SAN MARINO/STARNBERG, July 31, 2026
The semifinal lineup at the Internazionali di Tennis San Marino Open has begun to take shape, with top seed Facundo Diaz Acosta joined by qualifiers Juan Pablo Varillas and Mili Poljicak in the final four of the ATP Challenger 125 event.
Diaz Acosta continued his impressive campaign on the clay courts of the Centro Cassa di Risparmio di Fonte dell’Ovo by overcoming Bolivia’s Juan Carlos Prado Angelo 6-2, 4-6, 6-1 in two hours and 23 minutes.
The Argentine, currently ranked World No. 107, dominated the opening set before Prado Angelo, the 2023 Roland Garros boys’ finalist, raised his level to force a decider. However, Diaz Acosta quickly regained control in the third set, showcasing the form that has already earned him four ATP Challenger titles this season—in Tigre, Sao Leopoldo, Francavilla al Mare and Milan—to book his place in the semifinals.
Consistency is key 🔑
Facundo Diaz Acosta advances to his seventh ATP Challenger semifinal of the season#ATPChallenger | @Facudiazacosta pic.twitter.com/jywaypU8PB
— ATP Challenger (@ATPChallenger) July 31, 2026
The bottom half of the draw will feature an all-qualifier semifinal between Peru’s Juan Pablo Varillas and Croatia’s Mili Poljicak.
Former World No. 60 Varillas continued his remarkable run from qualifying by defeating Kazakhstan’s Timofey Skatov 6-4, 6-4. The 30-year-old Peruvian, who had already eliminated Italians Jacopo Vasami and eighth seed Francesco Maestrelli earlier in the week, produced another composed performance. After taking the opening set, he recovered from seeing a 4-1 lead disappear in the second before winning the final two games to seal victory after two hours and five minutes.
Poljicak also advanced after a dramatic three-set battle against fifth seed and 2024 champion Alexandre Muller. The 22-year-old Croatian prevailed 7-6(3), 6-7(4), 7-5 after nearly three hours of play, ending Muller’s title defense. The former Wimbledon boys’ singles champion captured his maiden Challenger title earlier this season in Split and will now look to reach another final.
Diaz Acosta will face third seed Vilius Gaubas of Lithuania, who edged past Brazilian qualifier Thiago Monteiro 7-6(7), 7-6(5).
