After three years, Molcan clinched a Challenger title, proving he still has what it takes.

As is widely recognized, the rivalry in professional tennis circuits like the ATP and WTA is incredibly intense. Numerous players who were once ranked among the leaders struggle to make a comeback after dropping out for different reasons. Even more, reclaiming a championship after falling out is an extremely difficult feat. Nevertheless, last week, a player who had reached the lowest point showed his resilience by winning seven matches in a row. So, who is this player? Let this article take you through his story.

This player is Slovakian Molcan, who reached two tour finals in 2022. Furthermore, this time Molcan enlisted coach Vajda, who previously coached Serbian star Djokovic and helped him secure multiple Grand Slam titles. This move clearly indicates Molcan’s strong ambitions.

However, after 2023, Molcan’s world ranking steadily declined due to injuries. Last season, his ranking even dropped beyond 450. Because of his low ranking, Molcan had to start from the qualifying rounds at the Sofia Challenger last week.

In the first round of qualifying, Molcan dominated Indian player SDP Dev with a 6-0 set, advancing smoothly; in the final qualifying round, he delivered a flawless performance against Polish player F Pieczonka to enter the main draw of the Sofia Challenger. In the first round of the main event, Molcan faced wildcard entrant Bulgarian Ivanov.

Molcan won the first set of this match comfortably, taking it 6-2 and gaining the upper hand; in the second set, a determined Ivanov pushed Molcan to a tiebreak. Unfortunately, due to the difference in skill, Molcan lost the tiebreak and was eliminated. However, winning that tiebreak marked Molcan’s first main-draw Challenger victory since August.

In the second round, Molcan performed exceptionally well against wildcard Bulgarian Vasilev, conceding only four games across two sets, including a 6-0 second set, reaching the Challenger quarterfinals for the second time in the 2025 season. In the quarterfinals, facing another qualifier from Uruguay, F Roncadelli, Molcan showed no mercy and swept him in straight sets to advance to the semifinals.

In the semifinals, Molcan met the tournament’s sixth seed, Croatian player M Dodig, who has reached the second week of Grand Slam events and possesses solid skills. Although the contest was expected to be closely fought, the match turned into a one-man show by Molcan, who delivered another 6-0 set and a comprehensive victory, advancing to his first Challenger final of the 2025 season and coming just one step away from the title.

In the final, Molcan faced Austrian Joel Schwärzler, who was making his first Challenger final appearance. Objectively, Schwärzler also had a chance to claim the title. However, Molcan never gave him an opportunity throughout the match, winning in straight sets to capture his first Challenger championship in three years. By winning the title, Molcan proved he still has what it takes. That’s today’s tennis story; more to come tomorrow.(Source: Tennis Home | Author: Yixin Jushi)