PUNE/STARNBERG, February 25, 2024

Valentin Vacherot of Monaco claimed his third consecutive ATP Challenger Tour title of the season with a hard-fought three-set win over Australia’s Adam Walton and denying him a double crown at the Maharashtra Open PMR Challenger. The $133,250 hard-court event was organised by the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association and held at the Mahalunge Balewadi Stadium.

In a two-hour 39-minute marathon championship match on Sunday, it was third-seeded Walton who won the first set 6-3 and looked comfortable before Vacherot bounced back to claim the second set in a tiebreak.

In the final set, fourth favourite Vacherot took an early break and led 5-3 before Walton levelled the set and took the match into a deciding set tiebreak. It was Walton who led 5-3 in the decider before Vacherot won four points in a row to secure a 3-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(5) victory.

Third Challenger title in a row 🔥@val_vacherot battles past Walton 3-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(5) to lift the trophy in Pune!#ATPChallenger | @msltatennis pic.twitter.com/lEFL9rVM4O

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) February 25, 2024

After winning back-to-back Challenger titles in Nonthaburi, Thailand, this was Vacherot’s third title on the ATP Challenger tour in 2024, his fourth overall. The 25-year-old has now won 19 of his last 20 matches on the tour.

Vacherot earned $18,230 in prize money as well as 100 ATP Ranking points and will break into the world’s top 150 for the first time.