Lexus Birmingham Open 2026: Yunchaokete Bu wins men’s singles title as Brits claim doubles crown
• 2 minute read
Yunchaokete Bu came through two matches on the final day of the Lexus Birmingham Open to be crowned men’s singles champion.
The Chinese world No.166 came back to defeat reigning champion Otto Virtanen 2-6, 7-6(3), 6-3 in the final.
Both players were competing in their second matches of the day having returned to finish their semi-finals – Bu knocking out Britain’s Arthur Fery in three sets, with Virtanen defeating second seed Kamil Majchrzak.
After two hours and a brief rain delay, Bu came through in the final to win his first career title on grass and his fourth career ATP Challenger Tour trophies.
"I just tried to stay focused on myself and to push very, very hard and try for every point," Bu said.
"The result sometimes comes, it sometimes doesn’t. I’ve lost two finals a few months ago but with this one I was very happy."
Just a few hours after beating Fery in a tight semi-final clash, Bu was back on the Ann Jones Centre Court to face off against last year’s champion Virtanen.
It was the Finnish star who got off to a fast start, dropping just one point behind his first serve and hitting 13 winners in a dominant opening set.
Bu picked up his level in the second set and momentum shifted completely shifted heading into the tie-break. The 24-year-old from China won the opening four points before a wayward forehand from Virtanen set up four set points.
Once he got back on serve, the Chinese star made no mistake – firing a laser backhand down the line to force another error and take the set from a frustrated Virtanen.
The pressure told for Virtanen midway through the deciding set. The former champion hit a double fault on the only break point he faced at 3-2, before Bu closed out eight of his last nine points on serve.
There was British success in the men’s doubles earlier in the day as Ben Jones and Joshua Paris took home the ATP Challenger title.
Jones and Paris returned a day after starting their final against Anirudh Chandrasekar and Takeru Yuzuki 6-4, 7-6(4).
It’s their first doubles together and a first grass court trophy for both of the British stars.
“Ben and I are really good friends so it’s nice to share this victory with him,” said Paris. “Hopefully we can carry on and get some more wins on the grass and keep going for the rest of the season as well. Thank you to everyone for a great tournament.
“We’ve had an amazing week here in Birmingham,” Jones added. “Everyone has been super friendly, super welcoming. Well done to Anirudh and Takeru – we’ll see you in the finals at Ilkley as well hopefully.”
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