The 28-year-old Kamil Majchrzak claimed his fifth Challenger title at the Rwanda Challenger in Kigali, extending his great comeback run. Kamil served a 13-month suspension, with the International Tennis Integrity Agency banning him after a failed drug test. The Pole missed the 2023 season and started from rock bottom at the start of 2024, earning a qualifying wild card and beating eight rivals in straight sets en route to a trophy. Kamil secured another Futures crown before stepping in on clay in Rwanda, earning his first Challenger trophy after Busan in October 2022. World no. 652 was among the favorites, and he made a reliable start, reaching the semi-final without losing a set.
Kamil Majchrzak, Rwanda 2024© Kamil Majchrzak – Facebook
Max Houkes claimed the opener against Majchrzak in the semi-final before the Pole bounced back, taking sets two and three and arranging the title duel against Marco Trungelliti. Kamil notched a 6-4, 6-4 triumph in an hour and 33 minutes, lifting the trophy and adding 50 ATP points to his tally, doing enough to crack the top-450. Majchrzak erased a 3-1 deficit in the first set and grabbed a late break in the second to seal the deal in straight sets. Kamil dominated with his first serve, saving five out of six break points (four at the start of the second set) and turning 18 out of 27 points on the rival’s second serve into three breaks from seven opportunities. The Pole will stay in Kigali, starting another Challenger from the qualifying round on Monday.
Kamil Majchrzak claimed his fifth Challenger title in KIgali, Rwanda.
Trungelliti sprayed a forehand error in the first game of the final, allowing Majchrzak to hold at love. The Argentine held at 15 in game two after the rival’s backhand error, leveling the score and getting his name on the scoreboard. Kamil netted a backhand in the third game and lost serve when his forehand landed wide, sending Marco 2-1 in front. Trungelliti landed an ace in the fourth game, cementing the lead and forging a 3-1 advantage. Trungelliti squandered game points in game six and played against five break chances. Marco netted a forehand on the last, losing serve and bringing his opponent back to 3-3. Kamil held at 15 in game seven and closed the ninth at love with a forehand winner at the net, keeping the pressure on the other side.
Kamil Majchrzak, Rwanda 2024© Kamil Majchrzak -Facebook
Trungelliti served to stay in the set at 4-5 and played a loose forehand to offer his rival a set point. Kamil seized it after an extended rally and Marco’s forehand error, claiming the opener 6-4 after 44 minutes. The Pole made a shaky start to the second set, facing four break points in the first game. Trungelliti wasted them and sprayed a backhand error, allowing Majchrzak to close the game and avoid an early setback. Kamil painted a backhand down the line winner in the third game, holding at love and moving 3-2 up following a hold at 30 in game five. The Pole netted a backhand in the seventh game, facing the sixth and last break point.
Majchrzak denied it with a powerful serve and painted a backhand crosscourt winner for a hold and 4-3. Trungelliti closed the eighth game at 30, staying on the positive side and extending the drama. Kamil forced Marco’s error in the ninth game, holding at 30 and forcing his rival to serve to stay in the match. Trungelliti sprayed a backhand mistake and offered Majchrzak a match point. The Pole converted it after a thrilling point and a volley winner at the net, celebrating his most notable title in almost a year and a half and staying on the comeback course.
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