SANTA FE/STARNBERG, July 9, 2023
Adolfo Daniel Vallejo has become the first teenage finalist from Paraguay in the history of the ATP Challenger Tour. The 19-year-old Asuncion native continued his great run of form this week in Argentina by reaching the championship match of the inaugural AAT Challenger Santa Fe.
In front of packed stands at the Santa Fe Lawn Tennis Club, Vallejo, who battled through the qualifying at the $40,000 clay-court event, rallied past No. 3 seed Roman Andres Burruchaga of Argentina 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 in Saturday’s semi-final. The World No. 582 sent down four aces and won 65 per cent of his first-service points to succeed after two hours and 53 minutes.
The former Junior World No. 1 said afterwards that he has already gained a lot of confidence over the past three weeks, as he reached the final of the ITF World Tennis Tour M25 event in Rosario, Santa Fe last week and he represented his country in the Davis Cup Group III Play-Offs, winning his match against Bolivia.
Navone remains solid
Vallejo will take on top seed Mariano Navone for the title. The World No. 191 emerged victorious from the all-Argentine affair with fourth favourite Francisco Comesana, winning 7-5, 7-5. Navone converted six of his 11 break-point chances to prevail after one hour and 55 minutes.
While Vallejo is seeking his first title on the Pro Circuit, Navone could lift his second Challenger career trophy following his triumph at the Poznan Open in Poland last month. Navone won the only previous meeting between the two last season.
LA NAVE ATERRIZA EN LA FINAL 🚀
Mariano Navone 🇦🇷, 1er preclasificado, se metió en la definición del AAT Challenger Santa Fe e irá en busca de su 2️⃣ título del @ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/Xuws9JCr6w
— Asociación Argentina de Tenis (@AATenis) July 8, 2023
In other action, Vasil Kirkov from the United States and Matias Soto of Chile captured the doubles title. The pair defeated Ignacio Carou from Uruguay and home favourite Ignacio Monzon 7-6(3), 6-2 in the final. The encounter lasted one hour and 11 minutes.
