GUAYAQUIL/STARNBERG, November 1, 2026
Top seed Hugo Dellien of Bolivia will face rising Uruguayan talent Joaquin Aguilar Cardozo in Sunday’s final of the Challenger Ciudad de Guayaquil Copa Banco Guayaquil presented by CNT. The tournament is being held at the Guayaquil Tenis Club’s Anexo venue, where the experienced Dellien and the emerging Aguilar Cardozo secured their places in the championship match on Saturday.
Dellien Returns To The Guayaquil Final
Experience proved decisive in the first semi-final as second seed Dellien overcame Argentina’s Valerio Aboian 7-6(7), 6-2 to reach his second final in Guayaquil.
The former world No. 64 had to negotiate a demanding opening set before taking control of the contest in the second. Physical strength and a particularly effective serving performance in the closing stages helped the Bolivian secure victory.
A LA FINAL 🔥 Hugo Dellién 🇧🇴 ganó 7-6(7) 6-2 a Valerio Aboian 🇦🇷
El boliviano no ha cedido sets en el torneo.
#ChallengerdeGuayaquil Copa @BancoGuayaquil presentado por @CNT_EC
Sede @gyetenisclub Anexo https://t.co/4xpeKuIaY0— Challenger de Guayaquil (@challengergye) October 31, 2026
“Full recovery now. The first set was very long. I felt physically very good, and I think that paid off towards the end. My opponent started to loosen up a little, and I was able to take advantage. I also served really well towards the end, so I’m happy with that,” Dellien commented.
The Bolivian previously reached the final in Guayaquil in 2019, when he lost to Brazil’s Thiago Seyboth Wild. This time, he has enjoyed an impressive run without dropping a set.
“Hopefully I won’t lose a set in the final either. It doesn’t matter how you win, you just have to find a way to get the job done. That’s the objective. I’ve been playing well, so I’m happy about that,” he added.
Aguilar Cardozo Reaches First Challenger Final
Standing between Dellien and the title will be 21-year-old Joaquin Aguilar Cardozo, who continued his impressive breakthrough season by defeating Brazil’s Joao Reis Da Silva 7-5, 6-1.
The Uruguayan has been one of the tournament’s biggest surprises, producing another strong performance to reach the first Challenger final of his career.
Aguilar Cardozo acknowledged that his opponent had been struggling physically towards the end of the match but was delighted to seize the opportunity.
“I’m incredibly happy. I think Joao was a little affected physically towards the end, as he had been dealing with some discomfort during the week. But reaching a final is always a wonderful feeling. This is my first Challenger final, and I hope to enjoy it tomorrow and that we can produce a great match. I’m really happy,” he said.
The youngster arrives in Guayaquil with considerable momentum. Earlier this season, he captured four consecutive ITF M15 titles and put together an outstanding winning streak of 25 consecutive matches.
Dellien and Aguilar Cardozo will meet on Sunday, November 1, with the championship match scheduled to begin at 11:00 am local time. The final will be broadcast live on ESPN.
Hidalgo Claims Long-Awaited Guayaquil Doubles Crown
There was also reason for celebration among the home supporters as Ecuadorian Diego Hidalgo finally secured the doubles title at his home Challenger tournament.
Having fallen short in the 2021 final, Hidalgo returned to the championship match alongside Argentina’s Mariano Kestelboim. The pair delivered a determined performance to defeat Polish duo Karol Drzewiecki and Piotr Matuszewski 7-5, 6-7(4), 10-7.
The victory marked Hidalgo’s 20th Challenger doubles title and his second trophy alongside Kestelboim.
Highlights final dobles
Diego Hidalgo 🇪🇨 y Mariano Kestelboim 🇦🇷 campeones de dobles del Challenger de Guayaquil Copa @BancoGuayaquil presentado por @CNT_EC 🏆 https://t.co/xAWUMKmJXa— Challenger de Guayaquil (@challengergye) November 1, 2026
“I’m very happy. This title certainly took its time coming. Today was difficult as well. We had the opportunity to win in straight sets, but it didn’t happen, so we kept fighting. That’s probably the most exciting part, going through all those emotions, struggling and eventually winning,” Hidalgo said.
“Finally, I’ve won the tournament at home, at my own club, and I’m really happy.”
Kestelboim was equally pleased with the outcome, highlighting the importance of staying composed when things were not going according to plan.
“Sometimes things happen, situations that you have to deal with and try to ensure they affect you as little as possible. I didn’t feel that I was playing particularly well, but you have to keep going with what you’ve got. If you can still win like that, sometimes that’s just how it goes. I’m happy to have won and also delighted that Diego could lift the trophy here at his home club,” the Argentine said.
Challenger Ciudad de Guayaquil – Results
Saturday, October 31
Singles – Semi-finals
[2] Hugo Dellien (BOL) def. Valerio Aboian (ARG) 7-6(7), 6-2
Joaquín Aguilar Cardozo (URU) def. Joao Reis Da Silva (BRA) 7-5, 6-1
Doubles – Final
Diego Hidalgo (ECU)/Mariano Kestelboim (ARG) def. Karol Drzewiecki/Piotr Matuszewski (POL) 7-5, 6-7(4), 10-7
Singles – Final
[2] Hugo Dellien (BOL) vs. Joaquín Aguilar Cardozo (URU)
Sunday, November 1 – 11:00 am local time (live on ESPN).
