KOBE, November 10, 2019

Yosuke Watanuki of Japan claimed his maiden maiden title on the ATP Challenger Tour by lifting the Hyogo Noah Challenger trophy held at the Miki Disaster Management Park. The 21-year-old from Saitama upset compatriot Yuichi Sugita, No. 2 seed of the $54,160 indoor hard-court event, 6-2, 6-4 in Sunday’s singles final.

The moment of victory.

On his NINTH championship point, Yosuke Watanuki claims his maiden #ATPChallenger title in Kobe.

One year after finishing runner-up, the 🇯🇵 reigns on home soil. pic.twitter.com/iOJsbdtTZ3

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) November 10, 2019

Watanuki advanced to the championship match with wins over Japanese lucky loser Kazuki Nishiwaki, No. 10 seed Yan Bai of China, wild card entry Taisei Ichikawa, No. 16 seed Ji Sung Nam of South Korea and Duchman Tim van Rijthoven. The World No. 302 saved all three break points in the final and capitalized on three of his own 10 chances to secure victory in one hour and 29 minutes.

Watanuki, who needed nine match points to close the match out, pocketed on home soil $7,200 in prize money as well as 80 ATP Ranking points.

Raja/Ramanathan take first team title

Earlier in the day, Purav Raja and Ramkumar Ramanathan of India captured the doubles title. The No. 4 seeds defeated second favourites Andre Goransson of Sweden and Christopher Rungkat from Indonesia 7-6(6), 6-3. The encounter lasted one hour and 27 minutes.

🔊🔊@puravraja & @ramkumar1994 take the mic after capturing their first team 🏆 in Kobe. pic.twitter.com/8l6d8zAlrp

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) November 10, 2019