Challenger Events
Copa Mexico Temazcal: Avila Claims Glory on Home Soil
Top seed Alfredo Avila secured his third Tour title of 2023, beating Colombia’s Ronald Palomino in the Copa Mexico Temazcal final.
Avila had not lost a game en route to the final, winning all three of his matches inside 35 minutes, but dropped the first game of this one 11-7.
That was, however, as good as things got for Palomino.
Avila raced through the second – taking it 11-3 – and controlled the next two games to win them both 11-5 and claim the trophy.
The victory represents a 20th Tour title for the Mexican, and follows success in Mexico City and Canada earlier this year.
Since the start of 2022 alone, Avila has reached 13 Challenger Tour finals, winning eight.
For Palomino, a runner-up finish is a more than respectable return to action. The Colombian had not played on the PSA Tour since November last year after suffering an achilles injury.
His current ranking has him outside the world’s top 200, but after a good run in Morelos the 25-year-old will be eyeing a climb up the ladder, and perhaps a return to the top 100.
Result: Men’s Final
[1] Alfredo Avila (MEX) bt [2] Ronald Palomino (COL) 3-1: 7-11, 11-3, 11-5, 11-5 (47m)
