Near Triumph for Navone in Golden Set Battle at Montevideo Challenger
Third seed Nava caught off guard, falling just short of a historic moment for American Challengers
November 12, 2025
Photo Credits: Mike Lawrence/ATP Challenger Tour
Mariano Navone is in pursuit of his second ATP Challenger Tour title within three weeks.
By ATP Staff
Mariano Navone dazzled with an almost flawless second set as he advanced to the quarter-finals of the Uruguay Open on Wednesday.
The 24-year-old talent, eyeing a second ATP Challenger Tour title in three weeks, came from behind to overcome former World No. 16 Marco Cecchinato with a scoreline of 3-6, 6-0, 6-4, defying the upset trend in Montevideo. After losing the first set, Navone surged back, dropping only two points in the entire second set (23/25), coming tantalizingly close to a golden set.
Navone seized control by winning the first 20 points of the second set to race ahead 5-0 before Cecchinato ended his quest for perfection. Ranked World No. 72 in the PIF ATP Rankings, Navone initially fell behind in the final set but powered through with four consecutive games from a 2-4 deficit.
QFs called, @marianonavone1 answered ☎️
The Argentine rallies from a set down to defeat Cecchinato 3-6, 6-0, 6-4 and secure his berth in the last eight in the Uruguayan capital!#ATPChallenger | @uruguayopen pic.twitter.com/s8569sJDoo
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) November 13, 2025
The clay-court tournament has seen its share of surprises, including top seed Sebastian Baez and defending champion Tristan Boyer bowing out in the first round. On Wednesday, American Emilio Nava was unexpectedly defeated by Brazil’s Gustavo Heide.
Nava aimed for his 45th Challenger-match victory of the year, which would have set a new single-season record among Americans, but Heide thwarted those ambitions with a hard-fought 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 victory after a grueling two hours and 42 minutes.
Did You Know?
In 2023, Navone clinched a remarkable five Challenger titles, and the following season he achieved the distinction of being the first player in the Open Era to be seeded in his inaugural major main draw.
