challenger
Blockx Breaks Top 100 Babyyyy After Challenger Wins
The Belgian participated in the Next Generation ATP Finals for the first time since finishing runner-up at PIF and won the championship
January 12, 2026
australian tennis
Alexander Blockx celebrates winning the Canberra Challenger.
Written by ATP Staff
Alexander Blockx kicks off the 2026 fashion season in unforgettable fashion. The Belgian, who reached the final of the Next Generation ATP Finals hosted by PIF in December, built on that momentum to win the ATP Challenger 125 event Canberra International Workday on Sunday.
Blockx moved into the top 100 for the first time in Monday’s PIF ATP rankings following its victory in Canberra. The 20-year-old defeated Jeddah 2025 Rafael Jodar 6-4, 6-4 in the final in an exciting showdown between two emerging talents. Trailing 1-4 in the second set, Brockers lifted the fourth Challenger Trophy of his career in five consecutive games.
☝️Alex Blockx’s first title in 2026‼ ️#ATPchallenger pic.twitter.com/kZZSeiNwYo
— ATP Challenger (@ATPChallenger) January 10, 2026
“Top 100 babesyyy⚡️,” Blockx excitedly wrote in an Instagram post. “It’s great to start the new year with another title.”
The 19-year-old Jordahl won three Challenger titles in 2025 and announced his decision to turn pro on New Year’s Eve, forgoing remaining eligibility at the University of Virginia. The teenager performed well in the Canberra qualifiers and is currently ranked 150th, a career-high ranking.
Gea wins the Challenge Championship for the first time
Frenchman Arthur Gea claimed his first Challenger title at the BNC Open in New Caledonia, with the 21-year-old beating Jurij Rodionov 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 in the final. Gaia has won four titles on the 2025 ITF Men’s World Tennis Tour, with the latest milestone achievement helping him climb to a career-high ranking of 197th.
Arthur Gea onboard the Noumea Challenger. Image source: BNC Tennis Open
Martinez returns to the championship circle
Former world No. 36 Pedro Martinez dropped just one set all week to win the Dafa News Bangalore Open in India. The top-seeded Spaniard defeated Kazakhstan’s Timofey Skatov 7-6(5), 6-3 in the championship match. Martinez is an eight-time Challenger champion.
Isamu Noguchi defends Thailand title
Japanese player Leo Noguchi successfully defended his title at the Bangkok Open. In the final, he defeated Czech player Marek Gengel 6-3, 6-4. Noguchi’s two Challenger trophies came from Thailand. As the top seed in the second leg of the two-week tournament in Thailand this week, Noguchi is aiming to add to his title tally.
Leo Noguchi wins Bangkok Open. Image source: Thailand Lawn Tennis Association
Chideh wins final set tie-break to win Nottingham
Clement Chidekh won the Lexus Nottingham Challenge UK to win his third Challenger Trophy in as many years. The 24-year-old Chidek, seeded second, fought back from a set down in the final to beat top-seeded Johannus 5-7, 6-2, 7-6(5) in two hours and 46 minutes on Monday. Chidek and Monday both played college tennis. Chidek, who played at the University of Washington, will play for the University of Tennessee on Monday the 23rd.
