Mitchell Krueger and Blaise Bicknell to clash in Phoenix Challenger opener

Krueger favored to win in two sets in their first career meeting

Mar. 11, 2026 at 12:06pm

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Mitchell Krueger and Blaise Bicknell will face off in the first round of the Phoenix Challenger on Wednesday. This will be the first career meeting between the two players. Krueger, ranked No. 255, is the favorite to win the match in two sets according to the odds.

Why it matters

The Phoenix Challenger is an important ATP Challenger event, providing opportunities for lower-ranked players to earn ranking points and prize money. A strong performance here could help boost either player's ranking and chances of qualifying for larger ATP Tour events.

The details

Krueger, an American, has a 3-5 record so far in 2026, including a recent loss in the Indian Wells qualifiers. He has had limited success at the Phoenix Challenger in the past, reaching the first round in 2019, 2022 and 2024. Bicknell, from Jamaica, had to come through qualifying to reach the main draw, defeating Andres Martin and Thai Kwiatkowski. Bicknell has a 9-3 record in 2026, primarily on hard courts.

  • The match is scheduled for Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 12:00 pm local time.

The players

Mitchell Krueger

An American tennis player currently ranked No. 255 in the world, with a career-high ranking of 135.

Blaise Bicknell

A Jamaican tennis player currently ranked No. 475 in the world, with a career-high ranking of 306.

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What’s next

The winner of this first-round match will advance to face the winner of the match between Emilio Nava and Liam Broady in the second round.

The takeaway

This opening-round clash at the Phoenix Challenger provides an opportunity for both Krueger and Bicknell to make an early impact at this ATP Challenger event and potentially boost their ranking and career prospects moving forward.