a historic and moving 20th anniversary, Mochizuki titled in singles

He left nothing to chance and was rewarded for it. Before playing his semi-final on Friday evening against the Austrian Rodionov, Shintaro Mochizuki closely monitored his potential future opponent for the title in Nouméa in the stands. He took notes and remembered one point: Bouzige will be difficult to bring down. “He was incredible. So powerful in the rallies. I told myself that facing such an opponent, I would have to run a lot, defend as many balls as possible and attack him as often as possible.”.

A promise kept on the last step of the BNC Open, leaving no possibility for the much-feared rival to set up his game. One of the methods used: playing long cross, going to the net and quickly finishing the points on the fly . The Japanese, former junior world number 1, quickly reaped the rewards, taking the opponent’s serve from the first game. On his, he scores four consecutive points to lead 2-0.

No doubt tired by his last matches and last tournaments, as he confided after the final to the director of the Nouméa Challenger, Olivier Le Dain, Bouzige foiled. He is often too long in his shots, and finds himself facing a tennis player who returns his serves very well and seeks to shorten the duel. While many low balls in the semi-final against Lestienne allowed him to get into rhythm, he seemed destabilized by those sometimes bulging from the Japanese. The gap increases: the first set ends abruptly 6-1. “It was very windy this Saturday, I thought it would be difficult for him to serve, especially on his second balls. I decided to use it as an advantage and I kept this course of action”.

In the next round, the old 129^e world in 2023, continues his work and creates a new gap when he breaks for 3-1. But he in turn commits more unforced errors and loses his serve in the next game. Physically blunted, he takes more time in service and even receives a warning. It’s an opportunity for Bouzige to turn the match around, which he fails to do, losing on three consecutive points in the process and conceding another shutout. Mochizuki signs an ace to distance himself at 5-2. He won the second set 6-3, the match, and this 2025 edition of the BNC Open. This is the first title of a Japanese in Nouméa. During the 2020 final, his compatriot Yuichi Sugita lost 6-2, 6-2 against the American JJ Wolf, the best run then recorded.

From this week at Ouen Toro, we will remember another remarkable and unprecedented event: the third consecutive doubles title won by the Mariannais Colin Sinclair. The Australian Stephen Huss won the double in 2004 and 2005, like the American pair Krajicek/Sandgren, in 2013 then 2015, and the Sinclair/Statham duo, in the last two years.

Associated this time with the Australian Blake Bayldon, Sinclair became champion for the third time. “I talked about it with my partner, I wondered if a hat-trick had ever been achieved in a Challenger. Maybe not very often. So it’s really special for me”he told us after the 2025 final won 6-3, 7-5 against the Japanese Tagushi and Matsuda. A moment that will also be remembered for Bayldon. “It’s my first Challenger title. It’s quite huge for me. I’ve had three finals so far without winning one. It feels good to finally be crowned!”

The Caledonians involved in the tournament were not unworthy. Almost 18 years old, Heremana Courte spent two rounds in doubles and lost to the future winners. In singles, Jalane Salaün-Ouillemon pushed Australian Cade Birrell to the third set during qualifying (6-1, 5-7, 3-6). The BNC Open was also marked by a vibrant tribute paid to a former young ball boy from the tournament who died.

For the 20^e anniversary, video messages from former champions were also broadcast. Very moved, the tournament director, Olivier Le Dain, thanked his predecessors and all those who supported and participated in the organization of the competition this year, despite the uncertainties linked to the events of last May and the months that followed.