Liam Broady wins Miyazaki Challenger singles title
• 2 minute read
Catch up with the latest from the world of British tennis including a first ATP Challenger title in three years, a rising star winning on the ITF Tour and more doubles success.
Broady adds third Challenger title
Liam Broady took home his first ATP Challenger Tour title since 2023 at the Miyazaki Challenger in Japan.
After knocking out fifth seed Kaichi Uchida in the opening round, Broady fought through another three tough matches to set up an all-British final against Harry Wendelken.
Broady lost the opening set of the final but came back to win 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 against his fellow Brit and secure the third Challenger title of his career.
A former top 100 star, Broady’s journey back to the top of the game continues with the Brit jumping 31 places to reach world No.247.
Despite losing the final, Wendelken continues his strong run of form this season. The Brit won his first Challenger title last year in Hersonissos and made a final there again in March.
Johnson & Gray bring home singles titles
21-year-old Sofia Johnson won her second ITF singles title of the season at the W35 Jackson last week.
Johnson – who competes in the NCAA for Old Dominion University – had to come through qualifying at the start of the week to reach the main draw.
After back-to-back three-set wins in the opening two rounds, Johnson reached another level as she progressed through the tournament. She knocked out fifth seed Mio Mushika 6-1, 6-1 in the semi-final before going on to beat fourth seed Aran Teixido Garcia 7-5, 6-1 in the final.
Alastair Gray lifted Britain’s only other ITF singles trophy at the M25 Maanshan in China – the 13th of his career so far.
Gray recorded a standout win against Australian James McCabe in the semi-finals, losing the opening set 6-0, before coming back to win 0-6, 6-3, 6-2.
It was more straightforward for the Briton in the final – defeating Kuan-Yi Lee 6-2, 6-3.
2023 Junior Wimbledon champion Henry Searle made his second final in consecutive weeks in Heraklion but lost out to Belgian Michael Geerts 6-4, 7-6(2).
Trio of British ITF doubles titles
Gray wasn’t the only British champion in Maanshan last week – 27-year-old Charles Broom also came away from China with the men’s doubles title with Irish partner Charles Barry.
Broom and Barry lifted the trophy without dropping a set, finishing with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Tomohiro Masabayashi and Yamato Sueoka.
Elsewhere, British duo Scott Duncan and Hamish Stewart won the M25 Heraklion title after beating Americans Alex Jones and Miles Jones 6-4, 6-2 in the final. This marked their first title together a doubles team.
James Hopper was the last title winner of the week in the men’s doubles at the M25 Reus.
Hopper and American Zachary Fuchs defeated Daktotah Bobo and Brandon Perez 6-1, 6-4 to claim the Brit’s fourth doubles title of his career.
