TIGRE/STARNBERG, March 2, 2026

Facundo Diaz Acosta was crowned champion of the AAT Challenger IEB+ Tigre II after defeating Spain’s Miguel Damas 1-6, 6-3, 6-0 in the final. The victory marked the sixth ATP Challenger Tour title of his career and his first at home on Argentine soil, following his ATP 250 Argentina Open triumph in 2024.

In the span of just one week, Diaz Acosta went from a round-of-16 exit at Tigre I — and even considering withdrawing from Tigre II — to lifting the trophy. He later admitted he ultimately chose to compete because “it was in Argentina.” The decision paid off handsomely: the title restored his confidence, propelled him 40 spots up the live ATP Rankings to No. 238, and secured him a Special Exempt entry into the Challenger 75 in Brasilia, where he will open against Spain’s Nicolaz Sanchez Izquierdo.

Nothing beats a home triumph @Facudiazacosta rules Tigre with a 1-6, 6-3, 6-0 comeback over Damas#ATPChallenger | @AATenis pic.twitter.com/quyrzBz1Ug

— ATP Challenger (@ATPChallenger) March 1, 2026

The Buenos Aires native revealed that the decision to play was not straightforward. “A lot of things went through my head — that I wanted to play, that I didn’t, yes, no. I had a couple of little talks with my pillow and decided to play because the reality was that I was here in Argentina, and it was a tournament to compete in regardless of how I had been playing. Maybe that took a bit of pressure off me, just going out to play each match without focusing too much on the result. As I started playing, I played the first match very well and began finding good sensations, and I tried to stick with that. Maybe that’s what allowed me to play the way I did this week.”

Reflecting on his first Challenger title in Argentina — the 446th Challenger crown for Argentine tennis — and after having lost the 2022 final at the same venue, Club Nautico Hacoaj, the left-hander emphasized the emotional significance of the win.

“I think it’s very important because of the context more than anything. I was coming off two years without winning a tournament, with a lot happening in between — injuries, a lot of time off the court. Maybe in terms of numbers it’s not the biggest title, but I consider it very important for that reason. I hadn’t won in a long time, and I think this can be a nice boost for the rest of the year.”

Looking back on the period since his last title, Diaz Acosta added: “Since my last title, a lot of things have happened. I’ve had good and bad moments, and it hasn’t always been easy. But tennis gives you that — by continuing to compete, you always get another opportunity.”

His path to the title included victories over Brazil’s Joao Eduardo Schiessl in the opening round, Spain’s Nikolas Sanchez Izquierdo in the second round, compatriot Juan Bautista Torres in the quarterfinals, Ecuador’s Alvaro Guillen Meza in the semifinals, and finally Damas in the championship match.

Over the course of his career, Diaz Acosta has now claimed Challenger titles in Coquimbo (2022); Savannah, Oeiras, Milan, and Montevideo (2023); and Tigre II (2026). He was also a finalist in Tigre and Coquimbo (2022), Heilbronn (2023), and Antofagasta (2025).

With this latest triumph, he has completed a full set of titles across all tournament categories held in Argentina: an M25 crown in Hurlingham (2020), the ATP 250 Buenos Aires title (2024), and now the AAT Challenger IEB+ Tigre II (2026). He is also a former Youth Olympic medalist, having reached the podium at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games.

Jugar en casa se le da bien a @Facudiazacosta

Challenger Tigre 2026
ATP Buenos Aires 2024
ITF M25 Hurlingham 2020
Juegos Olímpicos de la Juventud Buenos Aires 2018

Con el título del AAT Challenger IEB+ edición Tigre II, Díaz Acosta completó su vitrina de… pic.twitter.com/Xdfg5IbuOy

— Asociación Argentina de Tenis (@AATenis) March 1, 2026

With the conclusion of the AAT Challenger IEB+ Tigre I and Tigre II events, Argentine players celebrated a clean sweep in singles: Guido Justo captured the first edition, and Diaz Acosta the second. In doubles, local success continued both weeks, with Mariano Kestelboim lifting the trophy alongside Bolivia’s Juan Carlos Prado in Tigre I and Uruguay’s Ignacio Carou in Tigre II.