Moriya Notches Nanchang Challenger Title

Hiroki Moriya ended a four-match skid in style, streaking to the title at the ATP Challenger Tour event in Nanchang, China. The Tecnifibre player did not drop a set before rallying to defeat fourth seed Hyeon Chung 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 on Saturday.

Moriya was appearing in his first final in more than two years, when he claimed his maiden Challenger title on the hard courts of Granby, Canada in 2014. The 25-year-old Japanese is closing in on a return to the Top 150 of the Emirates ATP Rankings, rising more than 50 spots to a projected World No. 166.

“I didn’t expect to win the championship here when I got to Nanchang,” said Moriya. “I fought for every match and I am very happy with my performance this week. This is my second visit here in Nanchang and I love this city and now I have some nice memories to share with my family.”

It marks the second straight week a Tecnifibre player has won a title, following Daniil Medvedev’s victory in Saint-Remy, France. Medvedev is vying for $50,000 in the Young Guns On The Road competition. Learn More

Meanwhile, #NextGen star Chung was appearing in his first tournament in four months after suffering an abdominal injury. He is looking to return to the Top 100 after falling to No. 145.

Morocco Tennis Tour Meknes (Meknes, Morocco): Maximilian Marterer won his first ATP Challenger Tour title on Saturday in Meknes, defeating Uladzimir Ignatik 7-6(3), 6-3 in 90 minutes. The eighth seed was dominant all week, not dropping a set, while saving an impressive 22 of 23 break points faced. He is the seventh different player from Germany to lift a trophy this year, joining Florian Mayer, Tobias Kamke, Michael Berrer, Mischa Zverev, Dustin Brown and Jan-Lennard Struff.