SANTOS/STARNBERG, May 10, 2025
Uruguay’s Franco Roncadelli achieved a major career milestone at the Santos Brasil Tennis Cup, reaching his first ATP Challenger semifinal with a convincing 6-4, 6-2 win over Argentina’s Gonzalo Villanueva on Friday.
The 25-year-old lefty from Montevideo, currently ranked World No. 367, is Uruguay’s top-ranked player – standing nearly 600 spots above the country’s second-highest male player. With just five Uruguayans appearing in the ATP Rankings, Roncadelli’s breakthrough result was celebrated as a major personal and national achievement.
“I’m very happy. I played a great match, and I’m not thinking too far ahead yet. But I’m pleased with the level I’ve shown this week—improving with each match—and I’m definitely going to enjoy this moment,” Roncadelli said following the victory.
Since the retirement of Pablo Cuevas, Uruguay has lacked a top-100 player. Roncadelli is now emerging as the country’s next potential tennis figure, though the path remains challenging.
“We don’t have the same economic support as Brazil or Argentina, and there are very few development projects, which makes it hard for new players to come through. There’s also a lack of training partners back home, which is why I train in Argentina. Still, I believe things are slowly changing, and I hope more players from Uruguay will emerge,” he explained.
In the semifinal, Roncadelli will face top seed Alvaro Guillen Meza of Ecuador, who secured his place in the final four with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Argentina’s Renzo Olivo.
Sealed in style ✨
Alvaro Guillen Meza overcomes Olivo 6-3, 6-3 to book his spot in the Santos Brasil Tennis Cup semifinals#ATPChallenger | @alvaroguillen03 pic.twitter.com/L4E0tP0jcs
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) May 9, 2025
Pucinelli continues fine run of form
In other action, Matheus Pucinelli continues his strong run on home soil with a dominant 6-2, 6-3 win over Argentina’s Lautaro Midon.
This marks the second consecutive ATP Challenger 50 semifinal appearance for the Brazilian, who also made the final four last week in Porto Alegre. Now, Pucinelli hopes to reach his first final of the season.
“I started a bit more disconnected than in my previous matches, but he didn’t take advantage of it, and I did my job,” Pucinelli said after the match. “It’s so special to play in Brazil—besides the home crowd, my whole family is here: my grandparents, my parents, my girlfriend. Everyone can come and watch. About Kicker—he’s an experienced player, we’ve faced each other a few times, and I hope to finally reach the final this week.”
Pucinelli will face Argentine veteran Nicolas Kicker in the second singles semifinal on Saturday. Kicker advanced with a solid 6–4, 7–6(0) win over former World No. 62 Gianluca Mager of Italy in a clash of former Top 100 players. Kicker, previously ranked as high as No. 78, has now reached the semifinals in a Challenger event for the second time this year after coming through the qualifying draw—his first being in Concepcion, where he finished as runner-up.
