Americans Sweep the NB Oracle Challenger Series

The Newport Beach leg of the Oracle Challenger Series ended on a positive note for Americans over the weekend as they won both the men’s and women’s singles championship trophies.

Tennis fans gathered at the Newport Beach Tennis Club to watch the final Southern California matches on the “Road to Indian Wells,” presented by RBC Wealth Management.

Delaware native Madison Brengle captured her first WTA title with her win in Newport Beach on Sunday.

Brengle outlasted Swiss Stefanie Voegele, the No. 6 seed, in three sets: 6-1, 3-6, 6-2. It marks the first time an American woman has won an Oracle Challenger Series event since Danielle Collins in 2018.

The 29-year-old Brengle started the match strong, dictating from the baseline and capitalizing on her opportunities, according to an Oracle press release. She held her serve without facing a break point and won the first set in just 27 minutes. Voegele was more aggressive in the second set, but that didn’t deter Brengle from playing even better in the third. Throughout the entire final set, she ran down nearly every ball and came out on top.

“I felt like I was able to move the ball around,” Brengle said in the Oracle statement. “I tried to pick on what I could. When I had the chance to stay aggressive, I did. I missed a few at the start, but I feel like I was good at continuing to go for it.”

She was very excited about her win, according to Oracle officials.

Shortly after Madison Brengle took home the women’s singles title, another American stepped on court hoping to make it a double for the USA.

Thai-Son Kwiatkowski produced an impressive display of power and serving, earning him his first ATP Challenger title.

Kwiatkowski dismissed Colombian Daniel Elahi Galan 6-4, 6-1 in under an hour. He delivered unreturnable serves, powerful ground strokes and displayed great athleticism.

The former University of Virginia Cavalier came out firing. He capitalized on key opportunities and held his nerve when his back was against the wall, edging out his opponent. Kwiatkowski’s aggression and big serving took over the second set, and he won 80 percent of both his first and second serve points, according to the Oracle message. He broke Galan in the third game of the second set and didn’t look back.

“It means so much. It’s been a difficult last few months emotionally,” Kwiatkowski said in the Oracle press release. “Just to come and play well this week was the only goal, and to win it is unbelievable.”

Semifinals were also full of surprises as Voegle upended favored No. 1 seed, American Taylor Townsend, in straight sets. On the men’s side, Kwiatkowski came from one set down to defeat No. 4 seed and local favorite Steve Johnson.

The tour moves on to Indian Wells in March.

For more information, visit oraclechallengerseries.com.