BUENOS AIRES/STARNBERG, September 28, 2026
The YPF Buenos Aires Challenger has a new Argentine champion as Alex Barrena defeated fellow countryman Facundo Mena 6-4, 6-0 in the final at the Racket Club.
The 23-year-old Barrena, ranked world No. 240, made a fast start, opening up a two-break advantage and setting the tone for the final. Mena fought his way back into the contest and came within a point of levelling the opening set at 4-4, but Barrena regained control and won the final seven games of the match to seal the title.
The victory also allowed Barrena to avenge his defeat to Roman Burruchaga in last year’s final at the Racket Club. This time, the Buenos Aires native went all the way to lift the trophy in front of his home crowd.
An emotional moment came at 6-4, 4-0, when Mena broke down in tears as he remembered his father, Gabriel, who had worked as a teacher at the institution and passed away five years ago. After the match, Barrena delayed his celebrations to applaud the runner-up, creating a particularly moving moment between the two finalists.
Alex Barrena 🤗🤗🤗 @menafacundo
¡Gracias por esta gran final y felicitaciones por la semana! ❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/Kk2AbmJUvY
— Buenos Aires Challenger (@ChallengerBA) September 27, 2026
“It is an incredible emotion. This year it went my way. I am more mature and stable. Last year’s defeat affected me in the months that followed,” Barrena said during his post-match press conference. “Winning in Buenos Aires was literally my goal. This is my home. I feel more and more confident.”
The title will move Barrena back to No. 220 in the ATP rankings. It is his third Challenger title, following his victories at the Challenger 50 events in Santa Cruz de la Sierra and San Miguel de Tucuman.
The Buenos Aires triumph is also the most significant of his three Challenger titles in terms of ranking points awarded.
