Paraguayan Catalina Delmás wins biggest junior career title in Cali

Seventeen-year-old Paraguayan tennis player Catalina Delmás Schaerer has achieved the most significant title of her junior career, winning the J100 Copa Valle 2026 in Cali, Colombia. As the top seed in the tournament, Delmás confirmed her favorite status by securing her first J100 trophy on the International Tennis Federation (ITF) world circuit.

This victory marks Delmás Schaerer's second ITF title, following her win at the J30 Luque in 2024. The triumph significantly boosted her standing in the ITF Juniors Live Ranking, where she climbed 24 positions to reach a career-best world No. 135. Her performance in Cali was exceptional, not only in singles but also in doubles, where she partnered with South Korea's Sera Park. The pair reached the final but narrowly lost to a Canadian duo with a score of 5-7, 6-2, and 8-10 in the super tiebreak.

In the singles competition, Delmás showcased a dominant performance throughout the week. She began with a convincing 6-2, 6-2 win in her debut match. She advanced to the round of 16 with a 6-1, 6-3 victory and faced her toughest challenge in the quarterfinals against Bolivia's María Isabel Suárez, whom she defeated 6-0, 6-7 (4), and 6-1. In the semifinals, she avenged a recent loss by defeating American Ciara Harding 6-2, 6-4, earning her spot in the final.

The final match saw Delmás demonstrate remarkable resilience against Colombia's Emanuela Lares. After dropping the first set 4-6, she mounted a strong comeback, winning the next two sets 6-3 and 6-4 to clinch the J100 Cali championship. This achievement is a crucial step in the young Paraguayan's international development, solidifying her status as a promising talent in national tennis and adding a valuable title to her junior circuit record.

Meanwhile, Paraguayan tennis also saw success in the J60 Mburucuyá Bowl 2026 held in Lambaré, Paraguay. Julieta Marcos Cattoni and Zoe Doldán reached the doubles final, marking a notable performance. Doldán also had a strong showing in singles, reaching the final where she was defeated by Mia Brayotta 6-3, 6-3.