ZHANGJIAGANG/STARNBERG, September 3, 2023
The ATP Challenger Tour is back in China for the first time since 2019. Frenchman Terence Atmane captured the title of the 2023 International Challenger Zhangjiagang, the fourth edition of the $80,000 hard-court event held at the Tennis Academy Of China Zhangjiagang Branch. Zhangjiagang is a vibrant and picturesque city located in the southeastern part of Jiangsu Province and is known for its scenic beauty, rich cultural heritage, and rapid economic development.
Atmane, No. 2 seed of the 32-man singles draw, battled his way to the championship match with wins over local wild card entry Fajing Sun, US-American alternate Alafia Ayeni, fifth-seeded Australian Li Tu, and No. 7 seed Ricardas Berankis of Lithuania.
The 21-year-old from Boulogne-Sur-Mer cruised past Belarussian qualifier Mikalai Haliak 6-1, 6-2 in Sunday’s final. Atmane dominated the match right from the beginning, struck seven aces and won all of his 22 first-service points. He broke his rival’s serve four times to secure victory in only 43 minutes.
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Following five triumphs on the ITF World Tennis Tour, Atmane clinched his maiden trophy on the ATP Challenger Tour. The World No. 218 pocketed $10,840 in prize money as well as 75 ATP Ranking points.
Atmane is projected to crack the Top 180 for the first time and will stay in China for another event, competing in next week’s Shanghai Challenger.
