Bengaluru: Italy’s Stefano Napolitano staged a remarkable comeback, overcoming a set deficit to clinch the men’s singles title at the Bengaluru Open 2024 ATP Challenger Series. In a gripping final at the KSLTA Tennis Stadium on Sunday, the seventh-seeded Napolitano battled against South Korea’s Seongchan Hong, ultimately triumphing 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 in a thrilling contest that lasted two hours and 23 minutes.
Napolitano, whose last ATP Challenger title dates back to 2016, displayed his powerful groundstrokes throughout the match. The victory not only earned him a prize purse of $18,230 (approximately Rs 15 lakh) but also secured 100 valuable ranking points.
Facing challenges with his first serve in the opening set, Napolitano lost his serve twice, allowing Hong to claim the set. Undeterred, the Italian gradually found his rhythm, breaking his opponent to force a decider.
With momentum on his side, Napolitano seized the advantage by breaking Hong in the first game of the deciding set. Although the South Korean fought to stay in the set, Napolitano’s resilience shone through. In the ninth game, he secured victory with a spectacular inside-out forehand winner, followed by a celebratory fall to the court.
Napolitano’s path to the title included notable victories over former world No. 25 Vasek Pospisil of Canada in the second round and local favorite Sumit Nagal in the semi-finals. The final showcased Napolitano’s determination and skill, marking a memorable win in the Bengaluru Open 2024.