STARNBERG, February 17, 2025
After two exciting weeks in the Canary Islands featuring back-to-back Tenerife Challenger events, one part of the ATP Challenger Tour now shifts its focus to continental Africa for the next stage of the season. The tour heads to the sub-Saharan region, beginning with the Brazzaville Challenger in the Republic of the Congo, followed by two consecutive tournaments in Kigali, Rwanda. This African swing presents a unique opportunity for players to compete on a different continent, gain valuable ranking points, and adapt to new conditions as they continue their journey on the Challenger circuit.
The Brazzaville Challenger is being held this week at the Academie de Tennis de Brazzaville. Taking place in the capital city of Brazzaville, the second edition of the $60,000 clay-court tournament provides players with a unique experience in a vibrant setting along the Congo River.
However, the tournament witnessed an unusual start, as only two players contested the qualifying draw. In a match between two unranked players, Dillon Beckles from the United States defeated local wild card Cheik Pandzou Ekoume 6-1, 6-1 on Sunday to make his ATP Challenger Tour debut this week.
Match of the year has just begun! Dillon Beckles and Cheik Pandzou Ekoume are the only players in the Brazzaville qualifying draw. One of them will debut in the ATP Rankings and make it to the main event. pic.twitter.com/4uxG5yQeGX
— Damian Kust (@damiankust) February 16, 2025
The 18-year-old will play top seed Calvin Hemery of France in the first round of the main draw. The World No. 194 seems to feel comfortable in Brazzaville, winning the title of the ITF World Tennis Tour M25 event two years ago. Hemery is seeking his second career crown on the Challenger Circuit following his triumph in 2017 in Tampere, Finland.
The bottom half of the singles draw is led by Frenchman Geoffrey Blancaneaux. The 26-year-old will start his title bid against Samir Hamza of Algeria. Max Houkes from the Netherlands and Maxime Chazal of France round out the top four seeds. Houkes will take on 42-year-old wild card entry Kryce-Didier Momo-Kassa from Gabon. Chazal opposes Moroccan alternate Yassine Smiej.
