Challenger
Blanch, 18, banks biggest career win at Phoenix Challenger
Belgians Collignon and Blockx win in Cap Cana
March 10, 2026
SMASHLAB
Darwin Blanch upsets World No. 52 Terence Atmane on Tuesday at the Arizona Tennis Classic.
By ATP Staff
American teen Darwin Blanch earned the best win of his career by PIF ATP Ranking on Tuesday at the Arizona Tennis Classic, an ATP Challenger 175 event in Phoenix.
The 18-year-old, who received a wild card into Phoenix, upset World No. 52 Terence Atmane 6-4, 6-4 to begin his tournament in standout fashion.
Checking in after the biggest win of his career 🤳
👋 Darwin Blanch#ATPChallenger | @usta pic.twitter.com/ePhjvT6aQr
— ATP Challenger (@ATPChallenger) March 10, 2026
“It feels amazing,” said Blanch, who won 82 per cent (28/34) of his first-serve points and saved all three break points he faced. “I feel like I served super well and that helped me a lot in important points and definitely gave me a lot of confidence. I also feel like I returned well, reading his serve super well. It feels amazing to get this win and happy to move on.”
The #NextGenATP lefty earned a crucial break at 4-4 in both sets, deflating the hopes of the Frenchman, who arrived in Phoenix following his Indian Wells first-round loss to Grigor Dimitrov. Blanch, the No. 287 player in the PIF ATP Rankings, reached his first Challenger final last November in Knoxville, Tennessee.
“I was a little nervous at the start, a little shaky,” Blanch admitted after stunning Atmane. “When he was serving at 4-4 in both sets, I just had to play aggressive and return super aggressive through the middle.”
Blanch will be one to watch this season as he aims for his maiden trip to the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.
Collignon, Blockx advance in Cap Cana
Belgians Raphael Collignon and Alexander Blockx were among those to advance at the Republica Dominicana Open – Copa Cap Cana. Collignon, who won the Pau Challenger last month, downed Tomas Barrios Vera 7-6(4), 6-3 while Blockx ousted Roberto Cid Subervi 6-0, 7-5.
Blockx has already claimed two ATP Challenger titles this season, triumphing in Canberra and Lille. Before Canberra, the 20-year-old finished runner-up at the 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.
To watch the Phoenix and Cap Cana Challengers, fans can live stream all matches for free at Challenger TV.
A tiger is in town 🐯🇩🇴🐅
[5] @RaphCollignon opens his Cap Cana title hunt 7-6(4), 6-3 🆚 Barrios Vera#ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/Ftzrg8aNDp
— ATP Challenger (@ATPChallenger) March 11, 2026
