The ATP Challenger 175 series was established to provide an opportunity for higher-ranked players to compete on the Challenger Tour during the two-week ATP Masters 1000 tournaments. These special events offer substantial ranking points and promise high-caliber tennis from ambitious competitors. This week, attention turns to the tournaments in Phoenix, USA, and Cap Cana, Dominican Republic.
Nuno Borges Headlines the Arizona Tennis Classic
The Arizona Tennis Classic boasts a strong lineup, including four players ranked in the top 50, with all seeded participants falling within the top 75 globally.
In the first section of the draw, Corentin Moutet might meet his compatriot Quentin Halys in the second round. However, Moutet has faced a challenging season so far, with his only significant achievement being a third-round appearance at the Australian Open. This section also includes Kamil Majchrzak, a quarterfinalist in Brisbane, who is currently Poland’s leading male tennis player.
Nuno Borges, despite being just inside the top 50, is considered one of the tournament favorites, having started 2026 with a 6-8 record. American veteran Marcos Giron, with an 8-7 year-to-date record, is a potential quarterfinal opponent for Borges, known for maintaining his ranking through consistent participation in such events.
The third section features Adrian Mannarino, a finalist in Montpellier and a 37-year-old veteran icon of the Challenger Tour. He could potentially face his fellow Frenchman, Terence Atmane, a powerful shotmaker seeded 5th, in the quarterfinals.
The final section of the draw is spearheaded by the promising young player Zizou Bergs and is packed with talented contenders. This includes Benjamin Bonzi, Emilio Nava (a quarterfinalist in Santiago), and 21-year-old American Ethan Quinn. Given the numerous high-quality early-round matches and the potential for upsets, predicting a clear winner for the Arizona Tennis Classic appears particularly challenging.
Republica Dominicana Open Showcases Top 100 Talent
The Republica Dominicana Open – Copa Cap Cana boasts a strong field, with all eight seeds ranked within the top 100 globally, and the last direct entry holding a world ranking of #115. Top seed Miomir Kecmanovic, fresh off a semifinal run in Acapulco and a win in Indian Wells, is slated for a challenging second-round encounter, likely against Mackenzie McDonald, an in-form qualifier from Indian Wells.
Chilean player Nicolas Jarry received a wild card, but his form is a concern. At 30, he hasn’t secured a win since Wimbledon, signaling a career slump that has disheartened his dedicated fanbase. He faces a seemingly winnable opening-round match against Adam Walton, who has also been struggling. Indian Wells qualifier Chun Hsin Tseng is also competing in this initial section.
In the second section, Hubert Hurkacz is the seeded player, though 24-year-old Raphael Collignon is widely considered the favorite to reach the semifinals. Collignon recently engaged in a tough match against Joao Fonseca at Indian Wells and saw his impressive seven-match winning streak come to an end. This section also includes Acapulco quarterfinalist Mattia Bellucci, along with Indian Wells qualifiers Francesco Maestrelli (23) and Tristan Schoolkate.
The third section opens with an exciting first-round match between Indian Wells qualifier Dalibor Svrcina and Cristian Garin. The talented young Belgian, Alexander Blockx, is tipped as the favorite here, alongside the reliable veteran and third seed, Damir Dzumhur.
Section four features the well-known David Goffin, who is currently without a win this year, facing another seasoned player, 37-year-old Roberto Bautista Agut, in the first round. Additionally, 22-year-old Shintaro Mochizuki is also looking for his first win of 2026. Valentin Royer, who had an excellent Challenger Tour season in 2025, is the second seed. Given that several prominent players are currently experiencing a dip in form, the Cap Cana Challenger is poised to potentially crown an unpredicted champion.
