#NextGenATP alum Basavareddy spoils 17-year-old Kennedy’s hopes at Savannah Challenger | ATP Tour

Challenger

#NextGenATP alum Basavareddy spoils 17-year-old Kennedy’s hopes at Savannah Challenger

American teen becomes youngest Challenger finalist since Fonseca

April 27, 2026

Nishesh Basavareddy ended the dream run of 17-year-old Jack Kennedy in the Savannah Challenger final on Sunday, defeating the teenager 6-3, 6-0 to return to the winner’s circle.

In a battle of two young Americans, the 20-year-old Basavareddy — who competed at the Next Gen ATP Finals the past two seasons — claimed his first ATP Challenger title in 17 months. Following his triumph, Basavareddy is up 24 places to No. 153 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings.

Back in the winner’s circle 🔄

A statement title run from Nishesh Basavareddy, dispatching Kennedy 6-3, 6-0 to claim his first Challenger silverware since 2024 🏆#ATPChallenger | @usta pic.twitter.com/gsHxLLzAH2

— ATP Challenger (@ATPChallenger) April 26, 2026

Kennedy still has plenty to be proud of this week. The New York teen became the youngest ATP Challenger finalist since Joao Fonseca (Asuncion, 2024). He was aiming to become the youngest American to win an ATP Challenger title in 36 years, since Tommy Ho at Ponte Vedra in 1990.

Committed to play for the University of Virginia beginning this fall, Kennedy was competing in just his fourth tournament at ATP Challenger level. He reached the semi-finals in Tallahassee before arriving in Savannah.

Kwon captures second Challenger title of 2026
Former World No. 52 Soonwoo Kwon won on home soil at the Gwangju Open in South Korea, where he downed August Holmgren 6-4, 7-5 in the final. Kwon dropped just one set all week, needing a decider in the quarter-finals to overcome former Top 20 star Hyeon Chung. The 28-year-old has claimed two Challenger titles this season, having triumphed in Phan Thiet in January.

Soonwoo Kwon in action at the Gwangju Challenger.” style=”width:100%” src=”https://www.atptour.com/-/media/images/news/2026/04/27/12/39/kwon-gwangjuch-2026.jpg”>
^{Soonwoo Kwon in action at the Gwangju Challenger. Credit: Gwangju Open}

Guerrieri moves through qualifying en route to biggest career title
Italian Andrea Guerrieri completed a dream week at the Garden Open in Rome, advancing through qualifying en route to his first ATP Challenger crown. The 27-year-old won seven matches in eight days and capped the week by stunning top seed Dalibor Svrcina 6-4, 2-6, 6-1 in the title match. Guerrieri is set to crack the Top 300 for the first time.

Onclin, Fomin win ATP Challenger 50 events
Gauthier Onclin claimed his maiden Challenger trophy in Côte d’Ivoire, which last year hosted a Challenger tournament for the first time. With a full crowd in attendance for the final, the top seed Onclin beat Hamish Stewart 7-6(5), 7-6(2).

Gauthier Onclin during Sunday’s final Côte d’Ivoire, where there was a full crowd in attendance.” style=”width:100%” src=”https://www.atptour.com/-/media/images/news/2026/04/27/12/43/onclin-abidijanch-2026.jpg”>
^{Gauthier Onclin during Sunday’s final Côte d’Ivoire. Credit: Côte d’Ivoire Open 1}

Uzbekistan’s Sergey Fomin needed a deciding set in four of his five matches at the Shymkent Challenger 1, yet prevailed to claim his second title at that level. Fomin, 25, ousted top seed Timofey Skatov 6-3, 7-5 in the championship match. Fomin’s first Challenger title also came in Shymkent in 2022.

Sergey Fomin celebrates winning the Shymkent Challenger.” style=”width:100%” src=”https://www.atptour.com/-/media/images/news/2026/04/27/12/49/sergey-fomin-shymkentch-2026.jpg”>
^{Sergey Fomin celebrates winning the Shymkent Challenger. Credit: Shymkent Challenger 1}