Kaichi Uchida won the first men’s tournament of the new year on the ITF World Tennis Tour at M15 Monastir.

The 26-year-old Japanese player defeated Austrian Alexander Erler 6-4 6-2 in the final to win his first title since 2017 – and fifth ITF crown overall.

Uchida has enjoyed a good fortnight in Tunisia, having also finished runner-up at an M15 tournament at the same venue a week earlier, falling to home favourite Skander Mansouri.

His triumph over the weekend was his first since he won a $25k-level ITF tournament in Canada in September 2017 and sees him climb to 321 in the world.

Erler, meanwhile, was able to make up for his singles disappointment in the doubles final, partnering fellow Austrian David Pichler to a 6-4 7-6(5) win over French pair Theo Arribage and Benjamin Pietri. It was a 15th career doubles title for Erler, who won seven ITF doubles titles at M15 level in 2020 - including six alongside Pichler.

Four men’s tournaments are taking place on the ITF World Tennis Tour this week – including another M15 event in Monastir, plus M15 Cairo, M15 Antalya and M15 Manacor. Follow the latest scores here. 

Czech teenager Anna Siskova won the first women's title of 2021 - discover more here.