Nicolai Budkov Kjaer wins first Challenger title, follows Casper Ruud’s path

Final yr’s ITF junior no. 1 Nicolai Budkov Kjaer made a big step ahead within the second month of the brand new season. The Norwegian conquered his first Challenger title in Glasgow, lifting a trophy at 18 years and 6 months. 

Thus, Budkov Kjaer turned the second-youngest Norwegian with the Challenger trophy in his fingers after his nice compatriot, Casper Ruud. Nicolai can be the fifth participant born in 2006 with the Challenger title.

A young person joined Joao Fonseca, Joel Schwaerzler, Martin Landaluce and Rei Sakamoto on the unique record. On Monday, the 18-year-old will crack the top-300 and transfer nearer to getting into the Roland Garros qualifying draw.

Strain? What strain? 😉

In his maiden Challenger remaining, 18-year-old Nicolai Budkov Kjaer overcomes Durasovic 6-4, 6-3 to assert the title in Glasgow#ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/iuClTZarDQ

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) February 23, 2025

The Lexus Glasgow Challenger noticed an all-Norwegian battle for the title. Nicolai bested Viktor Durasovic 6-4, 6-3 in an hour and quarter-hour, enjoying effectively and lifting a trophy in fashion. A young person produced a scientific efficiency behind the preliminary shot. 

Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, Glasgow Challenger 2025© Stream screenshot

 

The younger gun dropped eight factors in ten service video games and stored the strain on the opposite facet. Durasovic couldn’t match that stage. The extra skilled participant provided his rival two break possibilities and suffered one break in every set to complete runner-up. 

Nicolai closed the primary recreation of the match with a service winner and repeated that at 1-1. Viktor fired a forehand winner within the fourth recreation, locking the end result at 2-2. Durasovic drew the younger weapons’ mistake in recreation six and remained on the constructive facet. 

Nicolai Budkov Kjaer© Stream screenshot

 

A young person moved 4-3 in entrance with an unreturned serve and mirrored that two video games later for a maintain at love and 5-4. Budkov Kjaer made a push on the return in recreation ten and generated two set factors after Durasovic’s wayward backhand. 

Nicolai handed his rival on the web on the primary, delivering a break and taking the opener 6-4 in 33 minutes. The younger gun gained a lift and offered two holds at love at the start of the second set. Budkov Kjaer stepped in on the return at 2-1. 

He welcomed Viktor’s horrible forehand and grabbed a break that despatched him nearer to the end line. A young person got here from 30-0 down within the fifth recreation and opened a 4-1 benefit. Durasovic survived deuces within the sixth recreation and remained in contact. 

ATP Finals 2024© Fb – Worldwide Tennis Federation

 

Nevertheless, Nicolai held at love in recreation seven for 5-2 and generated two match factors on the return within the subsequent one. Durasovic missed two recreation factors and confronted two match factors. He saved them, the second with a volley winner, and held after one other deuce to increase the battle. 

The youthful Norwegian left these possibilities behind and claimed a 28-shot alternate on serve at 5-3 for 2 extra match factors. He seized the primary after the rival’s free backhand, sealing the deal and celebrating his first Challenger title at 18.