CALI/STARNBERG, July 1, 2022
After the ATP Challenger tournament in Quito was postponed due to a declared ‘state of exception’ in Ecuador, the South American swing continued this week in Colombia with the Cali Open. The $53,120 clay-court event is being held at the Club Campestre de Cali.
The Challenger tournament in Quito (w/c 27 June), has been postponed due to a declared ‘state of exception’ in Ecuador.
A new Challenger 80 event in Cali, Colombia, will instead be held in that week. pic.twitter.com/jjQJH5hB5R
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) June 22, 2022
Home favourite Nicola Mejia has reached the semi-finals following a 6-1, 6-4 win over Argentine qualifier Mathias Zukas on Thursday. The World No. 335 from Bogota fired 10 aces and won 85 per cent of his first-service points. Mejia, who captured three titles on the ITF Pro Circuit, saved both break points he faced and capitalized on three of his own 11 break-point chances to prevail after one hour and 34 minutes.
Up next for the 22-year-old will Miljan Zekic of Serbia. The No. 8 seed defeated Argentine qualifier Roman Andres Burruchaga 7-5, 6-2 in one hour and 36 minutes.
In the bottom half of the draw, Facundo Mena fought past South Koran qualifier Yunseong Chung 6-3, 5-7, 7-6(4). The second-seeded Argentine outpointed his rival 105-101 after two hours and 14 minutes. World No. 160 Mena will next play Nicolas Alvarez of Peru, who knocked out No. 4 seed Felipe Melilgeni Rodrigues Alves of Brazil 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(7). The longest encounter of the day lasted three hours and seven minutes.
