KIGALI March 8, 2025

Valentin Royer will compete in his second consecutive final of the Rwanda Challenger. Following his triumph last week at the ATP Challenger Tour 75 event, the 23-year-old Frenchman has reached the title match of this week’s Challenger 100 tournament.

Royer defeated Dutchman Max Houkes 7-6(7), 6-2 in the semi-finals on Saturday. The No. 4 seed in Kigali sent down five aces and won 80 per cent of his first-service points. Royer broke his rival three times to secure victory in one hour and 36 minutes.

The World No. 151 will take on Dutch alternate Guy den Ouden on Sunday. The 22-year-old Utrech native ended the run of French qualifier Luka Pavlovic, winning 6-3, 6-4. Den Ouden didn’t face a break point and capitalized on both of his own two break-point opportunities to advance in 61 minutes.

One win away

Guy Den Ouden moves into his second career Challenger final with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Pavlovic in Kigali!#ATPChallenger | @RWAChallenger pic.twitter.com/aj8EO6KPDw

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) March 8, 2025

Den Ouden, a former Top 20 junior, is seeking his second ATP Challenger Tour career title after lifting his maiden trophy in Dobrich, Bulgaria last year. Royer is bidding for his third Challenger career crown.

Banthia/Donski take doubles title

Later in the afternoon, Siddhant Banthia of India and Alexander Donski from Bulgaria clinched the doubles title. The No. 4 seeds battled past No. 3 seeds Geoffrey Blancaneaux of France and Czech Zdenek Kolar, 6-4, 5-7, 10-8 in one hour and 37 minutes.

By winning their first team title, Banthia and Donski split $4,980 in prize money as well as 100 ATP Doubles Ranking points.