YOKKAICHI/STARNBERG, March 29, 2026
Rio Noguchi captured the title of the 2026 Yokkaichi Challenger. The No. 7 seed of the $63,000 hard-court event emerged victorious from the all-Japanese singles final with Yasutaka Uchiyama, winning 5-7, 7-6(5), 6-3 on Sunday.
Noguchi advanced to the championship match with wins in the top half of the draw over Tung-Lin Wu of Chinese Taipei, Australian alternate Li Tu, Liam Broady of Great Britain and Briton Harry Wendelke.
The 27-year-old Fukuoka native withstood nine aces and broke Uchiyama’s serve four times to secure victory in two hours and 44 minutes.
Make that ✌️ titles in ’26 🇯🇵
[7] Noguchi secures the top prize on home soil 5-7, 7-6(5), 6-3 against his countryman Uchiyama#ATPChallenger | 📍Yokkaichi pic.twitter.com/gsKuWeIjyk
— ATP Challenger (@ATPChallenger) March 29, 2026
Noguchi earned his third ATP Challenger Tour career title following two triumphs in Nonthaburi, Thailand last and this year. The world No. 245 collected $9,500 in prize money as well as 50 ATP Ranking points.
The fifth edition of the Yokkaichi Challenger was hosted by the Yokkaichi Tennis Center and offered a total prize purse of $63,000. Yokkaichi is an important industrial city located along Ise Bay in Mie Prefecture. Known as a key hub for Japan’s petrochemical and manufacturing industries, it plays a significant role in the country’s economy while also offering a blend of urban convenience and coastal scenery.
Despite its industrial roots, Yokkaichi has a quieter, local charm, with attractions such as Tarusaka Park providing green spaces for relaxation and seasonal beauty. The city is also well connected to major destinations like Nagoya, making it a convenient base for exploring the region.
