Lexus Birmingham Open 2025: Virtanen captures his seventh ATP Challenger title in Birmingham

The 23-year-old didn’t let the rain delay hold him back as he won 6-4, 6-4 in an hour and 29 minutes against the world No.162.

Speaking on-court after his win, Virtanen was excited to take home his first title on the grass – becoming just the second Finnish man to do so.

“It feels amazing you know, playing on grass, I don’t think we have a single grass court in Finnland but in the end I always liked the surface. I played juniors then had a few years in between but played the last two, three years and I always enjoy playing it, it’s a classic style and it suits my game as well.

“It just feels great to win a lot of good matches and today a good match from my side. He put me really in a tough situation, so I had to do my best in a very important point.

Virtanen’s path to the title

The Finnish player thanked the encouragment he received from the Birmingham crowds as well as his support off-court: “It was great support, they make us players feel much better on court, you know you support everyone equally that’s the main thing and the players are enjoying that and it’s great for tennis also.

“Obviously thanks to my team, home, you know my family they’ve been supporting me and it’s a great start for the grass season.”

Virtanen came out strong, immediately asking questions of Smith’s serve as he created five break point opportunities throughout the opening set. The match continued on serve as both players held their nerve but it the end it was just the one break the Finnish player needed. After going up in the penultimate game, Virtanen could then serve out the set.

After finishing off his semi-final match this morning, Smith turned up the intensity coming into the second set. The American raced to 3-0 in the opening games but couldn’t make the advantage count as Virtanen fired straight back to level the scoreline.

Both players created opportunities in the latter stage of the second set, but it was six-time ATP Challenger title holder who made the most of them in the big moments, sealing the crucial break at 4-4.

Serving for the set, the Finn produced his 11th ace of the match before finishing with a final cross court forehand winner to secure the Lexus Birmingham Open title.

Earlier today, the men’s doubles concluded with fourth seeds Sadio Doumbia and Marcelo Demoliner taking home their first trophy together. The pair took an hour and 26 minutes to defeat Diego Hidalgo and Patrik Trhac 6-4, 3-6, 10-5.

A second ATP Challenger title for both players this year, Doumbia and Demoliner had to hold their nerve going into the final tie break.

After a close start, the pair got a key break at 5-5 and won the next four points to take the Lexus Birmingham Open title.