Argentine Tennis Players Shine in AAT Challenger Tigre I

Several Argentine players demonstrated strong performances in the first round of the AAT Challenger edition Tiger I, held on the clay courts of the Hacoaj Yacht Club, securing their spots in the round of 16. Competition continues Thursday starting at 10:00.

Díaz Acosta and La Serna Lead the Charge

Facundo Díaz Acosta (ranked 284°) overcame a tough challenge from Uruguay’s Joaquín Aguilar Cardozo (ranked 390°), winning 5-7, 7-6(5), and 6-3 after a match lasting over three hours.

For a place in the quarterfinals, Diaz Acosta, champion of Argentina Open in 2024, will face this Wednesday Guido Justo (345°).

Juan Manuel La Serna (ranked 360°) also battled to victory, defeating Brazil’s Nicolas Zanellato (ranked 907th) with a score of 6-2, 6-7(5), and 6-4, after three hours and ten minutes of play.

The man from Catamarca, at the end of the match and visibly affected by the high temperatures he had to endure, expressed: A lot of heat, the conditions are quite difficult, the ball doesn’t arrive out much and with the heat it gets incredibly complicated. It was a tough match, but it is those battles that also craft us enjoy this sport. I was able to always stay mentally on top of the match. In the second set I fell a little physically, it was noticeable and he passed me over. The third set was also difficult for me, I was tired physically, but I I kept my head very well and that made me win the game.”

La Serna will next face Ecuador’s Alvaro Guillén Meza (ranked 202nd), who is coached by Carlos Berlocq.

Other Argentine Successes

Andrea Collarini (ranked 233rd), a finalist in the AAT Challenger TCA this season, won his opening match against compatriot Lucio Ratti (ranked 556°) with a score of 7-6(4) and 6-4. He will face another Argentine, Juan Bautista Torres (ranked 356°), for a place in the quarterfinals.

Gonzalo Villanueva (ranked 352nd) also advanced, defeating Brazil’s Joao Eduardo Schiessl (ranked 496°) 6-3 and 6-4. He will compete against Nicholas Kicker (ranked 268°).

Maximum Zeitune (ranked 802nd) was eliminated after losing to Uruguay’s Franco Roncadelli (ranked 338°) 6-4 and 6-1. Santiago Rodríguez Taverna (ranked 231°) also did not advance, falling to Romania’s Stefan Palosi (ranked 449°) 6-4, 3-6, and 6-4.

Upcoming Matches

Thursday’s Schedule

• Gonzalo Villanueva (ARG) vs [8] Nicolas Kicker (ARG)
• [WC] Carlos Maria Zarate (ARG) vs [5] Lautaro Midon (ARG)
• Guido Ivan Justo (ARG) vs Facundo Diaz Acosta (ARG) or [Q] Joaquin Aguilar Cardozo (URU)
• Juan Estevez (ARG) / Lucio Ratti (ARG) vs Guido Ivan Justo (ARG) / Franco Roncadelli (URU)

Court 2

• [Q] Bruno Fernandez (BRA) vs [3] Genaro Alberto Olivieri (ARG)
• [6] Andrea Collarini (ARG) vs Juan Bautista Torres (ARG)

Later Matches

• [1] Alvaro Guillen Meza (ECU) vs. Juan Manuel La Serna (ARG)
• Gianluca Cadenasso (ITA) / Carlos Sanchez Jover (ESP) vs [2] Santiago Rodriguez Taverna (ARG) / Gonzalo Villanueva (ARG)

Court 3

• Franco Roncadelli (URU) vs [2] Gonzalo Bueno (PER)
• [Q] Stefan Palosi (ROU) vs Carlos Sanchez Jover (ESP)

• [3] Mariano Kestelboim (ARG) / Juan Carlos Prado Angelo (BOL) vs Tomas Farjat (ARG) / Conner Huertas del Pino (PER)
• [Alt] Bruno Fernandez (BRA) / Joao Eduardo Schiessl (BRA) x Daniel Dutra da Silva (BRA) / Jose Pereira (BRA)

The AAT Challenger Tigre I is showcasing the talent of Argentine tennis, with several players advancing and promising exciting matches ahead.