struggled on our serves, we usually both serve better. He had a bit of a lead in the second set and I just had to release a bit of tension I think. I found a way to dig out the second set and I just stayed calm in the third set. I just tried to stay as composed as possible towards the end and bring my best.”

Schoolkate, who serve and volleyed to great effect — a nod to his upbringing on Australian grass, is a three-time Challenger champion who is now at a career-high No. 106 in the PIF ATP Rankings. The Perth native notably took a set off Jannik Sinner at this year’s Australian Open.

Italian Andrea Pellegrino lifted a trophy on home soil at the Internazionali di Tennis Città di Perugia. The 28-year-old, who downed Nerman Fatic 6-2, 6-4 in the final, is now tied at his career-high No. 136, which he initially reached in September 2022.

Andrea Pellegrino triumphs on home soil in Perugia. Credit: Yuri Serafini

“I feel different in my mind and in my game a lot the last few months,” said Pellegrino when asked about tying his career-high mark from three years ago. “With my new team, coaches and physical trainers, I’m really happy with the work we are doing.”

Joao Lucas Reis Da Silva captured his maiden Challenger title in his fourth final at that level. The 25-year-old did not drop a set all week at the AAT Challenger Santander edición Santa Fe. Reis Da Silva defeated home hope and seventh seed Lautaro Midon 6-4, 6-3 in the final, sending the Brazilian to No. 266 in the PIF ATP Rankings, just seven spots off his career high.

Marco Trungelliti spoiled the hopes of 20-year-old Spaniard Daniel Merida at the Open Sopra Steria in Lyon. The eighth-seeded Argentine fought off Merida 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 to claim his fourth Challenger title.

Marco Trungelliti wins his fourth Challenger title. Credit: Antoine Merlet

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