Rei Sakamoto accomplished the complete circle in 2024! The 18-year-old Japanese kicked off the season with the Australian Open junior title. Ten months later, Sakamoto conquered the house Yokkaichi Challenger crown, changing into the fourth participant born in 2006 with a Challenger title.
Thus, Rei joined Joel Schwaerzler, Joao Fonseca and Martin Landaluce on the unique listing. The Japanese added 54 ATP factors to his tally and handed virtually 250 rivals on the ATP rating listing to crack the top-450. Yokkaichi is Sakamoto’s sixth Challenger in a profession.
The younger gun earned a wild card and used it completely. He handed the opening three rivals in straight units en path to the semi-final. In an all-Japanese duel, Rei took down Shintaro Mochizuki 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 and reached his first Challenger last.
Rei’s reign BEGINS 👑
First Challenger title within the bag for Rei Sakamoto because the 18-year-old defeats Negritu 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 to seize the Yokkaichi crown! 🏆#OnTheRise pic.twitter.com/6owGLh4C1d
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) December 1, 2024
Rei Sakamoto wins his first Challenger title
The previous junior no. 1 confronted a qualifier Christoph Negritu within the title conflict. He overcame a gradual begin in a 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory, lifting a trophy in an hour and 42 minutes and celebrating a career-best second. Negritu stormed over his rival within the opener and claimed ten factors extra.
The German performed higher behind the primary and second serve. He created three break probabilities within the opening set and transformed two for a dependable begin. Nevertheless, a young person raised his degree from the second set, producing 5 break factors and shifting excessive with two breaks.
Negritu barely misplaced a few factors in his video games within the opening set. He grabbed a break within the fourth recreation after Sakamoto’s wild forehand, forging a 3-1 benefit. Rei sprayed one other forehand error within the sixth recreation, shedding serve for the second time and falling 5-1 behind.
The extra skilled participant landed a forehand winner within the seventh recreation, clinching the opener in 20 minutes. Rei had no room for errors, and he responded properly within the second set to launch his comeback. A youngster served effectively and saved the stress on the opposite facet.
They stayed shut to one another within the opening 5 video games. The Japanese lastly discovered the profitable formulation on the return in recreation six. He drew the German’s mistake and secured a break that pushed him 4-2 in entrance. Sakamoto cemented the break with a service winner in recreation seven.
He served for the set at 5-3 and landed a service winner, forcing a decider after 57 minutes. Negritu denied a break level within the early levels of the ultimate set and stayed in contact till 4-4. Rei attacked on the return within the ninth recreation, touchdown a sensitive volley and drawing the rival’s mistake.
Sakamoto transformed a break level after Negritu’s forehand error, delivering a vital break and shifting 5-4 in entrance. Rei served for the title in recreation ten and landed a service winner on a match level, sealing the deal and celebrating his first Challenger trophy at 18.
