Guillen Meza masters marathon day to win Challenger title

Challenger

Guillen Meza masters marathon day to win Challenger title

Maestrelli, Misolic among winners

João Pires Alvaro Guillen Meza is crowned champion at the Santos Challenger. By ATP Staff

Alvaro Guillen Meza battled through adversity to capture his third ATP Challenger Tour title on Sunday at the Santos Brasil Tennis Cup.

Rain forced the Ecuadorian to play both his semi-final and final matches on the same day, which included a move to indoor clay courts. Undeterred, Guillen Meza held firm to defeat Brazilian Matheus Pucinelli De Almeida 6-3, 7-6(12) in the championship match.

Having saved six set points in the second set, Guillen Meza avenged last week’s loss to Pucinelli De Almeida at the Porto Alegre Challenger.

Following his title run, the 22-year-old is up to No. 175 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, setting him up for a new career high.

In other Challenger action, Francesco Maestrelli and Sun Fajing lifted trophies on home soil.

Maestrelli, a wild card at the Abruzzo Open Francavilla Al Mare, saved two match points in the quarter-finals against Dominic Stricker before the Swiss retired due to injury. The 22-year-old Maestrelli rode that comeback momentum to the finish line, defeating Valentin Vacherot 6-4, 6-4 in the final to secure his second Challenger title and first since July 2022.

Francesco Maestrelli wins his second Challenger title. Credit: Internazionali di Tennis Francavilla al Mare

The 28-year-old Sun was crowned champion at the Wuxi Open, where he became the second consecutive Chinese player to win the event. Buyunchaokete won the tournament last year.

Sun is set to crack the Top 200 of the PIF ATP Rankings for the first time.

Sun Fajing greets fans at the Wuxi Challenger. Credit: Wuxi Open

Filip Misolic capped a dominant run at the Advantage Cars Prague Open to capture his third Challenger title. The Austrian, who raced past Dutchman Guy Den Ouden 6-4, 6-0 in the final, did not drop a set all week.

Filip Misolic wins the Prague Challenger. Credit: Martin Sidorjak

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