#luedenscheid challenger

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Luedenscheid Ch F: Raphael Collignon [Alt] def. Botic van de Zandschulp [1] 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 Match Stats

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Botic was dominant in the first set until the beginning of the second set (6-3, 2-0), but as soon as R. Collignon figured out the rhythm starting from going after his backhands, the first seed lost faith in his shots that even if he tried to come back with the break-backs happening in the third set. As a result, R. Collignon created 3 more break points than Botic (15 to 12), converting 7 of them as the match progressed.

Besides, it appeared that both players had their own service game strengths throughout this match. Even though R. Collignon scored 2 more aces than Botic (5 to 3), Botic still won 5% more first serve points to get himself out of some troubles. However, as the first seed was unable to regain his level under pressure, even though he only double-faulted four times, he could only win 29% of his second serve points, 12% lesser than R. Collignon throughout the match.

This marked R. Collignon's maiden Challenger-level title, as well as his first Top 100 win, propelling his rank to 216 live. However, he could not get a Special Exempt for the Bonn Challenger as this was a Saturday final, having to survive the qualification rounds as he will face Adrian Oetzbach in the first qualification round. It would still be a packed week, but it could be a fun one to follow!

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📸 🎥 ATP official website

Parts of the third set became topsy-turvy as R. Collignon dialed in even further in this match, but he redirected Botic enough for him to create his break point due to the latter's slice error for his break point, which was immediately converted to 2-0. The first seed then had a break point, which was saved through his +1 forehand error to Botic's forehand error, but there was a slick backhand pass that set up another break point before a rare forehand winner secured the break-back to 2-1.

However, the moment did not last long because a drive volley being fired too wide topped off an erratic service game from the Dutch, where he got broken back to 3-1 before Botic's rare working smash allowed him to break back again to 3-2. Somehow, R. Collignon capitalized on the fading defense from Botic by smashing his way again for his 2-point lead, ultimately breaking to 4-2 before holding his serves to 5-2. Since then, he had not looked back, taking the third set 6-3 to secure his maiden Challenger-level title.

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📸 ATP official website

The second set became a turntable once R. Collignon absorbed some pace little by little, taking advantage of Botic's errors that questioned the trust to his shots. To start, Botic fired another forehand winner to create his break point, going after R. Collignon's shots that went too long (mostly from his forehand side) that resulted in the early break to 1-0. The Dutch first seed then consolidated to 2-0, and the latter kept in touch with a service game hold to 2-1.

However, in the next game, while Botic had fair chances through some of his game points, R. Collignon tried to assert more pressure as the match went deeper. A failed slice to the Belgian alternate's forehand secured his break to 2-2, and it took several consecutive holds before even if Botic had some break points, one of which due to R. Collignon's forehand mishit (a little bit too wide), the eighth game ended with the latter's massive hold to 4-3.

Ultimately, R. Collignon started the tenth game by pressing Botic from the baseline, starting from his backhands to cause trust issues in his shots. This started to pay off as the Belgian smashed his way for his one-point lead. Even though Botic saved the earlier set point made due to an error, the former still created his second set point through a timely forehand winner, which was foiled through a failed volley. Ultimately, a forehand error from Botic made R. Collignon break for the second set to 6-4, thus forcing the deciding set for the outcome.

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📸 ATP official website

Meanwhile, in Luedenscheid...

The Challenger-level action kept going as first seed Botic van de Zandschulp, who advanced due to Titouan Droguet's retirement down 1-3 in the first set, took on alternate Raphael Collignon, who straightforwardly defeated Kamil Majchrzak 6-1, 6-3 in the semifinal. While weigh of shots in this match became another matter, it turned out to test their range consistency throughout the match, where taking opportunities could also play a significant role for either player to stand out.

After holding his serves to 1-0, Botic had a confident start by firing his fourth-shot forehand winner to create his break point, converting it to 2-0 as he outhit R. Collignon's forehand side. It might have taken a while for him to consolidate to 3-0, but a timely volley coming after his drop shot doubled his break to 4-0. However, a slip of his service game resulted in the break-back to 4-1, but he bounced back to break back again (5-1) as he outplayed R. Collignon.

By then, the Dutch first seed should have served for the first set. Nonetheless, his forehand errors (which were fired too long) neutralized his set points, with R. Collignon breaking several points later (5-2) before he held to 5-3, forcing the necessary issue. Somehow, the former found himself out of trouble and took the first set 6-3 with hopes to dominate the second set to clinch the title.

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Luedenscheid Ch F: Duje Ajdukovic [Q] def. Hugo Dellien [8] 7-5, 6-4 Match Stats

📸 ATP Challenger Livestream (via website)

Ajdukovic's power game surely helped him overpowering H. Dellien from the baseline, especially in some important moments. Despite a shaky start from both players, Ajdukovic tried to stay steady from the baseline, digging deep until he could convert 66% of his break points when H. Dellien's balance went off enough thanks to Ajdukovic's ability to find his lines.

Service game-wise, Ajdukovic still managed to score 6 aces to complement his 71% first serves winning percentage. His risky service game often resulted in frequent double faults, which was visible with him double-faulting six more times than H. Dellien, fading his second serves winning percentage 4% lesser than H. Dellien. However, his first serves often carried some other important moments, often aiming through H. Dellien's shots during the rallies as aforementioned.

This marked Ajdukovic's maiden Challenger title in his maiden Challenger final, bringing him back on track by re-entering the Top 250, landing at 216 to vie for the Australian Open 2024 qualifying rounds. His 3 ITF titles from this year also proved sceptics wrong, with some important runs could possibly backing up his comeback. Steady but sure, striving for more.

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📸 ATP Challenger Livestream (via website)

An eternity after the rain delay...

Ajdukovic smoothly held his service game to 5-3 before he fumbled H. Dellien's 3 game points before his backhand down-the-line winner created his initial match point. However, H. Dellien saved those to hold his service game 5-4.

As a result, Ajdukovic had the chance to serve for the title. Despite several hiccups, he managed to keep himself balanced enough to result in H. Dellien's forehand error in converting his latest match point, winning his maiden Challenger title as a result, taking the second set 6-4.

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📸 ATP Challenger Livestream (via website)

Ajdukovic's point construction became another talking point in the second set. An intuitive volley averted the damage called a double fault made earlier all the way before he held to 2-2. Successfully pressing H. Dellien from the baseline once again, H. Dellien's final forehand turned out to be out of the line, resulting in Ajdukovic's break of serve to 3-2.

However, after 2 smooth holds from both players, there was a light rain right after H. Dellien held to 4-3, which turned out to go heavier. As a result, as this was written, the match is still suspended, and will continue sooner or later since the courts are already dry. The good news is the doubles finals are also played simultaneously to prevent further delays, something that might be considered as "should have done" to prevent further delays.

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📸 ATP Challenger Livestream (via website)

In Luedenscheid Challenger, the final finally took place between qualifier Duje Ajdukovic, who advanced at the expense of Raul Brancaccio's retirement down 3-6, 1-2 in the second set, against eighth seed Hugo Dellien, who had to dig deep in a possible match of the week-nominee encounter against third seed Benoit Paire 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-3. Interestingly, due to continuous rain, all semifinals matches were played earlier today, completing most of the rounds in just two days.

Back to this match, although depth and balance was also necessary to stand out in this set, it appeared that both players had a shaky start with an exchange of breaks to start the first set (1-1), both service games ending in a double fault to top it off. Somehow, Ajdukovic tried to bring H. Dellien off the balance when he tried to find his angles, where his forehand went too wide for the former's break point before a double fault secured Ajdukovic's break to 4-3.

Surviving being a point down, Ajdukovic tried to maintain his moment with his point construction. His swift volley allowed him an equalizer before he held 5-3, but his balance went off again when H. Dellien broke his serve 2 games later when he should have served for the first set (5-5). H. Dellien's other errors ensured Ajdukovic another break-back, which enabled him to serve for the first set for the second set, which he successfully did with surviving 2 break points to take the first set 7-5 when H. Dellien's forehand side got run over to top it off.

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Luedenscheid Ch D QF: Gabriel Roveri Sidney/Akira Santillan def. Daniel Cukierman/Sem Verbeek 6-3, 1-6, [10-7] Match Stats

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Roveri Sidney/Santillan took the balls early and tried to bring Cukierman/Verbeek's balance off, which was most of the case in the tie-breaker. Despite staying solid in the first set, the former's balance went off in the deciding points instead where Cukierman/Verbeek's attacking mode worked more, earning them a 100% break point conversion rate than their 33%. The same anticipation started to pay off in the match tie-breaker, where Roveri Sidney's swift backhand return made the difference midway.

On the other hand, while both pairs had a 77% first serves winning percentage with Roveri Sidney/Santillan scoring 4 aces, second serves became another troublesome aspect for Cukierman/Verbeek. The latter was only able to score 18% lesser points from there despite double-faulting just four times, implying its vulnerability when they tried to rally.

In tomorrow's semifinals, which will begin another edition of the double-header (as well as singles' semifinals and finals), Roveri Sidney/Santillan will face Luca Margaroli/Santiago Rodriguez Taverna, who defeated alternates Tommaso Compagnucci/Georgii Kravchenko 6-3, 3-6, [10-5]. Definitely in for the double-header treat!

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📸 ATP Challenger Livestream (via website)

The match tie-breaker turned out to be an entirely different chaos. After an error from Cukierman/Verbeek’s side, they ended up taking the early lead of the match tie-break 2-0. The rest of the tie-breaker became a cat-and-mouse game between both pairs, with several double faults added to the chaos.

Somehow, a swift backhand return from Roveri Sidney extended the gap to 6-8, with the pair having a match point several points later at 9-7. At the expense of Cukierman’s forehand error went up in the air, to the latter’s dismay, Roveri Sidney/Santillan took the match tie-break 10-7 to secure them the spot in tomorrow’s doubles semifinals.

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📸 ATP Challenger Livestream (via website)

Also, in Luedenscheid...

The tables somehow turned right in the moments that mattered. This started from the deciding point in the fourth game after a double fault, where Verbeek’s forehand got Roveri Sidney/Santillan run over for them to break early 3-1 before they consolidated to 4-1 right after. Somehow, Cukierman’s forehand winner fumbeld Roveri Sidney/Santillan’s game point until they ended up doubling the break to 5-1 thanks to Cukierman’s working volley.

As a result, Cukierman/Verbeek had the opportunity to serve for the breadstick. Even if there were several hiccups in between, a working serve+1 resulted in the successful breadstick (6-1), sending the match to the tie-breaker to settle who would end up winning this match.

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📸 ATP Challenger Livestream

An eternity later, in Luedenscheid...

The doubles sector finally took place after the tournament got rained out in the last 4 days. After stunning first seeds Sander Arends/Constantin Frantzen 6-4, 7-5 when they had to serve for the match twice, Daniel Cukierman/Sem Verbeek faced Gabriel Roveri Sidney/Akira Santillan, who advanced after Geoffey Blancaneaux/Daniel Masur's likely walkover from the doubles competition. This match appeared to be chaotic in all ways possible, which was apparent right from the first set.

Santillan's forehand, for some reason, opened the path to press Cukierman/Verbeek from the net. The similar shot was the reason behind the break point creation, which was eventually converted to 3-1. Subsequently, he and Roveri Sidney held their service game to 4-1.

Four consecutive games later, Santillan/Roveri Sidney had the chance to serve for the first set, on Santillan's serve. Without any further ado, Santillan's fiery service games helped them dominate that game, with an ace sealing the first set 6-3 for them. A solid showing, in that regard.

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Pau Ch F: Raphael Collignon [2] def. Patrick Zahraj [Q] 6-2, 6-4 Match Stats

📸 ATP official website

P. Zahraj had his moments when he broke in the middle of the second set, but his nervy start and inability to follow the break up only paved the way for R. Collignon to shift the moment back in his favor. With the former being passed a lot, the latter's backhand winners also contributed to some crucial points in the second set, which led to the brief turnaround. As a result, R. Collignon generated 10 break points, converting 40% of them compared to P. Zahraj's one-eighth break point conversion ratio.

Interestingly, despite the tiny difference between both players, they still had distinct strengths in this match. Scoring 5 aces than P. Zahraj's 2, the Belgian second seed won 74% points from his first serves, 21% more than the former, which helped him control most parts of the flow. However, his 4 double faults only faded his second serves 5% below the German qualifier at 50%, which might have explained parts of how the second set started.

This marked R. Collignon's third career Challenger-level title after winning his first two in Luedenscheid and Lyon (Décines-Charpieu) last year, which also secured his Top 100 debut as he landed at 98 live by the end of the tournament. Thanks to his showing in this tournament, P. Zahraj earned a Special Exempt as he will face Jan Choinski in the first round of the Lugano Challenger, the same tournament R. Collignon is the first seed of as he will face qualifier Vitaliy Sachko in the first round. Exciting times ahead for this indoor swing!

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Lyon (Décines-Charpieu) Ch F: Raphael Collignon [6] def. Calvin Hemery 6-4, 6-2 Match Stats

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C. Hemery tried to maintain his range in the second set, but they were insufficient once R. Collignon's aggression started to take shape. Through the latter's passes under pressure, he left the former less to no options, thus the second-set domination as the match progressed. As a result, R. Collignon converted 100% of his 3 break points, while C. Hemery was unable to create or convert his chances.

Besides, it appeared that both players also had distinct service game strengths in this match. Even though both players scored 5 aces, R. Collignon had the slight edge as he won 79% of his first serve points, which helped him control the flow more. However, his 5 double faults only faded his second serve winning percentage to 54%, 10% lower than the unseeded Frenchman, which almost increased the troubles in the second set.

Marking his second Challenger-level title since the epic comeback at the Luedenscheid Challenger, R. Collignon went to a career-high live ranking of 122 by the end of this tournament, combined with some other runner-up placements throughout the season. His next tournament will be the Rovereto Challenger, where he will face Daniel Masur in a potential indoor classic, while Calvin Hemery will end his season in Maia. What a way to close the season as well!

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🎥 📸 Eurosport

A Mauthausen Challenger semifinal rematch happened in Gstaad (250) after qualifier Hamad Medjedovic won his first round match against fifth seed Zhizhen Zhang (which was also a Luedenscheid Challenger final match) 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, as he set a meeting against Dominic Thiem, who won his first-round match against Alexandre Muller 6-1, 7-6(4). Knowing both players, a balance and return depth would be necessary, especially since Medjedovic’s game could be explosive and how Thiem could respond with pace.

Somehow, Thiem survived an early scare from a break point out of his forehand error before he finally held 1-0. Hamad then smoothly held to 3-2, but Thiem averted the damage being 0-30 down when he tried to err his forehand. Several games later, at the expense of Thiem's backhand error, Hamad held to 4-4 afterward.

Three games later, Thiem's forehand errors opened the gate for Hamad to break for the set. Those responses were insufficient as well to deal with Hamad's preceding shots, where his forehand rushes resulted in not only the set point creation, but also the conversion for him to take the first set 7-5. Definitely some costly moves.

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Mauthausen Ch F: Hamad Medjedovic def. Filip Misolic [5] 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-4 Match Stats

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Bar the second set tie-breaker, which ended at the expense of Medjedovic's forehand rushes, this match was run in Medjedovic's terms in one way or another. This was visible toward the end of the match, but it went dramatic somehow.

Scoring a whopping 18 aces, Medjedovic stood out from his first serves by winning 75% of his points from there. Comparatively, double-faulting seven times did not help it for Medjedovic, especially since he was 9% points behind from those winning from their second serves than the first.

On the other hand, both players had their chances to break (9 each). Medjedovic's baseline control enabled him to convert 4 of them, bothering Misolic with drop shots whenever they were executed accurately. The only moment Misolic converted his break point came from the third set, where it even happened at the expense of Medjedovic's rushed errors toward the end of the match. He could not assert any other pressure, unfortunately, hence the match mostly passed by then.m

This is Medjedovic’s third career Challenger title after Luedenscheid (2022) and Szekesfehervar Challengers from earlier this year. Additionally, he propelled his rank up to 165 per the current state of the live rankings, confirming his spot in the Top 200 even further.