Nicolai Budkov Kjaer has closed back-to-back title runs on the ATP Challenger-Tour with his Sunday triumph on the President’s Cup in Astana, Kazakhstan.
Already the youngest Norwegian who claimed several challenger titles, the 18-year-old added that count with a dominant week in Astana, where he did not drop the tournament. Budkov Kjaer, who won the Tampere-Uitdager of last week, beat the Italian Alexander Binda 6-4, 6-3 in the Astana final.
“I played some good tennis, I had faith in my game,” said Budkov Kjaer, a triple Challenger champion. “I served very well and I took my chances when I had them. I know I have a good level and I just tried to perform at that level every day.”
The #NextGenatP-Teener is in good position to qualify for his first trip to the 20-and-under the next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, held from December 17-21. On sixth in the PIF ATP Live Race to Jeddah, Budkov Kjaer focuses his sights on competing in Jeddah.
“I stay in the clay, I try to insist on the next Genfinal instead of going to the US,” Budkov Kjaer explained. ‘I choose not to go open to the US [qualifying]. It will be a long season and hopefully I will play the US Open for many years. ”
2025 x3⃣ ???
Two titles in two weeks while Budkov Kjaer Binda removes 6-4, 6-3 in Astana! #Onterists pic.twitter.com/0Cyuwb4bb4
– ATP Challenger Tour (@atpChallenger) August 3, 2025
#Budkov #Kjaer #Banks #BacktoBack #Challenger #titles