OLBIA/STARNBERG, October 19, 2025
Luca Van Assche is back in the winners’ circle. The Frenchman captured the third edition of the Olbia Challenger on Sunday, defeating sixth seed Pablo Carreño Busta 7-6(5), 6-7(1), 6-2 in the longest match of the tournament. For three hours and 15 minutes, the pair delivered a spectacular final at the Cloto Arena, delighting the Sardinian crowd with high-level tennis from start to finish.
With his fourth career ATP Challenger title and first since 2023, Van Assche reenters the Top 200 at World No. 165 in the ATP Rankings. Carreno Busta also leaves with plenty to celebrate: his run to the final pushes him back inside the Top 100, to No. 97.
What a battle… ⚔️@lucavanassche fights past Carreno Busta 7-6(5), 6-7(1), 6-2 in Olbia to capture his fourth Challenger title#ATPChallenger | @meftennisevents pic.twitter.com/F2mXuBpqLD
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) October 19, 2025
“It was a great battle,” Van Assche said after lifting the trophy. “Pablo is an incredible player, and we both had an amazing week. I’m really happy to have played in front of such a great crowd from the first round to the final.”
The 21-year-old reflected on the significance of this win after a challenging stretch: “I’m a very different player compared to my last title and my best ranking of No. 63. There have been ups and downs, but I never stopped working to get back. Next, I’ll play in Brest, then hopefully in Metz, and I’ll finish the year in Bergamo.”
Carreno Busta, who showed flashes of his top-level tennis throughout the week, was also all smiles despite the defeat.
A Strong Finish for MEF Tennis Events
The Sardinian event marked the final stop of the 2025 season for MEF Tennis Events after tournaments in Tenerife, Parma, Perugia, Todi, and Olbia. “The crowd here was incredible once again,” said tournament director Marcello Marchesini. “The partnership with Tennis Club Terranova keeps growing, and working with such a professional and passionate team makes everything easier. It’s always a pleasure to return to this island.”
Marchesini also praised both finalists: “It’s great to see Pablo continuing to shine, and I’m especially happy for Luca. He went through a tough period, but now he’s climbing back. We’ve known Pablo since he won in Perugia in 2015 as a young talent. Seeing both of them performing here is special.”
With Olbia in the books, MEF Tennis Events now looks ahead to Tenerife and the 2026 calendar. “It’s been a demanding year,” Marchesini added. “I want to thank my daughters Elena and Federica and the entire staff. Our bond with the Canary Islands is strong, and we’re excited to continue building for the future.”
