The men’s professional tennis (ATP) 2023 Busan Open Challenger, which drew attention as Jeong Hyeon’s second injury return match, ended with a ‘family feast’ by Australian players.

Australia’s 스포츠토토Alexander Vukic (27) won the men’s singles final at the Spoone Park Tennis Stadium in Busan on the 14th by withdrawing from Max Purcell (25) of the same country in the early second set to win the championship trophy.

Aleksandar Vukic receives and passes the ball from opponent Max Purcell in the 2023 Busan Open Challenger singles final held at the Spoone Park tennis court in Busan on the 14th. Vukic won his second Challenger trophy after withdrawing from Purcell’s injury. Provided by the Busan Open Challenger Organizing Committee

After struggling to win the first set 6-4, Bukic lifted the championship trophy without much effort as Purcell, who was in a hurry to change direction in the second set 1-0, suffered an ankle injury.

Bukic won the second challenger singles title of his personal career following last year’s Bengaluru Open Challenger.

Bukichi secured 200 ranking points (125 winners + 75 runners-up) by winning and finishing runner-up in three consecutive Challenger tournaments held in Korea, including runner-up at Seoul Open Challenger last month. The ATP ranking, which is currently 127th, is also on the verge of a vertical rise to the early 100th, which is a personal best.

The singles and doubles winners of the 2023 Busan Open Challenger tennis tournament, which ended on the 14th, and the organizing committee officials are taking commemorative photos. Courtesy of the Busan Open Challenger Organizing Committee

Purcell, who withdrew due to an injury, succeeded in reaching the finals for the second consecutive time following the Gwangju Open Challenger held last week, but had to be satisfied with second place in both cases.

With her two runner-up points, Purcell secured 150 points and raised her ATP ranking from 87th to a top 60, also a personal best.

Vukichi and Purcell are known as ‘neighbor cousins’ who live and practice together in Sydney, Australia.

Purcell also reached the final in doubles paired with New Zealand’s Rubin Statham (36), but abandoned the final due to an injury sustained during the singles match.

The doubles championship was won by Evan King (31) and Rhys Stalder (26, USA). The two became champions in two consecutive tournaments following the Gwangju Open Challenger.