VILLENA/STARNBERG, October 9, 2026
The Ferrero & Forty Challenger got the October holiday weekend off to a spectacular start as the first Open Day of Spain’s most important hard-court tournament attracted a great atmosphere and plenty of fans.
With free admission and activities for the public, the ATP Challenger‘s grounds were filled with social tournaments, games and activities at the commercial stands, alongside DJ music and food trucks. On court, the action was just as entertaining, with the players battling for a place in the semifinals of an event offering more than €160,000 in prize money and 100 ATP Ranking points to the champion.
Jack Pinnington Jones continued his outstanding run, reaching the semifinals without dropping a set. The Briton defeated sixth-seeded Croatian Borna Gojo 6-2, 7-5 on Friday will face Estonia’s Daniil Glinka, who came through a thrilling three-set battle against Jordan’s Abdallah Shelbayh, winning 7-6(2), 4-6, 6-3.
JPJ making memories 🎁👕
Pinnington Jones hands out gifts after securing a SF spot 6-2, 7-5 🆚 [6] Gojo
#ATPChallenger | @Ferreroacademy | @the_LTA https://t.co/clr5gSVLZM
— ATP Challenger (@ATPChallenger) October 9, 2026
In the bottom half of the draw, Laslo Djere is also producing an impressive tournament. The experienced Serbian, a former world No. 27, has yet to lose a set and has comfortably overcome a succession of younger opponents. Djere beat Czech lucky loser Hynek Barton 6,3, 7-5. He will face the winner of the all-Spanish quarterfinal that brought Friday’s action to a close.
Pedro Martinez Portero advanced after Pablo Llamas Ruiz was forced to retire due to physical problems midway through the second set. The Valencia native had been producing high-quality tennis and is looking determined to return to the upper reaches of the ATP Rankings.
Following his recent appearance for Spain in the Davis Cup, Martinez is now the country’s last player standing in the tournament. He will be hoping to make another deep run in the event and potentially return to the final, as he did in 2019.
