GUAYAQUIL/STARNBERG, November 6, 2022
A new champion will be crowned at the XVIII Challenger Ciudad de Guayaquil Copa Banco Guayaquil presentado por CNT as Federico Coria and Daniel Altmaier will go head to head in Sunday’s singles final.
Altmaier, No. 3 seed of the $53,120 clay-court event in Ecuador, ended the run of Italian qualifier Marco Cecchinato in the stage of the last four on Saturday. The 24-year-old German converted four of his nine break-point chances to secure a 7-6(4), 6-4 victory in one hour and 47 minutes.
#ChallengerdeGuayaquil 🇩🇪 Daniel Altmaier sacó boleto para la final. El alemán venció a 🇮🇹Marcó Cecchinato extendiendo su racha a 9 partidos. Repasa las mejores jugadas de este encuentro. pic.twitter.com/SqXR6qh4po
— Challenger de Guayaquil (@challengye05) November 6, 2022
“I think the most important thing is that I changed the rhythm a little bit, I am very confident in my groundstrokes,” said Altmaier. “At the beginning I played very well, I managed to get 5-1 lead and I lowered the intensity and at that moment Marco started to play much better. At 5-6 it was very difficult for me, fighting in the tie-break where everything can always happen, I came out very well.”
The World No. 91 extended his winning streak to nine matches after lifting the trophy at the Lima Challenger last Sunday.
“I am training quite hard to play well these weeks. I am mentally and physically prepared to play another final,” added the German in perfect Spanish, as he confirmed his girlfriend is Mexican and he practices with her, as well as with his coach, the Argentine Alberto Mancini.
Coria fights past Varillas
Earlier in the day, top seed Coria battled past fourth favourite Juan Pablo Varillas of Peru 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(4). The 71st-ranked Argentine withstood six aces and broke his rival’s serve two times to prevail after almost three hours of play.
#ChallengerdeGuayaquil En un vibrante partido, 🇦🇷 Federico Coria venció a 🇵🇪 Juan Pablo Varillas. Revive los mejores puntos de la primera semifinal. pic.twitter.com/MqdCEbUZTC
— Challenger de Guayaquil (@challengye05) November 6, 2022
“I am very happy, I think it was a mental battle because of the sweltering heat, above all,” Coria said. “In the end it was a lot of nerves, I couldn’t close it out with the match point at 5-4. The good thing is that this week I have remained calm when things don’t work out and luckily, I was able to get a great victory.”
Coria is seeking his fifth Challenger career crown, his second of the season following his triumph in Milan in June. Altmaier could lift his sixth trophy. The Kempen native is also leading the pair’s head-to-head records 2-1. Altmaier recently beat Coria en route to his triumph in Lima.
Argentines prevail in doubles
In other action, Guido Andreozzi and Guillermo Duran captured the doubles title. The No. 2 seeds from Argentina defeated No. 4 seeds Facundo Diaz Acosta of Argentina and Luis David Martinez from Venezuela 6-0, 6-4 in 60 minutes.
By winning their 13th team title, Andreozzi and Duran split $3,100 in prize money and earned 80 ATP Doubles Ranking points.
Guido Andreozzi y Guillermo Durán se coronaron campeones en dobles de nuestra 18va edición tras derrotar en la final a Facundo Díaz y Luis David Martínez 6-0, 6-4.
Andreozzi vuelve a alzar nuestro trofeo luego de haber sido campeón en singles en 2018
¡Felicidades, campeones! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/P4T8e5TLF9
— Challenger de Guayaquil (@challengye05) November 5, 2022
