Kubler and Thompson claim ATP Challenger titles

Australian players Jason Kubler and Jordan Thompson have won Challenger titles overnight.

First, it was Thompson that defeated USA’s world no. 81 Denis Kudla 7-5, 6-3 to win the Subiton CH125 tournament on grass. It was the 8th Challenger title for the 28-year-old.

Kudla got the first break of serve to lead 2-1 and he then consolidated for 3-1.

Thompson hit back in the sixth game to level at 3-3 after Kudla hit a shot into the net at 15-40.

Both players had break opportunities in the next games however it was Kudla that broke first to serve for the set at 5-4.

Kudla hit a shot out at 30-40 to see the first set at 5-5. Thompson held and then broke to love to claim the first set.

Thompson broke in the sixth game of the second set to lead 4-2. Games went with serve from there to see the Australian claim the championship.

Next Kubler had a comfortable win to claim the Little Rock CH100 title when he defeated Taiwan’s Wu Tung-Lin 6-0, 6-2.

Kubler managed to win despite serving at just 45% on his first serve. He broke four times and saved all three break points against his serve, including two in the opening game of the match.

Kubler started the run of breaks when he hit a winner at 15-40 to move to a 2-0 lead.

Wu the world no. 247 didn’t hold serve until the second game of the second set after fighting off some breakpoints.

Kubler broke Wu in the fourth game to move to a 3-1 lead. He consolidated the break for 4-1 before Wu held serve.

That was the last game Wu would win and Kubler went on to win the title match. Match point was the story of the match when Wu smashed into the net.

Kubler jumps from no 159 to no. 119 on the rankings after sitting at no. 220 back on February 7.