#NextGenATP Budkov Kjaer Rocketing Towards Jeddah with Stellar Challenger Season
Carreno Busta and Garin shine; 2024 NCAA singles champ Zheng maintains momentum
October 06, 2025
Nicolas Averty
Nicolai Budkov Kjaer clinches victory at the Open de Vendée in France.
By ATP Staff
Nicolai Budkov Kjaer is quickly emerging as one of the brightest stars on the ATP Challenger Tour.
On Sunday, the talented 19-year-old secured his fourth title of the season at the Open de Vendee, effortlessly defeating American Patrick Kypson 6-0, 6-3 in just 54 minutes. The Norwegian now stands alongside Borna Coric and Emilio Nava at the top of the 2025 Challenger-title leaderboard.
“I’m incredibly grateful and thrilled to hold this trophy,” Budkov Kjaer stated. “It was an amazing week filled with outstanding tennis at a fantastic tournament.”
Rising two slots to fifth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah, Budkov Kjaer has significantly bolstered his chances for his inaugural trip to the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, scheduled for December 17-21.
PIF ATP LIVE RACE TO JEDDAH
Budkov Kjaer captured his first Challenger title in Glasgow back in February, followed by consecutive victories in July at Tampere and Astana, making him the youngest Norwegian to achieve multiple Challenger titles. As the seventh seed in Mouilleron le Captif, the 2024 Wimbledon boys’ singles champion dropped only one set all week, highlighting his phenomenal season.
Former Top 20 Players Carreno Busta and Garin Claim Challenger Titles
Veteran players Pablo Carreno Busta and Cristian Garin both emerged victorious on their home turf. Carreno Busta, a former No. 10 in the PIF ATP Rankings, triumphed at the Ferrero Challenger in Villena, overcoming Frenchman Hugo Grenier 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the finals. At 34, Carreno Busta continues his impressive legacy as a 14-time Challenger champion.
Pablo Carreno Busta competing at the Ferrero Challenger. Credit: Ferrero Challenger
Cristian Garin successfully captured his third Challenger title of the season in an exhilarating way by winning on home soil in Antofagasta, Chile. The 29-year-old put in a stellar performance, taking a decisive set in three of his matches, including a gripping final where he bested Facundo Diaz Acosta 2-6, 6-3, 6-3.
Cristian Garin celebrating his triumph at the Antofagasta Challenger. Credit: Miguel Zamora/Legión Sudamericana
2024 NCAA Singles Champion Zheng Continues Impressive Streak, Securing Third Title Since August
Michael Zheng, the reigning NCAA singles champion, is making waves on the Challenger circuit. At 21 and a senior at Columbia University, Zheng captured his third title in just two months. With an impressive record of 16 wins in his last 17 matches, his only loss came from a qualifying round at the US Open. In Tiburon, Zheng did not drop a single set, defeating Tyler Zink 6-4, 6-4 in the finals.
As the victor at both the Chicago and Columbus Challengers this year, Zheng has climbed to No. 178 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, putting him on track for a new career high.
Michael Zheng celebrates his win at the Tiburon Challenger. Credit: Natalie Kim
Mikrut Sets Sights on Career High Following Second Challenger Title of 2025
Luka Mikrut captured his second Challenger title of the year at the Braga Open in Portugal, defeating Lithuanian Vilius Gaubas, who was seeking back-to-back titles, with a score of 6-3, 6-4. With this victory, Mikrut has climbed 59 places to No. 180 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings.
Luka Mikrut at the Braga Challenger. Credit: Eduardo Oliveira/FPT
