By winning his first title in two years, James Duckworth sets a new Australian record on the ATP Challenger Tour.
Shenzhen, China, 22 October 2023 | Leigh Rogers
James Duckworth enjoyed a memorable week in China, capturing his 13th ATP Challenger Tour singles title.
This makes him the most decorated Australian singles player in ATP Challenger Tour history.
The 31-year-old secured his record-breaking title with a dominant 6-0 6-1 victory against Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong, conceding a mere eight points on serve in the swift 52-minute championship match.
It is Duckworth’s first title since September 2021 and snaps a five-match losing streak in finals.
Duckworth is the ninth Australian to win an ATP Challenger Tour singles title this season, joining compatriots Max Purcell, Jordan Thompson, Rinky Hijikata, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Aleksandar Vukic, Jason Kubler, Adam Walton and Chris O’Connell.
After peaking at world No.46 in a career-best 2022 season, Duckworth underwent hip surgery in early 2023 and was sidelined for four months.
The resurgent Duckworth, who is currently ranked No.144, was among six Australians to win professional titles in the past week.
Two of those title winners – Duckworth and Hijikata – will compete at the City of Playford Tennis International in Adelaide this coming week.
> READ: Star-studded field set for Australian Pro Tour event in Adelaide
This week’s most outstanding performers include:
Rinky Hijikata and Max Purcell: The Aussie duo, who were teaming up for the first time, won the doubles title at an ATP 500 tournament in Tokyo (Japan). It is 22-year-old Hijikata’s second tour-level title and 25-year-old Purcell’s fourth (and biggest since his Wimbledon 2022 victory).
Alex de Minaur: The 24-year-old was a singles quarterfinalist at the ATP 500 tournament in Tokyo. This was De Minaur’s 10th quarterfinal appearance of the season, the most recorded by an Australian man in a calendar year since Lleyton Hewitt in 2004.
Alexei Popyrin: The 24-year-old recorded his fourth top-20 victory of the season, beating world No.15 Karen Khachanov during a quarterfinal run at the ATP 500 tournament in Tokyo. This was Popyrin’s sixth career tour-level quarterfinal appearance and fourth this year.
Jordan Thompson: The 29-year-old scored his third career top-10 win, eliminating world No.9 Alexander Zverev in the opening round at the ATP 500 tournament in Tokyo.
Kimberly Birrell: The 25-year-old…
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