SEVILLA, September 5, 2025
A heatwave has settled over Andalucia, and fittingly, the LXII Copa Sevilla is entering its hottest stage. The prestigious ATP Challenger Tour 125 clay-court event at the Real Club de Tenis Betis has its finalists: rising Peruvian star Ignacio Buse and Argentina’s Genaro Alberto Olivieri, both battling through the sweltering conditions to book their place in Saturday’s championship match.
On a sunny day in Sevilla with temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius, Buse fought past Daniel Merida of Spain 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-3 in two hours and 45 minutes. The 21-year-old Lima native, who had already knocked off three home favourites en route to the stage of the final four, converted five of his 16 break-point chances and won 53 per cent of the total points played to reach his second ATP Challenger Tour final of the season after lifting his maiden trophy at the Neckarcup in Bad Rappenau, Germany in early June.
Buse the fighter
The Peruvian battles back to defeat Merida 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-3 and reach the final in Seville!#ATPChallenger | @CopaSevillaCh pic.twitter.com/ezg6WviJ7j
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) September 5, 2025
“I am very happy, as it was a very complicated match. Daniel showed an excellent level of play. The first set was very long and physically demanding. It was hot but we played mostly in the shade. The atmosphere here is amazing and I am looking forward to tomorrow,” Buse said.
Later in the evening and under the lights on Center Court, Olivieri benefited from the retirement of No. 3 seed Dusan Laovic. The 27-year-old Bragado native was leading 7-5, 3-2 when the Serbian veteran was forced to stop playing.
Olivieri is bidding for his third Challenger career crown, his first of the season. Buse and Olivieri will meet for the first time.
