Gaston Thwarts Wawrinka’s Challenger Ambitions
Britain’s Jack Pinnington Jones secures his second Challenger title of the year!
September 15, 2025
Benjamin Croizet/Open Blot Rennes
Hugo Gaston prevails against Stan Wawrinka with a score of 6-4, 6-4 in the Rennes Challenger final.
By ATP Staff
In a thrilling showdown at the Open Blot Rennes, French star Hugo Gaston dashed Stan Wawrinka’s dreams of becoming the oldest ATP Challenger Tour champion.
A vibrant crowd in northwest France witnessed a riveting match between the two top-seeded players: local favorite Gaston and the beloved Wawrinka. The left-handed Gaston clinched the victory, winning 6-4, 6-4, while Wawrinka, at 40 years old, sought to break Ivo Karlovic’s record as the oldest Challenger champion.
“I’m grateful for my team; winning this title together with Tristan [Lamasine] is fantastic,” Gaston expressed during the trophy presentation. “Playing here is always an honor, and the atmosphere in the arena is unparalleled. A huge thank you to our incredible fans for making this a memorable experience!”
Another title for Hugo Gaston! #ATPChallenger | @FFTennis pic.twitter.com/FkWxsnNzp0
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) September 14, 2025
Gaston, who had previously faced a five-match losing streak, only dropped one set throughout the tournament, ultimately claiming his fifth Challenger title. His efforts propelled him 22 spots up to No. 106 in the PIF ATP Rankings, bringing him closer to a return to the Top 100.
Meanwhile, Wawrinka was competing in his second Challenger final of the year, having reached an earlier championship in Aix-en-Provence in May, where he lost to Borna Coric after a grueling three-hour battle. The former world No. 3 boasts a 16-8 record this season at the Challenger level and will gear up for competition again in Saint-Tropez this week.
“Kudos to Hugo and his team,” Wawrinka acknowledged. “He played exceptionally well and truly deserved the win. Despite the loss, it’s been a positive and rewarding week for me. Although I’m conscious of getting older, the thrill of competing remains strong, fueled by the unwavering support from our amazing crowd.”
In other Challenger news, Jack Pinnington Jones from Britain captured his second title of the season, soaring to a career-high rank of No. 177 after his victory at the Winston Salem Challenger in North Carolina.
The 22-year-old showcased impressive gameplay, not dropping a set throughout the tournament and saving 17 of the 19 break points he encountered, according to Infosys ATP Stats. In the final, he overcame 19-year-old American Trevor Svajda with a decisive 6-2, 6-2 scoreline.
Argentine players also celebrated successes, with Thiago Agustin Tirante, Juan Manuel Cerundolo, and Marco Trungelliti each lifting trophies in their respective competitions. Tirante marked his win at the Invest in Szczecin Open, defeating Pablo Llamas Ruiz 6-3, 6-2.
“It was a fantastic match for me,” Tirante shared. “I played consistently from the first point to the last. Winning this title, especially my first in Europe, brings me immense joy!”
Thiago Agustin Tirante celebrates his triumph at the Szczecin Challenger. Credit: Jaroslaw Gaszynski
Cerundolo claimed his 11th Challenger title at the Guangzhou Huangpu International Tennis Open in China, marking his first success on hard courts with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over fellow lefty Alejandro Tabilo. Following this triumph, he ascended to a career-high No. 72 in the PIF ATP Rankings.
“This is a significant win for me, especially on hard courts as I had not anticipated it,” Cerundolo expressed. “Adapting to the time difference from home proved challenging at first, but I’m thrilled with my progress.”
Juan Manuel Cerundolo celebrates after winning the Guangzhou Challenger. Credit: Guangzhou Huangpu International Tennis Open
Trungelliti continued his impressive run, claiming victory at the Intaro Open in Romania, adding to his consecutive title wins. He was leading Mili Poljicak 6-1 in the final when the Croatian retired due to an injury. The 35-year-old has secured six Challenger titles, three of which were earned this season alone.
Italian Stefano Napolitano also made headlines, triumphing at his home tournament in città di Biella. Starting the week ranked No. 847, the 30-year-old leveraged the support of local fans to emerge as this season’s lowest-ranked Challenger champion, defeating Swiss player Kilian Feldbausch 7-5, 6-3.
