MANAMA/STARNBERG, February 18, 2024
Mikhail Kukushkin returned to winners’ circle by lifting the trophy of the 2024 Bahrain Ministry of Interior Tennis Challenger held at the Officers Club in Manama. The capital city of Bahrain is situated on the northeastern coast of Bahrain Island. Manama is not only the economic and financial hub of the country but also a cultural melting pot that attracts visitors from around the world.
The 36-year-old from Kazakhstan, who entered the main draw of the $164,000 ATP Challenger Tour hard-court event as an alternate, advanced to the championship match with wins over Dalibor Svrcina of the Czech Republic, Alexander Ritschard from Switzerland, Abdullah Shelbayh of Jordan and fourth-seeded Czech Jakub Mensik.
Kukushkin defeated No. 5 seed Richard Gasquet of France 7-6(5), 6-4 in Saturday’s singles final. The World No. 231 broke his opponent’s serve twice and won 54 per cent of the total points played to secure victory in one hour and 45 minutes.
TITLE NO.1⃣5⃣
36-year-old Mikhail Kukushkin claims an astonishing fifteenth #ATPChallenger title, downing No.5 seed Gasquet 7-6(5), 4-6 in the Manama final pic.twitter.com/zjFMnLJGtO
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) February 17, 2024
By winning his 15th ATP Challenger Tour career title, his first since 2018 Irving, Texas, Kukushkin earned $22,370 in prize money as well as 125 ATP Ranking points. With this triumph, the veteran now holds the second most ATP Challenger titles of all active players after Facundo Bagnis of Argentina with 17 titles.
Martos Gonres/Tsitsipas triumph in doubles
In other action, Sergio Martos Gornes of Spain and Petros Tsitsipas claimed the doubles title. The No. 2 seeds battled past fourth favourites Vasil Kirkov from the United States and Patrik Niklas-Salminen of Finland 3-6, 6-3, 10-8 in one hour and 37 minutes.
By claiming their first team title, Martos Gornes and Tsitsipas split $9,350 in prize money and pocketed 125 ATP Doubles Ranking points.
