BUENOS AIRES/STARNBERG, October 15, 2023
With Mariano Navone and Federico Coria two Argentines will compete in Sunday’s singles final of the Challenger de Buenos, organized by Torneos and being held at the Racket Club de Palermo.
Navone rallied past Luciano Darderi of Italy 2-6, 6-4, 7-5 in the stage of the last four on Saturday. The 22-year-old converted six of his 15 break-point opportunities and won three points more than his rival to prevail after two hours and 40 minutes.
🎾 @marianonavone1 es el primer finalista del #ChallengerBA
📌 Avanzó luego de vencer 2-6, 6-4 y 7-5 a Luciano Darderi
🔜 Espera por Federico Coria o Facundo Díaz Acosta pic.twitter.com/jCLy5E24f6
— Challenger de Buenos Aires (@ChallengerBA) October 14, 2023
“I started off hesitantly in the first set, and it was very difficult to counter his shots. But then, I started opening up the game, making him run from side to side, which was crucial for the victory,” Navone stated. The World No. 190 is aiming for his fourth ATP Challenger Tour title of the year, having previously triumphed in Santa Cruz, Bolivia Santa Fe, Argentina and Poznan, Poland.
Top seed Coria prevails
Later in the day, Coria defeated his compatriot and third favourite Facundo Diaz Acosta 6-4, 6-4. The top seed of the ATP Challenger Tour 100 clay-court tournament won 74 per cent of his first-service points and broke his opponent five times to advance in one hour and 20 minutes.
🏆 @fedeecoria es el segundo finalista del #ChallengerBA
🎾 Derrotó 6-4 y 6-4 a Facundo Díaz Acosta y buscará el trofeo este domingo frente a @marianonavone1 pic.twitter.com/wb3FBXrKMA
— Challenger de Buenos Aires (@ChallengerBA) October 14, 2023
“It’s very special to be in the final of the most important Challenger tournament we have in the country. If I win tomorrow, it will be the most significant title of my career,” Coria said.
The World No. 83 is now vying for his third ATP Challenger title of the season, having previously won in Szczecin, Poland and Concepcion, Chile. The head-to-head record of Navone and Coria is tied at 1-1.
Hidalgo/Rodriguez triumph in doubles
In other action, Diego Hidalgo of Ecuador and Cristian Rodriguez of Colombia clinched the doubles title. The No. 3 seeds beat the all-Brazilian combination of Fernando Romboli and Marcelo Zorman 6-3, 6-2. The final lasted one hour and 13 minutes.
The pair split $7,590 in prize money and earned 100 ATP Doubles Ranking points.
📷 La foto del día, presentada por @visitargentina
🏆 Los campeones de dobles del #ChallengerBA: el ecuatoriano Diego Hidalgo 🇪🇨 y el colombiano Cristian Rodríguez 🇨🇴 pic.twitter.com/0tl9irVIi5
— Challenger de Buenos Aires (@ChallengerBA) October 14, 2023
