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Rodesch wins the Oeiras Challenger as the college tennis pipeline delivers again
The 24-year-old is among four Challenger qualifiers as of last week
January 26, 2026
Beatriz Ruivo/FPT
Chris Rodesch celebrates winning the Oeiras Challenger.
By ATP staff
Luxembourg’s Chris Rodesch captured his second ATP Challenger title on Sunday when he won the Indoor Oeiras Open 1 in Portugal.
The 24-year-old, a former standout at the University of Virginia, is joining the ranks of alums to succeed at the next level. Last year, 23 different players with college tennis experience earned at least one ATP Challenger title, including Rodesch, who won his first title in Tallahassee in April.
Now back in the winner’s circle, the 6’6” (198cm) Rodesch defeated Hungary’s Zsombor Piros 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 in the Oeiras final.
Medal season in Oeiras 🏆#ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/bG9IWeblpN
– ATP Challenger (@ATPChallenger) January 25, 2026
“I’m very happy, it’s been a really tough week,” said Rodesch, who climbed 55 places to No. 154 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings. “I felt like my first two tournaments in Australia, I had really good quality, but I didn’t get the reward I wanted.
“So to be awarded now, in the third tournament of 2026, at the level I’m playing, is really good. It’s a really special feeling to win my second Challenger.”
Rodesch graduated from the University of Virginia in 2024, earning ITA All-American honors three times during his college career. Rodesch and World No. 21 former Gilles Muller are the only players from Luxembourg to have qualified on the ATP Challenger circuit.
Paraguay’s Vallejo wins its fourth Challenger Cup
Adolfo Daniel Vallejo won his fourth Challenger title at the Itajai Open in Brazil, defeating fellow prospect Thiago Seyboth Wild 7-5, 4-6, 6-2 in a final that lasted three hours and 13 minutes.
Vallejo, 21, captured two Challenger titles in 2025, including last week’s Guayaquil Challenger. After reaching the final round of qualifying for the Australian Open, Vallejo went to Brazil and easily made the transition to the wall. Vallejo is No. 125 in the PIF Live ATP Rankings, setting a new career high for him.
Adolfo Daniel Vallejo wins the Itajai Challenger.” style=”width:100%;” src=”https://www.atptour.com/-/media/images/news/2026/01/26/15/04/vallejo-itajaich-2026.jpg”>
Adolfo Daniel Vallejo wins his fourth Challenger title, three of them in Brazil. Credit: João Pires
Harris, who was number 31, returns to titletown
Former World No. 31 Lloyd Harris won his first title at any level since June 2024 with victory at the Soma Bay Open in Egypt. Fifth-seeded Harris, a quarter-finalist at the 2021 US Open, led Jack Pinington Jones 6-1, 5-2 in the final when the Briton retired with a right foot injury.
The smile of a champion 😁
Lloyd Harris lifted his first trophy since 2024 with a 6-1, 5-2(ret) win over Pinnington Jones at Soma Bay.#ATPChallenger | @TennisSA pic.twitter.com/4N90w1ZdiQ
– ATP Challenger (@ATPChallenger) January 25, 2026
Kwon, a tour-level doubles major, advances to qualify for the cup
South Korea’s Soonwoo Kwon also returned to the winner’s circle with his victory at the NovaWorld Phan Thiet Challenger 1 in Vietnam. For his first title at Challenger level or higher since winning the ATP 250 in Adelaide in 2023, Kwon went on to qualify to lift the trophy. The 28-year-old, who has won seven matches in eight days, defeated Ilia Simakin 6-2, 7-6(5) in the championship match.
