CHARLESTON/STARNBERG, September 30, 2024
Edas Butvilas capped a dream week by winning his maiden title on the ATP Challenger Tour. The 20-year-old Lithuanian lifted the trophy of the LTP Challenger in Charleston, South Carolina.
Butvilas, who entered the main draw as a lucky loser, defeated US-American teenager Nishesh Basavareddy 6-4, 6-3 in Sunday’s singles final. The former Top 10 Junior fought past James Trotter of Japan in the first round in three sets followed by wins over third-seeded Australian Tristan Schoolkate, Bernard Tomic of Australia and No. 8 seed Tristan Boyer from the United States to reach the championship match of the ATP Challenger Tour 75 hard-court event.
Butvilas saved six of the seven break points he faced in the final and broke Basavareddy’s serve four times to prevail after one hour and 31 minutes.
Charleston Champ has a nice ring to it
20-year-old Edas Butvilas becomes the first Lucky Loser winner of the year, downing Basavareddy 6-4, 6-3 for the title#OnTheRise pic.twitter.com/4w5vLZxzuP
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) September 29, 2024
“My serve felt really good this week. I was aggressive and I felt great. It was going well,” Butvilas said.
Following two triumphs on the ITF World Tennis Tour, Butvilas earned his first Challenger career title and pocketed $11,200 in prize money as well as 75 ATP Ranking points.
“It feels amazing,” said Butvilas, who won the 2021 Wimbledon Championships Boys’ doubles title partnering Alejandro Manzanera Pertusa and the 2022 French Open Boys’ doubles title alongside Mili Poljicak.
“But it was mentally tough, but physically, too. It is really hot here and during qualies I struggled with cramps. I had many tough challenges.”
The second edition of the LTP Challenger offered a total prize purse $82,000 and was hosted by the Live To Play Tennis (LTP) Academy in Charleston, a historic coastal city known for its well-preserved architecture, charming cobblestone streets, and rich cultural heritage.
Visitors are drawn to its picturesque waterfront, historic plantations, and landmarks like Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired. Charleston is also renowned for its Southern hospitality and vibrant culinary scene, blending traditional Lowcountry cuisine with modern flavors. The city’s beauty and historical significance make it a popular tourist destination.
