KNOXVILLE, November 13, 2017

Filip Peliwo clinched his maiden ATP Challenger title at the $75,000 Knoxville Challenger held at University of Tennessee Goodfriend Indoor Tennis Center. The 23-year-old Canadian qualifier cruised past unseeded US-American Denis Kudla in Sunday’s single final in just under one of play.

Peliwo sent down four aces, winning 81 per cent of his first service points and broke serve four times to secure his first ATP Challenger title.

First #ATPChallenger title for @filippeliwo! The 🇨🇦 defeats Denis Kudla 64 62 for the @KnoxChallenger 🏆. pic.twitter.com/ZWOETrC8PL

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) 13. November 2017

Peliwo, who also appeared in his first final at Challenger-level, takes away $10,800 in prize mone as well as 80 ATP ranking points. He is now ranked on a career high World No. 195.

“Earlier in the year, I fought through many Futures events and was grinding it out. I had a few titles out there, which got me started on this roll. It’s been a great year in general and to cap that off like this is great,” the former junior World No. 1 Peliwo was happy afterwards. He will next play at the JSM Challenger of Champaign.

“I’m just going to celebrate my driving a few hours to Louisville and then Champaign. Especially at the end of the year I don’t want to tire myself out too much. I’ll definitely have a nice meal and some nice dessert that I’ve been putting off for a while. Something small and mellow.”

Earlier in the day, top seeds Leander Paes and Purav Raja from India defeated US-American James Cerretani and John-Patrick Smith of Australia 7-6, 7-6 to clinch the doubles crown. The encounter lasted one hour and 46 minutes.