SANTA FE/STARNBERG, July 8, 2023
Three players from Argentina and Paraguayan qualifier Adolfo Daniel Vallejo have reached the semi-finals of the inaugural AAT Challenger Santa Fe. Mariano Navone, top seed of the $40,000 ATP Challenger Tour clay-court event in Argentina, eased past his compatriot Tomas Farjat 6-2, 6-3 in the stage of the final eight on Friday.
The World No. 191 converted five of his seven break-point chances and won 61 per cent of the total points played to advance in one hour and 13 minutes.
“It was a difficult and tough match,” said Navone. “But I found my rhythm and stayed solid through the difficult moments. I am very pleased to reach the semis here in Argentina. I feel comfortable, enjoying my time here.”
The 22-year-old Navone, who captured his maiden Challenger title at the Poznan Open last month, will next take on Francisco Comesana. The No. 4 seed ended the run of Ecuadorian qualifier Alvaro Guillen Meza. Comesana beat his rival in in one hour and 42 minutes by the score of 6-0, 7-6(3).
Vallejo into first Challenger semis
In the bottom half of the draw, Vallejo has booked his spot in a semi-final of an ATP Challenger Tour event for the first time. The 19-year-old Asuncion native defeated Ignacio Monzon of Argentina 6-0, 6-4. Vallejo, a former Junior World No. 1, broke his opponent’s serve five times to seal victory in one hour and 28 minutes.
Flying into his first #ATPChallenger semifinal ✈️
19-year-old and former junior No. 1 @danivallejo17 feels good in Santa Fe! pic.twitter.com/ST74sT0Kiu
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) July 7, 2023
Vallejo will next oppose No. 3 seed Roman Andres Burruchaga. The 247th-ranked from Buenos Aires edged past eighth-seeded Brazilian Pedro Boscardin Dias 6-3, 7-5 in the longest encounter of the day, which lasted two hours and one minute.
