TASHKENT, October 16, 2015

Konstantin Kravchuk took the title of the $125,000 Tashkent Challenger, winning Saturday’s final against local hero and defending champion Denis Istomin 7-5, 6-4.

The fifth seed from Russia sent down five aces and saved both break points he faced, converting two of his own. Istomin took a medical time out between the first and second set, received some treatment and didn’t seem to be at 100 per cent in the following. Kravchuk, who didn’t drop a set the entire week, finished the encounter after one hour and 26 minutes.

The 31-year-old from Moscow lifted his third ATP Challenger career trophy, his second of the season after his triumph in Busan. Kravchuk takes away $18,000 in prize money as well as 125 ATP ranking points, helping him to return into the top 100 at a new career high 79th position on Monday.