VILLA MARIA/STARNBERG, September 20, 2025

Four players punched their tickets to the semifinals of the AAT Challenger Santander Edicion Villa Maria at the Sport Social Club on Friday. Alex Barrena and Federico Gomez will square off in an all-Argentine clash, while Bolivia’s Murkel Dellien will take on top seed Emilio Nava of the United States.

Barrena, a 22-year-old from Buenos Aires, produced a near-flawless performance on Centre Court, dismantling Mariano Kestelboim 6–0, 6–1 in just 57 minutes. The 2024 Tucuman Challenger champion is set to break into the Top 200 next week, capping off a surge that began with that breakthrough title in northern Argentina.

Across the net on Saturday will be Federico Gomez, who overcame Facundo Bagnis 6–2, 7–6(2). “We get along really well, he’s a friend,” Gomez, nicknamed El Bombardero by fans for his powerful hitting, said about facing Barrena. “I’m very happy with the moment he’s having, his US Open debut… he deserves it. It’s going to be a tough match. I hope to be in good shape physically and mentally to put on a good show.”

Gomez thrilled the crowd by starting the second-set tiebreak with a surprise dropshot winner. “My CPU froze and I went for the drop,” he laughed. “It’s something we’ve been working on for a while with my team. Sometimes you don’t dare to try it in tight situations, but I’m trying to make it automatic.”

Keeps on Stacking Ws

Emilio Nava’s 2025 surge shows no signs of slowing as he battles past Prado Angelo 7-6(9), 6-4 to reach the semis in Villa Maria! #ATPChallenger | @AATenis | @usta pic.twitter.com/ooiX5CJAYx

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) September 19, 2025

Friday Results

Singles – Quarterfinals

[1] Emilio Nava (USA) d Juan Carlos Prado Angelo (BOL) 76(9) 64
[7] Alex Barrena (ARG) d [Alt] Mariano Kestelboim (ARG) 60 61
[4] Federico Agustin Gomez (ARG) d [Q] Facundo Bagnis (ARG) 62 76(2)
Murkel Dellien (BOL) d [3] Francesco Maestrelli (ITA) 63 06 61