Stefano Napolitano Clinches Men’s Singles Title at Bengaluru Open 2024 ATP Challenger Series
Italy’s Stefano Napolitano staged a comeback to defeat South Korea’s Seongchan Hong in the final and claim the men’s singles title at the Bengaluru Open 2024 ATP Challenger Series event. The match took place at the KSLTA Tennis Stadium on Sunday. Napolitano, who was seeded seventh, secured the victory with a score of 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 in a match that lasted two hours and 23 minutes. He walked away with a prize purse of $18230 (approximately Rs 15 lakh) and 100 ranking points.
Napolitano’s last ATP Challenger title dates back to 2016, so the win on Sunday was a significant achievement for the Italian player. His powerful groundstrokes were the key to his success, and despite struggling with his first serve in the opening set, he managed to turn the tide in his favor as the match progressed.
In the earlier rounds, Napolitano had defeated former world no. 25 Vasek Pospisil of Canada and home favorite Sumit Nagal. Although he faced challenges in the final, Napolitano’s determination and consistency allowed him to secure the victory and celebrate his achievement on the court.
The momentum shifted in Napolitano’s favor as the match progressed, and he capitalized on this by breaking Hong in the first game of the deciding set. Despite Hong’s efforts to resist, Napolitano maintained his lead and sealed the victory by hitting an inside-out forehand winner in the ninth game of the set, followed by a backhand winner that marked the end of the match.
Napolitano’s win at the Bengaluru Open 2024 ATP Challenger Series is a testament to his skill and resilience on the court. His performance throughout the tournament showcased his determination and ability to rise to the occasion, ultimately leading to a well-deserved victory in the final match.
The Bengaluru Open 2024 ATP Challenger Series provided an exciting platform for tennis enthusiasts and showcased exceptional talent from around the world. Napolitano’s triumph in the men’s singles category added a thrilling conclusion to the tournament, leaving fans and fellow players in awe of his remarkable achievement.
