Napolitano, Schwaerzler battle for first Challenger title in Kigali

Saturday, March 7 Final: Joel Schwaerzler Vs Stefano Napolitano (2:30PM CAT) Italy’s Stefano Napolitano will face Austria’s Joel Schwaerzler in the final of the Rwanda Challenger 75 on Saturday, March 7, at IPRC Kigali Ecology Tennis Club. Reaching the final was not straightforward for Napolitano, who began his campaign in the qualifying rounds after his ATP ranking was not high enough to secure a direct place in the main draw. ALSO READ: Cecchinato, Schwaerzler face off for first Challenger final in Kigali The 30-year-old battled past Arthur Gea in the semifinal in three sets, 7–6(3), 5–7, 6–3. The match highlighted how experience can make the difference in tennis, with Napolitano overcoming his opponent, who is 10 years younger. The French youngster fell short in his bid to become the second Frenchman to reach the Kigali final after Valentin Royer, who won both the Challenger 75 and Challenger 100 titles in Kigali in 2025. Meanwhile, Schwaerzler booked his place in the final after defeating Italy’s Marco Cecchinato in straight sets, 6–2, 7–6(8). The Austrian has enjoyed an impressive run in the tournament, having earlier stunned top seed and 2024 Kigali champion Marco Trungelliti in a thrilling three-set quarterfinal encounter. The final will mark the end of the first week of competition — the ATP Challenger 75 — which runs from March 2 to 8. The second week of the tournament, the ATP Challenger 100, will take place at the same venue from March 9 to 15.

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Napolitano, Schwaerzler battle for first Challenger title in Kigali