Kukushkin clinches Bahrain Ministry of Interior Tennis Challenger 2024 title

TDT | Manama                                                      

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan was last night crowned champion of the Bahrain Ministry of Interior Tennis Challenger 2024, which came to a close at the Public Security Officers Club courts in Gudaibiya.

Unseeded Kukushkin captured the coveted title after upsetting fifth seed and tournament favourite Richard Gasquet of France 7-6 (5), 6-4 in an exciting final.

In attendance were Minister of Interior General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, His Majesty the King’s youth and sports affairs adviser Saleh bin Isa bin Hindi, Asian Football Confederation president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, and Minister of Youth Affairs Rawan bint Najeeb Tawfiqi.

The Interior Minister and the tournament’s general supervisor Shaikh Khalid bin Rashid Al Khalifa presented Kukushkin and Gasquet their respective trophies in a glittering closing ceremony and awards presentation.

Also yesterday, Spaniard Sergio Martos Gornes and Greek Petros Tsitsipas captured the doubles championship.

They lived up to their tag as second seeds and overcame a tough challenge from fourth seeds Vasil Kirkov of the US and Patrik Niklas-Salminen of Finland.

They fought back from a set down to win 3-6, 6-3, 10-8 in a super tiebreak.

The Bahrain Ministry of Interior Tennis Challenger 2024 was part of this year’s ATP Challenger Tour, under the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP).

The ATP Challenger Tour is the second-highest tier of tennis competition, behind only the ATP Tour.

The Kingdom’s event, held for a third time, offered US$164,000 in prize money, and it attracted a host of prominent tennis players from all over the world.

In yesterday’s singles final, Kukushkin, 231st in the world, and 130th-ranked Gasquet were engaged in a thrilling battle in a see-saw first set.

Neither player could separate himself from his opponent, with each holding serve and keeping things tied to send the opening frame into a tie-break.

There, Kukushkin managed to go 5-3 ahead, and after Gasquet reduced the deficit to 5-6, Kukushkin secured the early match advantage with a blistering forehand down the right line.

Break

The close fight continued into the second set but Kukushkin was able to break Gasquet for a slim 2-1 advantage.

He then held serve for a 3-1 edge, but Gasquet valiantly stayed in contention and got back to 4-5.

Serving for the match and the title in Bahrain, Kukushkin would not be denied.

He went ahead 40-15, and then delivered a powerful serve which Gasquet could not return.

Kukushkin captured the 15th title of his ATP Challenger Tour career " and joined Thanasi Kokkinakis of Australia and Ramkumar Ramanathan of India as the tournament’s singles title winners from the competition’s three editions.

“It feels amazing,” Kukushkin said after the match. “It is the first time for me here in Bahrain and I love being here; great atmosphere, warm hospitality and people, a really good tournament. I felt so welcome, and I thank everyone involved in this tournament and to the Ministry of Interior.

“I played a lot of tournaments in my life, and this is one of the best ones. I congratulate Richard for a great final. He is a great player.”

Kukushkin revealed that he plans on returning to Bahrain next year and defending his title. Gasquet said the same, as Bahrain expects to welcome back both tennis stars in 2025.

“I hope to come back next year, it was an amazing tournament, and thanks for the support all this week,” said Gasquet, a 16- time ATP champion and former world number seven.

Meanwhile, with the doubles final, Martos Gornes and Tsitsipas denied Niklas-Salminen a second successive title in the Kingdom.

Niklas-Salminen won the doubles crown last year when he partnered with Bart Stevens of the Netherlands.

In 2022, the Portuguese duo of Nuno Borges and Francisco Cabral were the victors.