February 2013 Challenger Tour Recap: Aussie Kyrgios Grabs a Win, Dutchman Huta Galung Fights Back in Rankings
Steen Kirby, TennisEastCoast.com
Burnie Challenger (January 28-Feburary 3, 2013)
Aussie up and comer John Millman continued his good play this year, taking the prestigious Burnie challenger in Australia over French veteran Stephane Robert. Millman beat three fellow Aussies en route to the title, including another young gun, Ben Mitchell. Rubin Statham and Aussie Matt Barton were semifinalists.
Bergamo Challenger (February 4-Feburary 10, 2013)
Polish veteran Michal Przysiezny took the title in Italy on indoor hard in 3 sets over Jan Lennard Struff, who is at a career high ranking of 120 in the world. The semifinalists were Viktor Galovic and Peter Gojowczyk. Przysiezny notably beat Ernest Gulbis in the opening round.
West Lakes Challenger (February 4-Feburary 10, 2013)
Matt Barton continued his strong play in Australia and the 21-year-old reached a career high ranking of 235, beating veteran British journeyman James Ward to take the title. Barton beat Alexander Lobkov in the semis and beat young compatriot Luke Saville in round 2. Ward beat James Duckworth in the opening round as well as junior Aussie Nick Kyrgios in the semis.
Quimper Challenger (February 11-Feburary 17,2013)
Indoors in France, Marius Copil of Romania beat French veteran Marc Gicquel to capture the title. Copil is 22 and is at a career high ranking of 138. He had notable wins over Gilles Muller and semifinalist Dudi Sela along the way. Gicquel, meanwhile, who is just outside the top 120, had wins over Roberto Bautista-Agut and semifinalist Steve Darcis.
Salinas Challenger (February 25-March 2, 2013)
Alejandro Gonzalez took the small 35k clay court challenger in Ecuador over Renzo Olivo. Joao Souza and qualifier Stefano Travaglia were semifinalists.
Cherbourg Challenger (February 25-March 3, 2013)
Jesse Huta Galung, once ranked just outside the top 100, has experienced a precipitous rankings drop all the way out of the top 340 in the world. He finally got things back on the right track indoors in Cherbourg, winning over Vincent Millot after upsetting Sergiy Stakhovsky in the semis. Millot beat Kenny De Schepper.
Sydney Challenger (February 25-March 3, 2013)
In Sydney, junior world number 1 Nick Kyrgios beat Matt Reid and will rise to 330 in the world at the age of 17. Kyrgios has had a strong Australian summer challenger showing and in this event he had a win over Stephane Robert in the semis. Reid beat Sam Groth in the semis. As you can tell, these Aussie challenger events are basically a testing ground for their next group of talented players to come up the ranks.
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