AMBATO/STARNBERG, October 24, 2022

World No. 114 Facundo Bagnis of Argentina was crowned champion of the 2022 Ambato La Gran Ciudad ATP Challenger Tour tournament. The No. 2 seed $53,120 clay-court event in Ecuador defeated Joao Lucas Reis Da Silva of Brazil 7-6(7), 6-4 in Sunday’s singles final.

In front of packed stands at the Club Tungurahua, Bagnis struck 13 aces, won 88 per cent of his first-service points and broke his rival’s serve one time to succeed in one hour and 47 minutes.

Emotiva celebración de @facubagnis tras vencer en la final del Challenger de Ambato al brasileño Joao Reis Da Silva.
El argentino vuelve al Top 100 y suma su título #16 en Challengers
🎥 KCtenis pic.twitter.com/LqBxRrG5z4

— Kenny Castro (@kennycastrog) October 24, 2022

“Yes, it was a great joy. I haven’t been feeling very well for weeks, not because of the results, but because of myself. So, to crown such a beautiful tournament with so much warmth and with such good players is very exciting,” said Bagnis.

“I dedicate this title to my family and my team in Argentina. They were at my side when I needed them the most.”

Bagnis claimed his 16th ATP Challenger Tour career title, his second of the season following his triumph in Pereira, Colombia in early April. The 32-year-old from Rosario pocketed $7,200 in prize money as well as 80 ATP Ranking points and has returned to the Top 100, now being ranked World No. 99.