LILLE/STARNBERG, March 3, 2024
Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech captured the title of the sixth edition of the Play In Challenger in Lille. The top seed of the €120,950 indoor hard-court event saved two match points to outlast Joris De Loore of Belgium 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(8) in Sunday’s singles final.
Lille, located in northern France near the border with Belgium, is a vibrant and dynamic city with about 235,000 in inhabitants known for its rich history, cultural heritage, and thriving economy. As the capital of the Hauts-de-France region, Lille has evolved into a bustling metropolis while retaining its charming Old World ambiance. The ATP Challenger Tour 100 tournament was held at the Tennis Club Lillois Lille Metropole, the oldest and most significant tennis club in the city.
Rinderknech advanced to the championship match with wins over Leandro Riedi from Switzerland, local wild card entry Lucas Pouille, Billy Harris of Great Britain and Otto Virtanen of Finland. The 28-year-old withstood 18 aces and broke his rival one time to succeed in two hours and 31 minutes.
The moment @arthurrinder captured his 6th career Challenger title ✊#ATPChallenger | @PlayinLille pic.twitter.com/Dy7aCF7Jmw
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) March 3, 2024
By lifting his sixth ATP Challenger career trophy, his first of the season and second on home soil following his triumph in Rennes 2020, Rinderknech earns €16,550 in prize money as well as 100 ATP Ranking points.
