Round 2: Seeds Tested as Upsets Shake the Draw

Day two of main-draw action at the SACC Costa Rica Open 2025 saw the top seeds enter the fray, raising the level of intensity as the Round of 16 unfolded at Santa Ana Country Club.

One of the day’s standout performances came from Malaysia’s Nathan Kueh, who delivered the tournament’s first major upset by defeating No.5 seed Mohamed Nasser (EGY) in four games, 11–7, 11–3, 9–11, 11–4. Kueh’s exceptional speed and crisp attacking lines proved decisive, earning him a well-deserved place in the quarter-finals.

Another upset soon followed when Paraguay’s Francesco Marcantonio outlasted No.3 seed Jeremías Azaña (ARG) in a fierce 68-minute battle. Marcantonio’s resilience carried him to a 3–2 victory (7–11, 11–6, 11–9, 10–12, 11–5), while Azaña, despite strong Coach’s guidance from his corner, struggled to maintain control as the match reached its climax.

In the women’s draw, the two SACC debutants — Margot Prow (BAR) [5] and Lowri Roberts (WAL) [6] — impressed with commanding 3–0 wins over Central American competitors Tabita Gaitán (GUA) and Camila Viveros (MEX), respectively. The top seeds followed suit, as returning contenders Marie Stephan (FRA) [1] , Habiba Hani (EGY) [2], Alina Bushma (UKR) [4], and Amina El Rihany (EGY) [3]  all advanced with confident straight-games victories, reinforcing their intentions to challenge for the title once again this year.

A thrilling day of surprises and statement wins leaves the SACC Costa Rica Open perfectly poised for an action-packed quarter-final round.