The match, held at the IPRC Kigali tennis courts, began on Saturday but was interrupted by heavy rain, which rendered the clay court unplayable. Schwaerzler edged a tense first set 7-6(5) after a 79-minute battle.
Thirty-year-old Napolitano, who had advanced through the draw with strong form, was leading 3-2 in the second set before play was suspended. The match resumed on Sunday at 11 AM, and the remainder took just 43 minutes. Schwaerzler demonstrated his composure in tie-breaks once again, clinching the second set 7-6(6) and securing the title, which carries 75 ATP ranking points and $17,000 in prize money.
Schwaerzler reached the final with a straight-sets victory over Italy’s Marco Cecchinato, 6-2, 7-6(8). Napolitano earned his spot in the final by upsetting the second seed, France’s Arthur Géa, 2-1 (7-6(3), 5-7, 6-3).
The two players are set to meet again in the opening round of the Rwanda Challenger II, promising another exciting clash.
In doubles action, the first week crown went to American Jay Clarke and Dutch player Max Houkes, who defeated Indian Siddhant Banthia and Bulgarian Alexander Donski 2-1 (6-4, 6(6)-7, 12-10).
The second week of the Rwanda Challenger 2026 will take place from March 9–15, offering 100 ATP ranking points. The tournament week features the ATP Challenger 100 Tour, following the ATP Challenger 75 Tour in week one. These events are part of the ATP Challenger circuit (ranking 50–175), awarding 75 and 100 points, respectively.
This marks the second consecutive year Rwanda has hosted both 75- and 100-point Challenger events, after debuting the format in 2025. In 2024, the country hosted a 50-point Challenger tournament.
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