O’Connell wins Fairfield Challenger
Christopher O'Connell's second ATP Challenger title of the year is expected to boost the Sydneysider into the world's top 150.
Melbourne, VIC, 14 October 2019 | tennis.com.au
Chris O’Connell is expected to break into the world’s top 150 after winning the ATP Challenger title in Fairfield, California at the weekend.
O’Connell beat No.1 seed Steve Johnson – who at world No.99 is the highest-ranked player the Sydneysider has beaten in 2019 – 6-4 6-4 in the final.
Chris O'Connell takes the title in Fairfield!
The 🇦🇺 has his second 🏆 of the year, toppling Steve Johnson 64 64. A first Top 100 win since 2016 for the Sydney native.
Congrats, @chrisoconnelll! pic.twitter.com/16hSGV9rnV
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) October 13, 2019
It was O’Connell’s first hard-court tournament since January — and the 25-year-old did not drop a set en route to the title.
He is projected to rise to a career-high rank of No.149 when this week’s new ATP rankings are released.
O’Connell has now won 71 singles matches in 2019.
Less than a year ago, he was ranked 1,177 after being kept off court for six months in 2018 due to knee tendonitis.
What a difference a year makes.
Chris O'Connell finished the 2018 season outside the Top 1,000 after missing six months with a knee injury.
Now, the 🇦🇺 is up to a career-high No. 149 with his second 🏆 of the year in Fairfield. pic.twitter.com/gwZD9tIZVg
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) October 13, 2019