ATP Challenger events pop up on calendar

While 72 Australian Open competitors are stuck inside their hotel rooms, the ATP Challenger Tour is rolling on in Turkey. Some of the top players at the Istanbul Challenger include Brandon Nakashima, Antoine Hoang and Lorenzo Musetti.

Nakashima earned a tough victory over Istanbul’s own Cem Ikel, hitting some flashy shots in the process.

Top seeds Daniel Galan and Thiago Seyboth Wild both fell in the first round. The Brazilian, who captured his first ATP title in Santiago last February, has now lost his last nine matches.

For the most part, the ATP Challenger Tour is taking a “wait and see” approach to their 2021 calendar, as almost no tournaments are scheduled past March.

On Monday, the Cleveland Open announced its plans for the first U.S. based ATP Challenger event of 2021, to be held from March 15-20. If the event is able to proceed, it’s safe to expect a loaded field as American players gear up for the Miami Open beginning on March 24th.

Rising American star Sebastian Korda, who skipped the Australian Open qualifying event to play in Delray Beach, is slated to play three ATP Challenger tournaments in France beginning January 25th in Quimper, France. Other competitors include Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Lucas Pouille, Nakashima, Denis Kudla and Hugo Gaston.