The Italian Lorenzo Giustino (142nd in the ATP ranking) put end to Carlos Alcaraz's streak in challenger tournaments, by eliminating the 17-year-old from Murcia in the Marbella 3-6, 7-5 and 6-4.
Alcaraz, who played his last tournament this year, came from linking the titles of the challenger Sánchez-Casal and that of Alicante, which added to the triumph he achieved in August in Trieste (Italy) made him the second player in history with the most titles in the category at his age. Only surpassed by Richard Gasquet (16 years and 10 months).
The hopeful tennis player trained by Juan Carlos Ferrero started the 138th week in the world, which makes him the best U-18 in the ranking. A place in the top 128 would assure him to enter the Australian Open draw in January, something he has close to counting on casualties.
Another player from the Equelite de Villena Academy, Carlos Gimeno (19 years old), was the face of the day at AnyTech365 in Marbella, defeating Fede Coria (89th) by 6-4 and 6-1. The Valencian was uncovered last year with the junior final at Wimbledon.
Jaume Munar beat Bonadio by 7-6 (3), 5-7 and 6-3 and Carlos Taberner beat Ramanathan by 3-6, 7-5 and 7-6 (4).