This week, the ATP Challenger Tour event in Binghamton, New York, celebrated its 25th anniversary. Needless to say, it was a memorable tournament for all involved. A total of 20 singles matches were completed on Thursday after torrential rain showers washed out play for two straight days. But when the skies cleared, fans were treated to a world-class display.

On Sunday, Jay Clarke defeated Jordan Thompson 6-7(6), 7-6(5), 6-4 for his maiden title, capturing a dramatic, high-quality two-hour and 56-minute marathon final. Thompson was two points from the championship – both on his racquet – at 5/4 in the second set tie-break, but Clarke escaped in thrilling fashion. He would eventually secure the title on his third match point, in what was the longest Challenger final since 2016.

Clarke, who turned 20 during the week, is Great Britain’s #NextGenATP hopeful. The Derby native is up to a career-high No. 175 in the ATP Rankings with the victory, rising 50 spots. He joins Kyle Edmund and Cameron Norrie, who ironically also recently triumphed in Binghamton (Edmund in 2015 and Norrie in 2017), as Brits in the Top 200. Andy Murray also lifted the trophy in 2005.

Clarke spoke to broadcaster Mike Cation following his breakthrough victory…

Jay, this was a bizarre week with all the rain delays, but this has to feel incredibly special for you right now.
It feels great. I came here after being away from hard courts for a while and I beat great players throughout the whole week. I did well in the mixed doubles at Wimbledon, so I didn’t have much preparation on hard. The fact that I could string five wins together in tough conditions makes me really happy.

Andy Murray won this tournament in 2005, Kyle Edmund a few years ago and Cameron Norrie last year. What is it about being able to translate the opportunities in the grass season to Binghamton?
I think British players are quite lucky to have the opportunities on the grass, and I know Cam and I played main draw Wimbledon and Eastbourne leading into Binghamton. You’re playing top-level players. I lost to Ernests Gulbis in a tight five-setter, so I had the feeling that I was playing really well. When you play those guys and then you come here, it gives you some confidence.

The two guys you played in the semis and final – Granollers and Thompson – are Top 100 guys. Your win against Granollers was complete, top to bottom. How did you process that coming into today’s final?
Well, I was completely focused on the match today. I came back from a set down on my birthday earlier in the week, so the fact that I bounced back and stayed level-headed is just my personality. 

I just focused on holding my serve and yesterday I think I played the big points really well. That’s what tennis is. Today, I had opportunities in the first set tie-break and didn’t take them. But I was lucky today and able to find some of my best tennis when it counted.

You’re saying ‘lucky’, but that was all skill and talent today.
Obviously the first time you do something, you have to have a bit of luck on your side. When I played Marcos Giron in the second round, I got a net cord to get a double break. In that game, the wind picked up and it could have been very different. I managed to make it scrappy and I enjoyed playing that tennis. A lot of things went my way this week.

It’s always tough when you play a solid set and lose it, like you did today in the first. And then to have your back against the wall in the second set tie-break. How did you bounce back mentally?
You always try to see the bigger picture in the moment. Before this week I was outside the Top 200 and now I’m taking this guy, who is No. 96 in the world, to 6-all with a set point in the first. I was creating these chances against guys who are much higher ranked than me. I think he’s won five or six titles before, so it helps a lot knowing that you’re not going to take every chance you get. You’re going to miss. Going into the match, it’s important to know that. 

You’re not entitled to anything. When he hit a backhand down-the-line winner, I was just thinking that it’s too good. It would have been easy for me to drop my head and think crazy stuff at the start of the second, but I’m really happy with how I managed these situations all week.

2018 #NextGenATP First-Time Winners:Molleker | Polmans | Hurkacz | Rodionov | De Minaur | Martinez

I can already see a difference in what you’re doing from the clay season. It seems like you’re running around the backhand less and trusting that side more. Is that accurate?
I can’t give away too much [laughs]. On clay you obviously have more time to run around, but the guys are going to find the backhand eventually in faster conditions like this. You have to back yourself. Few guys have a weakness when you get to the quarter-finals. They might have sides they favour more, but few weaknesses at that stage. You have to break them down until they miss. They’re not going to give much.

I’m just working on believing in my game more. With the matches on the grass, you can’t really run around the backhand so you have to believe more in that wing. I’d say I’m pretty solid from both sides and my technique is pretty clean. There’s not much that can go wrong with my game, so I think that helps a lot.

Today I noticed that you create a lot of depth from a defensive position. It impressed me most and it didn’t allow Thompson to come forward too much and attack.
The stuff you named is actually the stuff I’m working on, so I’m glad you’re picking up on it [laughs]. Against the top guys, if you give them one chance they are going to come in. I knew it was important to hit the ball deep today and keep him back, because he’s a very good player when he’s inside the court. Not staying defensive for too long was key. Not just today, but the whole week. 

You have to be 50-50 here. On the clay, I can sit back and let them attack me 60-70 per cent of the time, because I’m quite happy moving. On the hard courts, you drop back once or twice and the ball is past you. You have to try to turn the points early in the rallies and that’s what I’ve been doing.

You had your birthday here this week, but you didn’t get to properly celebrate. You also have to get to Lexington now. How do you celebrate your birthday and your first trophy?
My brother is coming out in a couple weeks, so maybe we’ll do something then. It’s a good problem to have. I’ve enjoyed this week and I never usually do something for my birthday anyway. I’m always on the road traveling. I’m just enjoying this.

A LOOK BACK
Aamulehti Tampere Open (Tampere, Finland): It has been decades since the likes of Richard Krajicek, Paul Haarhuis and Jacco Eltingh ruled tennis in The Netherlands. But now, the European nation is on the rise once again. On Sunday, 22-year-old Tallon Griekspoor notched his maiden ATP Challenger Tour title in Tampere, dropping just one set en route to the crown.

Griekspoor, who defeated third seed Juan Ignacio Londero 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 in the final, continues a dominant trend for Dutch tennis on the Challenger circuit. In June, older brother Scott Griekspoor claimed his first title in Blois, France, and two weeks ago Thiemo de Bakker triumphed on home soil in Scheveningen.

Scott and Tallon claimed a slice of Challenger history with their titles, becoming just the fourth pair of brothers to triumph in a single season since 2000. Most recently, Jurgen Melzer and Gerald Melzer each won two titles last year.

Tallon’s title was extra special considering it was his first tournament since Roland Garros qualifying, having struggled with shoulder and leg injuries. He had not won a match at any level since April. Now the second-highest ranked Dutchman, the Haarlem native is up 42 spots to a career-high No. 181 in the ATP Rankings.

“I had injuries and other health problems after French Open qualies,” said Griekspoor. “I didn’t know what to expect, but I served well the whole tournament. Londero is a fighter, he gives 100 per cent in every point. He is a very difficult and strong opponent. After I won the first set he had the momemtum at the end of the second set and beginning of the third. I managed to break his serve at 3-3 and maybe I was mentally stronger than he was at the end of the match. I’m just really happy about my first Challenger title here in Tampere.”

Brothers To Win Challenger Titles In The Same Season (since 2000)

Challenger Banque Nationale de Granby (Granby, Canada): One month ago, Peter Polansky was on the brink of breaking into the Top 100 of the ATP Rankings, rising to a career-high No. 110 at the age of 30. Looks like it won’t be long before the Canadian reaches the milestone. 

Polansky clinched his third ATP Challenger Tour title at the $100,000 event in Granby, prevailing on home soil in front of a packed crowd on Sunday. Runner-up in 2017, the Toronto native went one step further this week, dropping one set en route to the title. 

After falling to France’s Ugo Humbert in a three tie-break, three-hour marathon in the Gatineau quarter-finals a week ago, Polansky got his revenge on Sunday. He would defeat Humbert 6-4, 1-6, 6-2 for the title, saving eight of 10 break points faced.

“I’m very happy to be leaving here with the title this year,” said Polansky. “I tip my hat to the work that Ugo has accomplished in the past two weeks. He’s a player with a lot of potential and he’s also a great guy. The tournament in Granby is special to me. I really appreciated the support from fans all week.”

Photo: Sarah-Jade Champagne

Levene Gouldin & Thompson Tennis Challenger (Binghamton, U.S.A.): This week, the $75,000 event in Binghamton, New York, celebrated its 25th anniversary. Needless to say, it was a memorable tournament for all involved. A total of 20 singles matches were completed on Thursday after torrential rain showers washed out play for two straight days.

But when the skies cleared, fans were treated to a world-class display. On Sunday, Jay Clarke defeated Jordan Thompson 6-7(6), 7-6(5), 6-4 for his maiden ATP Challenger Tour title, capturing a dramatic, high-quality two-hour and 56-minute marathon. Thompson was two points from the championship – both on his racquet – at 5/4 in the second set tie-break, but Clarke escaped in thrilling fashion. He would eventually secure the title on his third match point, in what was the longest Challenger final since 2016.

Clarke, who turned 20 during the week, is Great Britain’s #NextGenATP hopeful. The Derby native is up to a career-high No. 175 in the ATP Rankings with the victory, rising 50 spots. He joins Kyle Edmund and Cameron Norrie, who ironically also recently triumphed in Binghamton (Edmund in 2015 and Norrie in 2017), as Brits in the Top 200. Andy Murray also lifted the trophy in 2005.

Internationali Di Tennis Country 2001 (Padova, Italy): At the age of 29 years and two months, Sergio Gutierrez-Ferrol became the oldest first-time winner on the ATP Challenger Tour since 2016. The Spanish veteran had never reached a Challenger semi-final entering the month, but after finishing runner-up in San Benedetto, Italy, he would take the title in Padova.

After ascending to No. 173 in the ATP Rankings six years ago, Gutierrez-Ferrol has vaulted to a new career-high of No. 158 with the title. He is the seventh different Spaniard to prevail on the ATP Challenger Tour this year, joining fellow veterans Marcel Granollers, Pablo Andujar, Tommy Robredo and Adrian Menendez-Maceiras, and #NextGenATP stars Jaume Munar and Pedro Martinez.

Advantage Cars Prague Open (Prague, Czech Republic): Lukas Rosol battled to the title on home soil in Prague, earning his ninth Challenger crown and first since 2014. It is his third victory in his home capital, adding to titles won in 2011 and ’14. The Czech rallied from a set down in three straight matches, culminating with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win over Aleksandr Nedovyesov on Sunday.

A LOOK AHEAD
The inaugural Sopot Open in Poland is joined by a $125,000 event in Chengdu, China, the 33rd edition of the Open Castilla y Leon in Segovia, Spain, and tournaments in Lexington, U.S.A. and Liberec, Czech Republic.

Former doubles star Mariusz Fyrstenberg is the tournament director in Sopot, with Top 100 debutant Hugo Dellien the top seed. Meanwhile, Henri Laaksonen leads the field on the hard courts of Chengdu, while the Griekspoor brothers join Granby finalist Humbert in Segovia.

In Lexington, Clarke looks to go back-to-back, with fellow #NextGenATP stars Marc Polmans, Max Purcell and Lloyd Harris also seeded. On the clay of Liberec, top seed Pedro Sousa is the defending champion.

It’s inevitable: the time will come for a generational change, one that will likely give the top of the ATP World Tour a major facelift. Even the sublime likes of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, ageless wonders and winners of a combined 37 Grand Slam titles, will have to call it a career at some point. And with a new crop of stars quickly coming into their own, there will be no shortage of players in which to pass the torch.

Nadal has one eye on the fresh wave of talent emerging on the tour, and another on helping to cultivate that talent. In addition to founding the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar, a centre designed to train and educate promising talent, the Spaniard is hosting the Rafa Nadal Open Banc Sabadell, a newly created tournament on the ATP Challenger Tour, from 26 August to 2 September in Mallorca, Spain.

While they’re already current regulars on the ATP World Tour these days, Nadal feels 21-year-old Alexander Zverev and 19-year-old Denis Shapovalov are the most likely of the strong bunch to lead the charge to the top in coming years and the forces to push a changing of the guard.

“The young guys are coming: Zverev, Shapovalov … I’m not going to name them all, but there are many out there right now who I think are particularly special, and they are obviously going to replace us,” said Nadal, who is preparing for the North American hard-court swing by training on the surface in Mallorca. “It’s either because they are going to just be better than us in a short time or because logic dictates that age will eventually catch up to us.

“Our era was particularly exceptional, when a series of players dominated the tour for years, at the highest level of tennis, at the biggest tournaments.”

In addition to his 17 Grand Slam titles, the 32-year-old holds the record for the most ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crowns with 32.

Nadal also believes that the Next Gen ATP Finals, to be held 6-10 November in Milan, has added extra motivation for the sport’s emerging talent and a platform to showcase how fierce the competition is among tennis’ rising stars. Nadal takes particular interest in the career of Jaume Munar. The 21-year-old trains at Nadal’s academy and is currently eighth in the ATP Race To Milan. The top seven will automatically qualify for the 21-and-under event.

“[Munar] has made major strides in recent months and for us at the academy, it is with great satisfaction to see that we are able to help an up-and-coming Spanish player,” Nadal said.

Atlanta’s favourite tennis Georgia Bulldog might be on his way to becoming the city’s mayor. Top-seeded American John Isner won his fifth BB&T Atlanta Open title on Sunday, beating compatriot Ryan Harrison in the final for the second consecutive year 5-7, 6-3, 6-4.

Isner extended his record haul in Atlanta (2013-’15, 2017) and picked up his second ATP World Tour title of the year, matching his career-best season tally. He won his maiden ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crown in April at the Miami Open presented by Itau (d. A. Zverev).

“It’s incredible, and I think I said it last year, I feel like there may come a time where I’m not back in the finals, or I’m not the champion again, but as it stands right now I’m very happy to be the champ here,” Isner said. “I’m very comfortable here, I make breakfast in my own room, I go to the Publix next door, it really feels like I’m at home, and that helps so much.”

The 33-year-old Isner, who will receive 250 ATP Rankings points and $119,250 in prize money, is having his best season. Earlier this month, he reached his maiden Grand Slam semi-final at Wimbledon (l. to Anderson). He will maintain his position in the Top 10 of the ATP Rankings at No. 9 on Monday when the new rankings are released.

The eighth-seeded Harrison was going for his second ATP World Tour title (2017 Memphis) and had chances to take control of the match after a strong opening.

In the 11^th game, Harrison converted his only break point of the first set and served to love to take the opener for the first time this week. Four times Harrison needed to come back from a set down to make the final, becoming the first player to do so since Gilles Simon at the 2008 Mutua Madrid Open.

Watch Isner’s My Story

Harrison also became the first player to come back from a set down in all four matches at an event en route to the final since Tommy Haas at the 2001 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament in Stuttgart.

But Harrison couldn’t seize control in the second set, failing to come through in all four of his break-point chances, including three in the third game. Instead, it was Isner who took advantage of his lone opportunity, following a forehand to the net and placing the pressure on Harrison, who netted a backhand on break point.

Isner let the momentum carry him in the third, breaking Harrison to start with a crosscourt forehand winner and serving out the match to love in the 10^th game. Harrison will receive 150 ATP Rankings points and $62,805 in prize money.

“I realise I was fortunate today… I’ve been on the other end where you have four or five chances to put your stamp on the match and you don’t get it, and I just had one chance, and played a good point, and was able to win the second set, and had one chance in the third and got up early,” Isner said. “That’s how our sport goes sometimes, and I was very fortunate today.”

Did You Know?
Isner has reached the Atlanta final eight of the nine years he’s played at the event. In 2012, he lost in the semi-finals to eventual champion Andy Roddick.

Nicholas Monroe and John-Patrick Smith will remember 29 July forever. The American-Aussie pairing won their first ATP World Tour doubles title as a team on Sunday at the BB&T Atlanta Open, beating second-seeded Americans Ryan Harrison and Rajeev Ram 3-6, 7-6(5), 10-8.

The third-seeded Monroe/Smith saved seven of eight break points and won the title despite not breaking Harrison/Ram, who saved the only break point they faced. Harrison pulled double duty on Sunday, falling in three sets to John Isner earlier in the Atlanta singles final.

Read More: Monroe Riding High On Late Doubles Breakthrough

Monroe/Smith improved to 13-13 as a team and will receive 250 ATP Doubles Rankings points and split $36,230 in prize money. They also reached the Delray Beach Open final (l. to Sock/Withrow). Monroe has now four ATP World Tour doubles titles, while Smith celebrated his first. Harrison/Ram fell to 5-2 as a team and will receive 150 ATP Doubles Rankings points and split $19,040 in prize money.