GUAYAQUIL/STARNBERG, November 5, 2023
The stage is set for a showdown at the XIX Challenger Ciudad de Guayaquil Copa Banco Guayaquil as second-seeded Colombian Daniel Elahi Galan and No. 5 seed Alejandro Tabilo of Chile will meet in Sunday’s singles final.
Galan, who entered the main draw of the ATP Challenger Tour 75 clay-court event in Ecuador with a wild card, defeated No. 7 seed Felipe Meligeni Alves from Brazil 6-4, 7-6(5) in the stage of the last four on Saturday. The World No. 96 hit 10 aces and won 70 per cent of his first-service points to secure victory in two hours and two minutes.
“It was a very tough, very physical match. I think the conditions were challenging because of the heat, and the humidity made it even more difficult. But I’m happy to have won in two sets because it could easily have gone to a third. It was very tight, and it could have gone either way,” said Galan.
Tabilo tames Burruchaga
In the top half of the draw, Tabilo edged past Roman Andres Burruchaga of Argentina, winning 6-3, 6-4. The World No. 125 converted five of his 13 break-point chances to advance in one hour and 49 minutes.
In 2021, Tabilo defeated Dutchman Jesper de Jong in the final to clinch his maiden Challenger crown, and now, two years later, he is going for his second title at the Challenger Ciudad de Guayaquil Copa Banco Guayaquil.
“I told my coach as soon as I arrived that when you return to a tournament where you’ve already won, something I’ve never done before, you have different feelings. I’m happier overall, because I love the club, all the people here are very nice and supportive,” noted Tabilo, who is accompanied by his coach Ignacio Jojot.
Tabilo is seeking his fourth career title on the ATP Challenger Tour, his third of the season following his triumphs in Francavilla, Italy and Karlsruhe, Germany. Galan could lift his fifth Challenger career trophy. The Chilean leads the pair’s head-to-head record 2-1.
Huertas del Pino Brothers clinch doubles title
In other action, Conner Huertas del Pino and Arklon Huertas del Pino of Peru clinched the doubles title. The siblings defeated Luca Margaroli of Switzerland and Argentine Santiago Rodriguez Taverna 6-3, 6-1 in the final. The encounter lasted 49 minutes.
The winners split $4,645 in prize money and earned 75 ATP Doubles Ranking points.
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