Big in Japan - Rei Sakamoto clinches first Challenger title at 18

12/01/2024 04:44 PM

Rei Sakamoto completed the full circle in 2024! The 18-year-old Japanese kicked off the season with the Australian Open junior title. Ten months later, Sakamoto conquered the home Yokkaichi Challenger crown, becoming the fourth player born in 2006 with a Challenger title.

Thus, Rei joined Joel Schwaerzler, Joao Fonseca and Martin Landaluce on the exclusive list. The Japanese added 54 ATP points to his tally and passed almost 250 rivals on the ATP ranking list to crack the top-450. Yokkaichi is Sakamoto's sixth Challenger in a career.

The young gun earned a wild card and used it perfectly. He passed the opening three rivals in straight sets en route to the semi-final. In an all-Japanese duel, Rei took down Shintaro Mochizuki 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 and reached his first Challenger final. 

Rei’s reign BEGINS 👑 First Challenger title in the bag for Rei Sakamoto as the 18-year-old defeats Negritu 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 to capture the Yokkaichi crown! 🏆#OnTheRisepic.twitter.com/6owGLh4C1d

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) December 1, 2024

The former junior no. 1 faced a qualifier Christoph Negritu in the title clash. He overcame a slow start in a 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory, lifting a trophy in an hour and 42 minutes and celebrating a career-best moment. Negritu stormed over his rival in the opener and claimed ten points more.

The German played better behind the first and second serve. He created three break chances in the opening set and converted two for a reliable start. However, a teenager raised his level from the second set, generating five break points and moving over the top with two breaks. 

Negritu barely lost a couple of points in his games in the opening set. He grabbed a break in the fourth game after Sakamoto's wild forehand, forging a 3-1 advantage. Rei sprayed another forehand error in the sixth game, losing serve for the second time and falling 5-1 behind. 

The more experienced player landed a forehand winner in the seventh game, clinching the opener in 20 minutes. Rei had no room for errors, and he responded nicely in the second set to launch his comeback. A teenager served well and kept the pressure on the other side. 

They stayed close to each other in the opening five games. The Japanese finally found the winning formula on the return in game six. He drew the German's mistake and secured a break that pushed him 4-2 in front. Sakamoto cemented the break with a service winner in game seven.

He served for the set at 5-3 and landed a service winner, forcing a decider after 57 minutes. Negritu denied a break point in the early stages of the final set and stayed in touch until 4-4. Rei attacked on the return in the ninth game, landing a touchy volley and drawing the rival's mistake. 

Sakamoto converted a break point after Negritu's forehand error, delivering a crucial break and moving 5-4 in front. Rei served for the title in game ten and landed a service winner on a match point, sealing the deal and celebrating his first Challenger trophy at 18.