Thursday, November 23rd, 2023.- In a second-round match on the Court Central del Centro Deportivo de Tenis, local player Alexander Cataldo defeated American Casey Ratzlaff on Thursday with a score of 7-5 and 6-1, securing a spot in the male's singles final. 

Under scorching sun, in the hottest day so far of the Parapan American Games, Alexander Cataldo emerged victorious after an hour and 18 minutes of play. 

Cataldo's opponent in the final will be the Argentine Gustavo Fernández, who defeated Brazilian Daniel Rodrigues 6-2 and 6-1. 

The Argentine is the clear favorite to win the final, being the top seed of the tournament. 

The 29-year-old from Córdoba is the shining star of wheelchair tennis at Santiago 2023, having already claimed gold in doubles at the Parapan American Games in Toronto 2015 and Lima 2019. In singles, he was the best in Guadalajara 2011 and in the two subsequent editions. 

Gustavo Fernández is currently ranked third in the world and reached the number one spot in July 2017. 
He has won five Grand Slam singles titles: Roland Garros 2016 and 2019, Australian Open 2017 and 2019, and Wimbledon 2019. In doubles, he has claimed the crowns of Wimbledon 2015, partnering with Frenchman Nicolas Peifer, and Roland Garros 2019 and Wimbledon 2022, alongside Japanese player Shingo Kunieda. 

Written by Marcelo González; translated by Paulette Bertín / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport 
Ph: Felipe Zanca / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport