Eliakim Coulibaly wins maiden Challenger title in Abidjan
At 22, Eliakim Coulibaly has claimed his first ATP Challenger title, edging Tunisia's Aziz Dougaz in a tense final
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It could hardly have gone any other way. On home soil, Eliakim Coulibaly pulled off a major result. On Sunday evening, the 22-year-old Ivorian won the ATP Challenger 50 Abidjan 2, beating Tunisia's Aziz Dougaz in a final full of twists (6-7, 6-4, 6-4).
In a match disrupted by rain and marked by long stoppages, Coulibaly showed great mental strength. Beaten in the first-set tie-break, he turned things around to win after a gruelling 2h44 on court. In front of a crowd firmly behind him, the young Elephant once again showed his ability to turn matches around, just as he had done in the semi-final against Lithuania's Ricardas Berankis.
A move into the ATP top 300
Against Dougaz, who was ranked higher on the ATP list (196th against 324th), Coulibaly let his determination do the talking. The win is all the more significant as it makes it three wins from three meetings with the Tunisian on the professional circuit.
Already impressive throughout the tournament (dropping only two sets in five matches), Eliakim Coulibaly finished in style at this historic event, the first of its kind staged in West Africa. The victory not only gives him his first Challenger title but also takes him into the world top 300.
It was sweet revenge for the young Ivorian, who had been knocked out in the first round of the ATP Challenger Abidjan 1 the previous week by Morocco's Taha Baadi (670th ATP). Coulibaly now appears to have real momentum and looks ready to aim higher.
And the crowd goes wild 🔥
Eliakim Coulibaly comes from a set down to defeat Dougaz 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-4 and lift the trophy in Abidjan!#ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/2jRKDwAGGq
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) April 27, 2025