LIMA/STARNBERG, August 27, 2023
#NextGenATP Ecuadorian Alvaro Guillen Meza has captured the title of the third edition of the Lima Challenger held at the Jockey Club Del Peru. The 20-year-old Guayaquil native defeated Blaise Bicknell of Jamaica in Saturday’s singles final of the $40,000 clay-court event.
Unseeded Guillen Meza battled his way to the championship match through the bottom half of the draw with wins over Valerio Aboian of Argentina, No. 5 seed Gustavo Heide from Brazil, local wild card entry Arklon Huertas del Pino Cordova and second-seeded Argentinian Renzo Olivo.
Guillen Meza, a two-time champion on the ITF World Tennis Tour this season, saved all three break points he faced in the title match and broke Bicknell’s serve two times to secure victory in one hour and 36 minutes.
Believe it, @alvaroguillen03 🙌 🇪🇨
The 20-year-old becomes the first #NextGenATP Challenger winner from South America in 2023! #ATPChallenger | @FETenis pic.twitter.com/p2zvjdtLiY
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) August 27, 2023
“He saved two match points, I had to stay focused. In the end, Blaise missed a forehand and I managed to win. I was quite calm, to be honest, I don’t know why. It’s a very special day for me, and I’m very happy,” said Guillen Meza.
By lifting his maiden Challenger trophy, Guillen Meza earned $5,500 in prize money as well as 50 ATP Ranking points.
Bueno/Vallejo triumph in doubles
In other action, Gonzalo Bueno of Peru and Adolfo Daniel Vallejo from Paraguay clinched the doubles title. The unseeded pair beat the all-Peruvian combination of Ignacio Buse and Jorge Panta 6-4, 6-2 in 67 minutes.
Bueno and Vallejo split $2,130 in prize money and collected 50 ATP Doubles Ranking points.
