Drama, Sunshine and a Breakout Star: Vilius Gaubas wins Menorca Challenger's historic debut

The ATP Challenger Tour made a sparkling debut on the Balearic Island of Menorca last week, and it didn’t disappoint. For the first time, the professional tennis caravan set up camp on the second-largest island of the Spanish archipelago, and the inaugural edition of the Open Menorca had everything: drama, sunshine, and a breakout star in Vilius Gaubas.

The 20-year-old Lithuanian delivered an impressive run through the €145,250 clay-court event. After defeating Germany’s Henri Squire, France’s Arthur Gea, and second seed Sebastian Ofner of Austria, Gaubas powered past rising Peruvian Ignacio Buse in the semifinals to earn his spot in the championship match.

Under blue skies and in front of a packed crowd at the Tennis Club Ciutadella, Gaubas met local favorite Pol Martín Tiffon in the final. Gaubas came out firing, storming through the opening set 6-0 with commanding baseline play. Despite a stronger challenge from Martín Tiffon in the second set, the Lithuanian stayed composed and sealed a 6-0, 6-4 victory in just 78 minutes.

“It was a mental game for me. I played well, but it was hard to close it out because I was quite nervous,” Gaubas admitted. “I tried not to think about the fact that it was a final, but of course I felt the tension and the crowd. In the end, I just went for it—and it worked.”

Reflecting on his opponent, he added: “Pol didn’t look 100 percent in the first set. I was relaxed and stuck to my game. After a medical timeout, he started playing more aggressively, and it worked for a while, but it’s hard to maintain that level. I just focused on staying solid.”

Gaubas, who practices in Alicante under the guidance of former world No. 23 Guillermo García-López, claimed his second ATP Challenger Tour career title after winning his maiden trophy in Cordenons, Italy, last year. Alongside €20,630 in prize money, Gaubas also picked up 100 ATP Ranking points, propelling him to a new career-high of World No. 149.

It feels amazing. I didn’t have the best start to the season, but my goal was to crack the Top 150—so I’m super happy right now. Vilius Gaubas

Svrcina Triumphs in Barletta 🇮🇹

Dalibor Svrcina of the Czech Republic also had reason to celebrate this week. The 22-year-old clinched his second ATP Challenger title of the season at the Open Città della Disfida in Barletta, Italy. Svrcina, the No. 3 seed, ended the fairytale run of Ukrainian qualifier Vitaliy Sachko with a 7-5, 6-3 win in the final—marking his fourth Challenger title overall.

Barrios Vera Victorious in Campinas 🇧🇷

Across the Atlantic in Brazil, Chile’s Tomas Barrios Vera lifted the trophy at the 15th edition of the Torneio Internacional de Tênis de Campinas. The 27-year-old top seed defeated Ecuador’s Alvaro Guillen Meza 6-4, 6-3 in the final to secure his fifth Challenger title.

“It was a tough week with a lot of work, but I’m very satisfied,” said Barrios Vera. “I played well in the early rounds and kept building confidence. I always enjoy playing in Brazil—the atmosphere here in Campinas is fantastic.”

The win earned him 75 ATP Ranking points and $14,200, pushing his ranking up to No. 128.

Huesler claims another trophy in Mexico 🇲🇽

Marc-Andrea Huesler was crowned champion at the Morelos Open presentado por Metaxchange in Cuernavaca, for his fourth ATP Challenger Tour triumph on Mexican soil. The No. 4 seed from Switzerland defeated Kazakh Dmitry Popko 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 in the final.

“I am very happy. It was a tough week with a lot of tight matches,” Huesler said during his post-match press conference. “Every Challenger title is something special but obviously the ones in Mexico will have a special place in my heart. I won my first Futures here; I won my first Challenger here and I won my first 125 here. Basically, I need to go to Acapulco to get my first ATP 500 title there,” he added with a smile.

“The atmosphere during the week was great, as many people came out to watch. All the players really feel like home here and that’s why many players enjoy playing in Mexico,” Huesler concluded.

This Week: Spotlight on Mexico City

🇲🇽 Attention shifts to Mexico again, where the Mexico City Open has quickly grown into one of the most prestigious ATP Challenger events in the region. With sold-out final rounds in previous editions and named “Best ATP Challenger in the World” in 2024, the tournament is hosted by the Centro Deportivo Chapultepec and offers $200,000 in prize money.

"This is a fantastic recognition of our work and the passion we put into every tournament. We want to continue providing an unforgettable experience for both players and fans," said Jorge Nicolín, General Director of the Centro Deportivo Chapultepec.

Top seed James Duckworth of Australia leads the field, while Argentine Thiago Tirante returns to defend his title. Fresh from his title win at the Morelos Open, Marc-Andrea Huesler, who won the event’s inaugural edition three years ago, also joins the draw.

**Follow all the action from Mexico live on the Tennis Channel app—the official home of the ATP Challenger Tour in the USA and beyond.**

More ATP Challenger Tour Action

🇺🇸 In Florida, the Elizabeth Moore Sarasota Open is underway, with American Eliot Spizzirri leading the field. Other title contenders include Argentina’s Federico Agustin Gomez, Mitchell Krueger from the United States, and in-form Chilean Tomas Barrios Vera.

🇮🇹 Meanwhile, Monza, Italy returns to the ATP Challenger Tour after a 13-year hiatus. The Atkinsons Monza Open offers €145,250 in prize money and 125 ATP Ranking points to the winner. World No. 91 Raphael Collignon leads the top half of the draw, with American teenager Nishesh Basavareddy, Brazilian Thiago Seyboth Wild and Argentine Federico Coria rounding out the top four seeds.

🇪🇸 The Spanish spring swing continues as well, with the Grand Prix by Mercedes Benz Open Comunidad de Madrid taking place in the capital. Former world No. 12 Borna Coric is the top seed, with Hugo Dellien, Billy Harris, and Alexander Shevchenko also in the hunt for the title.