SANTOS/STARNBERG, May 10, 2026

Uruguay’s Franco Roncadelli claimed the biggest title of his career on Sunday, winning the eighth edition of the Santos Brasil Tennis Cup, an ATP Challenger 50 event held at the Tenis Clube de Santos. The 26-year-old defeated Argentina’s Hernan Casanova 6–3, 6–2 in Sunday’s singles final to secure his first ATP Challenger title.

With the victory, Roncadelli earns 50 ATP Ranking points and is projected to rise to a career-high ranking of world No. 224. He also takes home the champion’s prize of US$9,500.

The triumph carries additional significance for Uruguayan tennis, as Roncadelli becomes the first player from his country to win a Challenger title since Pablo Cuevas lifted the Uruguay Open trophy in 2017, ending a nine-year drought for Uruguay in ATP tournaments.

What a championship point! 🔥

Franco Roncadelli captures his maiden ATP Challenger title after cruising past Casanova 6-3, 6-2 in Santos#ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/ZqYEyDHezc

— ATP Challenger (@ATPChallenger) May 10, 2026

“Santos will stay forever in my heart,” Roncadelli said after the final. “This is my first Challenger title and I’m extremely happy. Today I focused on what I needed to do to win and I played very well. I’ve been working for a long time at a competitive level, and before this I had already won some Futures tournaments.”

Clearly emotional after the victory, Roncadelli also thanked his coach Martin Rondi, with whom he has worked for the past year and a half.

Following the ceremony, the Uruguayan reflected on the importance of the achievement for tennis in his country.

“It’s very meaningful for me to be the first Uruguayan to win after Pablo Cuevas, who is the greatest player in our history,” he said. “I hope I can get closer to what he achieved and continue moving toward the top of the rankings.”

Finalist Hernan Casanova also completed an excellent week in Santos despite the loss. The 32-year-old Argentine collected US$5,500 and 25 ATP Ranking points after reaching his first Challenger final of the season.

“It was a very good week and I’m happy with my matches and with reaching another final,” Casanova said. “I love playing here in Santos and I hope to come back soon to try to win the title.”

Casanova will continue his South American clay-court swing next week at the Challenger event in Cordoba.