BUENOS AIRES/STARNBERG, September 27, 2026
The YPF Buenos Aires Challenger will have an Argentine champion for the sixth consecutive edition after Alex Barrena and Facundo Mena booked their places in Sunday’s singles final at the Racket Club.
Barrena, the No. 7 seed and currently ranked world No. 240, ended the remarkable run of Uruguayan qualifier Joaquin Aguilar Cardozo, winning 6-4, 6-3. Aguilar Cardozo, ranked No. 384, had arrived in the semi-finals on a 26-match winning streak and had previously eliminated top seed Francisco Comesana.
The 23-year-old Barrena recovered from a slow start and made the most of his opportunities, converting four of the seven break points he created to secure his place in the final.
The result gives Barrena his first ATP Challenger final appearance since last year, when he lost to Roman Burruchaga in the championship match at the Racket Club. A victory over Mena would give him his third Challenger title and his first since Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, in June 2025.
“I’m calm and I’ll prepare for it just as I did last year,” Barrena said. “It wasn’t that far away for me then; I even had a set point in the first set. At the end of the day, it’s still a tennis match. Nothing changes whether I win or lose.”
His opponent will be fellow Argentine Facundo Mena, the No. 8 seed and world No. 220, who continued his remarkable run of form by defeating Brazil’s Pedro Boscardin Dias 7-5, 6-0.
Mena found himself in serious trouble early on as Boscardin Dias raced into a 4-0 lead. The 32-year-old from Temperley then completely turned the match around, winning almost every game that followed to seal victory in straight sets.
The result marks Mena’s 13th victory in his last 14 matches and puts him into his third consecutive Challenger final. He lost the final in Augsburg, Germany, before going on to win the title in Porto, Portugal. The victory in Porto was his fifth Challenger title from ten finals, and another title in Buenos Aires would move him close to No. 170 in the ATP Rankings.
“The turning point was mental,” Mena explained. “The match had started very differently from how I had planned, and there was a lot of wind. I had to work through it until I could turn it around. I wasn’t connected and didn’t feel the tension in my body, which made things difficult. When I won the first game, I told my godfather that if I won two sets, I would sign for it. But I relaxed from there and managed to stay solid.”
Looking ahead to the final, Mena added: “It’s one of the most important matches of my career because of where it is and because I’m playing in front of my people. To be experiencing all of this after the age of 32 is beautiful. I’m giving myself the opportunity to enjoy playing at a very high level.”
Barrena, meanwhile, said he would focus on remaining patient and taking the final point by point.
“I try to be patient, play point by point and stay constantly focused. I have won tournaments in Argentina, so that gives me confidence going into Sunday. I’m very well prepared. I’m grateful to my family and friends for putting things aside to come and watch me. I enjoy playing most of the time, and that’s something that characterises me.”
Kestelboim and Rodriguez Taverna Win Doubles Title
The first Argentine title of the tournament has already been secured in the doubles competition. Mariano Kestelboim and Santiago Rodriguez Taverna defeated Bolivia’s Murkel Dellien and Federico Zeballos 6-4, 4-6, 10-5 to lift the doubles trophy.
Kestelboim, who won the doubles title at the Racket Club last year alongside Guillermo Durán, successfully defended his crown with a new partner. For Rodriguez Taverna, the victory provided redemption after losing the Buenos Aires doubles final five years ago.
The Argentine pair once again prevailed in a deciding match tiebreak, continuing a pattern from their previous three matches in the tournament.
@santyelduke y @mkestelboim son los grandes campeones del YPF Buenos Aires Challenger 2026! 🇦🇷🏆❤️
Vencieron por 6-4, 4-6 y 10-5 a los bolivianos Murkel Dellien y Federico Zeballos para coronarse en el Racket Club 🔥
¡Felicidades, campeones! 🍾 pic.twitter.com/MYMNk70vqb
— Buenos Aires Challenger (@ChallengerBA) September 26, 2026
“It’s a joy to win here with family and friends,” Rodriguez Taverna said. “It was the first time we played together and things went our way. We’re different and complement each other. He is more tactical and strategic, while I do a bit of everything.”
Kestelboim also praised the home crowd for creating a memorable atmosphere during the final.
“It’s great to see the court packed with people who came to watch the match and enjoyed a great spectacle at a time when we don’t know what the future of doubles will be,” he said. “I understand that sometimes it can be boring and attract less attention, but when there is a rally and the point develops, it becomes fun and entertaining for the crowd. We need to promote the players’ stories so that people can see more of us.”
