Buenos Aires, January 15 (NA) -- As the only Argentine victory of the day, Andrea Collarini (240th) is the sole local representative in the semifinals of the Challenger 50 in Buenos Aires, held at the Argentine Tennis Club. According to the Argentine News Agency, Collarini defeated the Brazilian Pedro Boscardin Dias (275th) 6-4, 6-2. Additionally, there were two national defeats: Lautaro Midon (234th) fell 3-6, 6-4, 3-6 to the experienced Peruvian Juan Pablo Varillas (253rd), and Manuel La Serna (433rd) could not overcome the Italian Francisco Agamenone (335th).
In pursuit of what could be his fifth Challenger-level title, and the third consecutive in the country, Andrea Collarini is the only albiceleste representative in the semifinals of the Buenos Aires Challenger. The "Puma" defeated the Brazilian Pedro Boscardin Dias in straight sets, known for his ability to stay in matches and return effectively, with a single break in the first set and two service breaks in the second. Furthermore, Collarini gave up break points throughout the match and needed only one match point to close the game with a winning serve and reach the semifinals, where he will face Varillas.
It was Varillas himself who eliminated Lautaro Midon, the second seed and the highest-ranked player still in contention, with a victory in three sets. The Peruvian took the first set 6-3, while the Corrientes player managed to bounce back in the next, winning it 6-4. Nevertheless, in the decisive set and after three wasted match points, Varillas was able to capitalize on the two break points he had secured and secured an important victory to reach the semifinals in his attempt to return to the top 200.
Following a great victory over Santiago Rodríguez Taverna, the tournament's top seed, Argentine Manuel La Serna could not maintain his performance and lost to Agamenone 6-7 (5/7), 3-6. Despite starting with two breaks on his rival's first three serves, the first set went awry for La Serna, who also suffered two breaks and lost three service points in the tie-break, which went in favor of the Italian. In the second set, the Tucuman player conceded another two breaks and ultimately lost after overcoming a match point against him.
Agamenone will face the Bolivian Murkel Dellien (251st) in the other semifinal, who defeated the Spaniard Nikolas Sánchez Izquierdo (305th) in three sets and is seeking his fifth career Challenger final, having won only one, at the Brasov 2024 tournament in Romania.
