YOKOHAMA, March 4, 2018
Yasutaka Uchiyama clinched the title of the $75,000 Keio Challenger International Tennis Tournament 2018 held on hard courts at Keio University in Yokohama. The unseeded Hokkaido native emerged victorious from the all-Japanese-singles final against the tournament’s No. 7 Tatsuma Ito 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Uchiyama broke his opponent’s serve three times and won three points more to prevail after exactly two hours of play.
“First of all, I would like to say thank you to staff including Mr.Sakai the tournament director and the students of Keio University, Sponsors who have worked to create this tournament. Especially for the students of Keio University, I know it was not hard to run a tournament, waking up early and setting up the courts and the events like kid tennis clinic, throughout the week I felt the energy from you guys and respect your work,” Uchiyama told.
“I appreciate to those people who have came to watch the match and the cheer made me fight until the last point.
“I always forget to say Mr. Masuda, the coaches name, but I really appreciate for always supporting me.
“To Mr. Ito this time I won, but without you, I think I could not be standing here at this stage it is because you practiced with me since I was a junior.
“It was really tough week for me but from tomorrow me and Mr. Ito have to move to China for the next tournament, and the new journey will begin so, I will hope continue to do my very best, so I hope to receive your support.”
The 25-year-old lifted his second ATP Challenger career trophy, his second on home soil following his triumph in Kyoto last year. He takes away $10,800 in prize money as well as 80 ATP ranking points.
Photo Gallery (by Keio Challenger):
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- Tatsuma Ito
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- Yasutaka Uchiyama and Tatsuma Ito
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- Yasutaka Uchiyama
