SAN MIGUEL DE TUCUMAN/STARNBERG, June 12, 2026

For the first time this week, sunshine broke through the clouds in San Miguel de Tucuman on Thursday, creating the perfect backdrop for a highly successful day for Argentine players at the AAT Challenger IEB+ Tucuman.

Six home players advanced to the quarterfinals, guaranteeing local representation deep into the tournament and keeping hopes alive for an Argentine champion on Sunday. Federico Coria, Guido Justo, Carlos Zarate, Luciano Ambrogi, Thiago Cigarran and Nicolas Kicker all secured victories at the Tucuman Lawn Tennis Club.

One of the standout stories of the day was Carlos Zarate (World No. 467), who reached the first ATP Challenger Tour quarterfinal of his career after defeating Peru’s Arklon Huertas del Pino (No. 769) 6-3, 7-6(3).

The achievement marks another significant milestone in the rapid rise of the young Argentine. In February 2025, Zarate earned his first ATP ranking point in Yerba Buena, Tucuman, after receiving a wild card from the Argentine Tennis Association (AAT) as a reward for winning a national ProTour event. Just over a year later, he is on the verge of breaking into the world’s Top 400.

Cali Zárate en modo Increíble Hulk 🗣️

El correntino de 21 años pasó a sus primeros cuartos de final del ATP Challenger Tour 👏

✅ 6-3 y 7-6 (3) a Arklon Huertas del Pino 🇵🇪 pic.twitter.com/ZZNBt5pybs

— Asociación Argentina de Tenis (@AATenis) June 11, 2026

“A little over a year ago, I played my first Challenger tournament,” Zarate said. “I knew I had to keep working, building my game and developing patience. I had good shots but I was very anxious on court. That’s something I’ve improved, and these victories are the result of that work.”

The Argentine arrives in excellent form after reaching the final of the M25 tournament in Cuiaba, Brazil, last weekend.

Zárate also highlighted the importance of having more tournaments in South America.

“I’m very grateful to the AAT and the organizations that make these tournaments possible,” he said. “They are incredibly beneficial for players like us. South American tennis is very competitive, and resources are not always easy to access. Having more events in our region makes a huge difference.”

Another major storyline was the continued resurgence of Federico Coria (No. 999), who defeated second seed Andrea Collarini (No. 304) 7-6(5), 7-5. Coria, who received a wild card from the AAT after losing most of his ranking points during an injury-plagued period of inactivity, has now won consecutive matches for the first time since May 2025.

His strong run in Tucuman has already lifted him more than 100 places in the ATP Live Rankings, where he currently sits around No. 890.

Thiago Cigarran (No. 818) also celebrated a career milestone by reaching his first Challenger quarterfinal. The 26-year-old from Buenos Aires Province battled past fellow Argentine Juan Estevez (No. 385) 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-2.

THURSDAY RESULTS

Singles – Round of 16

[1] Guido Ivan Justo (ARG) d Hernan Casanova (ARG) 63 46 64
[WC] Federico Coria (ARG) d [2] Andrea Collarini (ARG) 76(5) 75
[7] Nicolas Kicker (ARG) d Nick Hardt (DOM) 62 75
[8] Luciano Emanuel Ambrogi (ARG) d Santiago Rodriguez Taverna (ARG) 75 67(3) 60
Matheus Pucinelli De Almeida (BRA) d Lorenzo Joaquin Rodriguez (ARG) 62 62
[Q] Thiago Cigarran (ARG) d Juan Estevez (ARG) 67(5) 63 62
[Q] Johan Alexander Rodriguez (COL) d Eduardo Ribeiro (BRA) 06 64 64
Carlos Maria Zarate (ARG) d [Q] Arklon Huertas Del Pino Cordova (PER) 63 76(6)

Doubles – Quarterfinal

Hernan Casanova (ARG)/Santiago Rodriguez Taverna (ARG) d [1] Eduardo Ribeiro (BRA)/Federico Zeballos (BOL) 57 64 10-7
Joaquin Aguilar Cardozo (URU)/Santiago De La Fuente (ARG) d [3] Andrea Collarini (ARG)/Nicolas Kicker (ARG) Walkover
Mateo Del Pino (ARG)/Ryan Dickerson (USA) d Thiago Cigarran (ARG)/Matheus Pucinelli De Almeida (BRA) Walkover
Ignacio Monzon (ARG)/Nicolas Villalon (CHI) d Luciano Emanuel Ambrogi (ARG)/Maximo Zeitune (ARG) Walkover