Galan To Face Rodriguez Taverna For Concepción Challenger Title

Daniel Elahi Galan (photo: Challenger Concepción)

CONCEPCION/STARNBERG, January 23, 2022

Daniel Elahi Galan of Colombia and in-form Argentine Santiago Fa Rodriguez Taverna will compete in Sunday’s singles final of the Dove Men & Care Legion Sudamericana Challenger Concepción. Galan knocked out Hugo Dellien from Bolivia, top seed of the $53,120 ATP Challenger Tour clay-court event in Chile, 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(3) on Saturday.

The third favourite won three points less than Dellien but was wide awake in the decisive moments of the tie-break in the final set to prevail after two hours and 38 minutes.

Rodriguez Taverna defeated local hero Gonzalo Lama 6-3, 6-4. The No. 8 seed sent down four aces and won 80 per cent of his first-service points to seal his 14th consecutive match win in one hour and 26 minutes.

Galan is seeking his third ATP Challenger crown following his triumphs in San Benedetto, Italy 2018 and two years later in Lima, Peru. Rodriguez Taverna could lift his second trophy. The 22-year-old Buenos Aires native captured his first title on home soil in Tigre two weeks ago. The pair will meet for the first time.

Hidalgo/Rodriguez claim doubles title

In other action, Diego Hidalgo from Ecuador and Cristian Rodriguez of Venezuela clinched the doubles title. The No. 4 seeds beat the all-Argentine combination of Francisco Cerundolo and Camilo Ugo Carabelli 6-2, 6-4. The final lasted 59 minutes.

By winning their second Challenger team title after Ambato, Ecuador last season, Hidalgo and Rodriguez split $3,100 in prize money and earned 80 ATP Doubles Ranking points.