GUAYAQUIL/STARNBERG, November 6, 2021
Three South Americans and one player from Europe advanced to the semi-finals of the Challenger Ciudad de Guayaquil Copa Banco Guayaquil presented by CNT, a $52,080 clay-court tournament being held at the Anexo Guayaquil Tenis Club.
Jesper de Jong from the Netherlands upset No. 3 seed Daniel Elahi Galan of Colombia 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-3 on Friday. The World No. 232 saved all eight break points he faced and converted three of his own eight break-point chances to seal victory in two hours and 36 minutes.
Highlights 4tos de final Jesper De Jong HOL vs Daniel Galán COL #ChallengerdeGuayaquil pic.twitter.com/ANKlfHGWWA
— Challenger de Guayaquil (@challengye05) November 6, 2021
De Jong will next take on Tomas Etcheverry. The No. 8 seed won the all-Argentine encounter with second seed Facundo Bagnis 6-4, 6-0. Etcheverry broke his opponent’s serve six times to succeed after one hour and 29 minutes.
“I think that I played a good match. I just stayed focused on the next point. I capitalized on my chances and held my serve. I am happy,” said Etcheverry, who reaches his 10th semi-final of the season.
In the top half of the draw, Alejandro Tabilo continued his fine run of form this week in Ecuador. The 24-year-old Chilean, who knocked out No. 1 seed Jaume Munar in the opening round, defeated Goncalo Oliveira from Portugal 6-4, 6-3. Tabilo struck 12 aces and won 77 per cent of his first-service points to prevail after one hour and 21 minutes.
Highlights 4tos de final Alejandro Tabilo CHI cs Goncalo Oliveira POR #ChallengerdeGuayaquil pic.twitter.com/LhayhhlzEn
— Challenger de Guayaquil (@challengye05) November 6, 2021
“I am having a very good rhythm and a lot of confidence but I have to stay focused,” said Tabilo and will next face sixth-seeded Brazilian Thiago Seyboth Wild, who edged out Nicolas Kicker from Argentina 6-4, 7-6(8). The encounter lasted two hours and 27 minutes.
Later in the day and alongside his compatriot Bart Stevens, de Jong also booked his place in the doubles final. The Dutchmen will face Diego Hidalgo from Ecuador and Cristian Rodriguez of Colombia for the title.
