GUAYAQUIL/STARNBERG, November 22, 2025
The Challenger Ciudad de Guayaquil Copa Banco Guayaquil will feature an-all South American semifinal lineup, thanks to Friday’s victories by Ecuador’s Alvaro Guillen, Paraguay’s Daniel Vallejo, Argentina’s Federico Gomez, and Peru’s Juan Pablo Varillas.
Continuing his outstanding end-of-season run, World No. 197 Guillen delivered a dominant performance against Argentina’s Facundo Mena, winning 6-1, 6-4 to reach the Guayaquil semifinal for the first time in his career.
“I think today was the day I felt the best,” Guillen said afterward. “The previous matches went well, but today I felt more relaxed, better in every way, and I was able to play great tennis—you could see it.”
He will face Daniel Vallejo for a spot in the final, after the World No. 163 defeated Argentina’s Luciano Ambrogi 6-2, 6-4.
“Dani and I played last week and he beat me in a very tough match, 6-4 in the third,” Guillen added. “Every time we play, it’s a battle. I think it will be a beautiful match. Hopefully it goes my way. I’ll give my best.”
Vallejo, a former Junior World No. 1, also has not lost a set this week and hopes to repeat last week’s win over Guillen in Montevideo.
“Alvaro and I have known each other for years. We played last week and I won, so I’ll try to repeat that,” Vallejo said. “Today was a tough match—the conditions are difficult, very humid and hot. But I’m happy to be in the semifinals and happy with my level.”
For Ecuador’s Andres Andrade, the night could not end as he hoped. After pushing defending champion Federico Gomez to a deciding set, he fell 6-3, 2-6, 6-4. The World No. 269 will now face Juan Pablo Varillas, who outlasted third seed Hady Habib of Lebanon 7-5, 3-6, 6-3.
#Highlights Repasamos el cierre de los Cuartos de Final del #ChallengerdeGuayaquil Copa @BancoGuayaquil auspiciado por @alcaldiagye pic.twitter.com/NByAoMYREN
— Challenger de Guayaquil (@challengye05) November 22, 2025
