Seventh time’s a charm: Lukas Neumayer throws Challenger the final curse | ATP Tour | Tennis

Challenger

Seventh time’s a charm: Neumayer breaks Challenger’s final curse

Diaz Acosta, Broady among Challenger judges this week

05 April 2026

Open City of the Challenge – Lapietra Trophy

Lukas Neumayer during his main run at the ATP Challenger 75 event in Barletta, Italy.
By ATP Staff

Lukas Neumayer’s road to his maiden ATP Challenger title was anything but straightforward.

The Austrian had come up empty in his first six finals at that level, repeatedly knocking on the door without breaking through. But on Sunday in Barletta, he finally flipped the script, winning the clay court event to secure his long-awaited milestone.

Neumayer, 23, got past Michele Ribecai 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the final of the Open Città della Disfida – Trofeo Lapietra. After his title, Neumayer rose 30 spots to No. 194 in the PIF ATP Rankings.

“It was a very good tournament for me because I felt in good shape and played good tennis,” Neumayer said. “I’m happy with this win. Italy continues to bring me luck because I can always get important results when I play in this country.”

Brancaccio has a great job title
Raul Brancaccio won the Open Menorca, an ATP Challenger 100 event, which marks Italy’s biggest tournament. The 28-year-old needed a decider in three of his five matches, however he breezed past Spain’s Alex Martinez 6-1, 6-4 in one hour, nine minutes. Brancaccio is a three-time Challenger champion.

<a href=Raul Brancaccio celebrates winning the ATP Challenger 100 event in Menorca, Spain.” style=”width:100%;” src=”https://www.atptour.com/-/media/images/news/2026/04/06/00/35/brancaccio-menorcach-2026″>
Raul Brancaccio celebrates winning the ATP Challenger 100 event in Menorca, Spain. Credit: Biosport Menorca SL

Diaz Acosta takes the second crown in 2026
Argentina’s Facundo Diaz Acosta continued his run of form at the São Léo Open de Tênis in Brazil, where he won his second Challenger title of the season. The 25-year-old, who reached a career high of 47 in April 2024, defeated Hugo Dellien 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 in the final. Diaz Acosta won the Tigre Challenger on home soil last month.

<a href=Facundo Diaz Acosta in Sao Leopoldo Challenger.
Facundo Diaz Acosta in Sao Leopoldo Challenger. Credit: Rafael Santos/Sao Leo Open

Mejia returns to the site of the first Challenger Cup and repeats the result
In 2024, Nicolas Mejia won his maiden Challenger title in San Luis Potosi, Mexico and dedicated the victory to his late father, who passed away in April 2017. On Sunday, the Colombian also won the Banorte Tennis Open, his fourth ATP Challenger title. Mejia downed top seed James Duckworth 7-6(6), 6-2 in the final.

<a href=Nicolas Mejia in action at the San Luis Potosi Challenger.” style=”width:100%;” src=”https://www.atptour.com/-/media/images/news/2026/04/06/00/37/mejia-sanluispotosich-2026.jpg”>
Nicolas Mejia works in the San Luis Potosi Challenger. Credit: ImagenShop

“It feels very special,” Mejia said. “San Luis has become a very important place for me. I am very happy to finish the week with the title. I am very grateful for my team, the people who help me every day. It is very nice to win here.”

Briton Broady has his first Challenger title in three years
World No. 278 Liam Broady returned to the winner’s cage for the first time since February 2023. The 32-year-old won the final of the British Koyushokucho Miyazaki Challenger, defeating Harry Wendelken 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 on the hard courts of Japan.


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