From Madrid Open to the Challengers: Fonseca & Tien lead Estoril hopes, Tabilo and Popyrin headline Aix-en-Provence

The entry lists have been confirmed for the Challenger 175 events in Estoril and Aix-en-Provence, which will take place during the second week of the Madrid Open. These tournaments will welcome several notable ATP stars, including Joao Fonseca, Learner Tien, 2024 Canadian Open champion Alexei Popyrin, and Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo.

Challenger tournaments are typically contested by players ranked between the top 80 and 150. However, due to the two-week format of the Masters 1000 events, some players register for Challengers in anticipation of early exits—keeping up their match rhythm during the clay-court swing.

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With six players inside the top 50, the Challenger 175 Estoril boasts a draw that could easily resemble an ATP 250. Led by Alex Michelsen (No. 37) and Nuno Borges (No. 41), the tournament begins on 28 April.

It's a key opportunity for two rising stars making headlines this season. Brazil’s Joao Fonseca (No. 59) and Learner Tien (No. 69) will feature in the draw if they are eliminated from Madrid during the tournament's first week.

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Fonseca already followed a similar path earlier this year. After falling in the second round of Indian Wells to eventual champion Jack Draper (13th seed), he swiftly travelled to Phoenix, where he reached the final of the Challenger 175 event—defeating names like Struff and Nishikori en route—and lifted the title by beating Alexander Bublik in the final.

Other big names in Estoril’s draw include Marcos Giron (No. 45), Tomas Martin Etcheverry (No. 46), Jan-Lennard Struff (No. 51), Roberto Bautista Agut (No. 53), and Nicolas Jarry (No. 58).

Aix-en-Provence: Tabilo and Popyrin prepare for Roland Garros

The Challenger 175 in Aix-en-Provence is known for attracting quality fields—especially with early exits from Madrid. Last year, Alejandro Tabilo won the title just one week before stunning Novak Djokovic at the Rome Open, later reaching the semifinals of the last clay-court Masters 1000.

This year, the Chilean is back to defend his title, shortly after defeating Djokovic once again—6-3, 6-3 at the Monte Carlo Masters. He’ll be the second seed in a draw headlined by Alexei Popyrin, the 2024 Canadian Open champion.

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Both players are also entered in the Madrid Open as seeds, but in case they fail to reach at least the Round of 16, they’ve signed up for Aix-en-Provence to stay sharp ahead of Roland Garros.

Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego (No. 44) and Luciano Darderi (No. 47) are among the top seeds, alongside other strong contenders like Jaume Munar (No. 57), Roman Safiullin (No. 73), Corentin Moutet (No. 76), and Alexander Bublik (No. 78).

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