KIGALI/STARNBERG, March 13, 2026
The second week of the 2026 Rwanda Challenger has reached its decisive stage, with the tournament’s top two seeds leading the semi-final line-up. As the competition intensifies in Kigali, the leading contenders have lived up to their billing, navigating a strong field to move within one step of the title and setting the stage for an exciting finish to the back-to-back clay-court events.
Top seed and 2024 Rwanda Challenger champion Marco Trungelliti fought more than three hours to outlast Max Houkes from the Netherlands 6-7(6), 7-6(5), 6-3 on Friday. The 36-year-old Argentine withstood 11 aces and broke his rival’s serve four times to secure victory in three hours and 33 minutes.
Trungelliti will next take on fifth-seeded Czech Zdenek Kolar, who beat Filip Cristian Jianu of Romania 7-6(8), 7-6(1) in just under two hours of play.
In the bottom half of the draw, Arthur Gea defeated Stefano Napolitano of Italy 6-3, 6-4. The No. 2 seed of the ATP Challenger Tour 100 tournament won 73 per cent of his first-service points and converted three of his four break-point chances to advance in one hour and 42 minutes.
Drop Shot Lob Volley Winner
A superb point played by Arthur Gea #ATPChallenger | @tennis_rwanda pic.twitter.com/0OkiXTU85K
— ATP Challenger (@ATPChallenger) March 13, 2026
The 21-year-old Frenchman will oppose eighth-seeded Italian Marco Cecchinato, who edged out Slovakian veteran Andrej Martin 7-6(7), 6-3. The encounter lasted one hour and 23 minutes.
