GUAYAQUIL/STARNBERG, November 3, 2026
Hugo Dellien has been crowned champion of the Challenger Ciudad de Guayaquil Copa Banco Guayaquil presented by CNT. The second seed and former world No. 64 defeated Uruguay’s Joaquin Aguilar Cardozo 7-5, 1-0 before the 21-year-old was forced to retire due to a back injury.
After heavy storms disrupted the tournament throughout the week, Sunday’s final could not be completed on the clay centre court at the Guayaquil Tenis Club’s Anexo venue and was postponed until Monday. Rain continued into the morning, prompting ATP Supervisor Ricardo Reis, tournament director Andres Gomez and both players to agree to move the match to a hard court at the same club.
When play resumed, Aguilar Cardozo held a 2-1 lead with a break advantage and extended his margin to 4-2. However, Dellien gradually found his rhythm on the different surface and fought his way back into the contest. The Uruguayan was already showing signs of discomfort in his back and received medical attention.
Dellien eventually secured the opening set 7-5. After the first game of the second set, Aguilar Cardozo was unable to continue. The two players shared a warm embrace at the net, with Dellien taking several moments to console his opponent as the spectators applauded.
Highlights final 🎾
Dos días, arcilla y cemento la final XXII del #ChallegerdeGuayaquil Copa @BancoGuayaquil presentado por @CNT_EC
🎥 @challengergye /Miguel Ballesteros
@ATPChallenger https://t.co/kfykVUXmP6— Challenger de Guayaquil (@challengergye) November 3, 2026
“I feel happy and, at the same time, very proud of having fought throughout the week. I think it was a difficult week, not only for me but for everyone. To finish this way is a little sad, of course, because it is always better, or at least more enjoyable, when you win the match in full and your opponent does not have to retire. It is a shame, but these things can happen. I am pleased to have had a good week,” Dellien said.
The Bolivian, who was born in Trinidad and competed with his Argentine coach Antonio Pastorino by his side, had finished runner-up in Guayaquil in 2019. This time, he was able to celebrate the title.
Dellien began the tournament ranked No. 119 but will rise to No. 107 following his triumph, moving closer to securing direct entry into the main draw of the 2027 Australian Open. The title earned him 75 ATP Ranking points, while Aguilar Cardozo collected 44.
The 21-year-old Uruguayan also enjoyed an impressive week in Guayaquil. His run lifts him to No. 288 in the ATP Rankings as he continues his pursuit of a place in the qualifying draw at the Australian Open. He was accompanied in Ecuador by his coach Facundo Arguello.
Andres Gomez Confirms 23rd Edition for 2027
Despite the challenging weather conditions, tournament director Andres Gomez confirmed that the Challenger Ciudad de Guayaquil will return for its 23rd edition in 2027.
“Every tournament has its own special moments. This year, we have faced something particularly challenging, not only for the tournament but also for many people in the city and across the country because of the weather situation. There are things that have to be started and things that have to be finished. Our commitment to staging an event of this magnitude in Guayaquil and Ecuador comes from the belief that whenever something cannot be done, or we think it cannot be done, we have to try,” Gomez said.
