Ronald Palomino Reaches 2026 Guatemala Open Final
June 21 2026
UNSQUASHABLE player Ronald Palomino produced a series of determined performances to reach the final of the 2026 PSA Guatemala Squash Open, narrowly missing out on the title after an impressive week of competition at the Asociación Deportiva Nacional de Squash de Guatemala in Guatemala City.
Top seed for the tournament, the Colombian demonstrated resilience, fighting spirit and tactical maturity throughout his campaign, overcoming several stern challenges on his way to the championship match.
After receiving a first-round bye, Ronald began his title challenge against fellow Colombian Edgar Ramírez Bautista. The top seed controlled much of the encounter with disciplined length and accurate shot placement, claiming an 11-6 11-9 10-12 11-8 victory to advance to the quarter-finals.
A much tougher test awaited in the last eight against Guatemala’s Josue Enriquez. Ronald found himself under pressure after dropping both the opening and third games, but responded with impressive composure. Refusing to allow the match to slip away, he gradually wrestled back control of the rallies and produced a dominant deciding game to secure a hard-earned 3-11 11-5 6-11 11-9 11-1 victory after 62 minutes.
That comeback victory provided valuable momentum heading into the semi-finals, where Ronald faced Egyptian eighth seed Aly Tolba. Once again, the Colombian had to recover from a difficult position after losing the opening game. Showing excellent mental strength, he raised the intensity of his attacking play and edged a crucial third-game tie-break before pulling away to complete a 7-11 11-8 12-10 11-7 win and book his place in the final.
The final saw Ronald take on home favourite Alejandro Enriquez, who was determined to capitalise on strong local support. Enriquez made a fast start to claim the opening game, but Palomino responded impressively to level the contest. Despite battling hard throughout the remainder of the match, the Colombian was unable to contain Enriquez’s momentum as the Guatemalan secured the title with an 11-3 5-11 11-4 11-7 victory in 63 minutes.
Although denied the trophy, Ronald’s performances throughout the week underlined his growing consistency on the PSA World Squash Tour. His ability to recover from difficult situations, particularly in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, showcased both his competitive character and physical resilience.
A runner-up finish represents another positive result for the UNSQUASHABLE player and continues an encouraging period of form as he looks to build further momentum during the remainder of the PSA World Squash Tour season.
2026 PSA Guatemala Squash Open, Asociacion Deportiva Nacional de Squash de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala
Final:
[3] Alejandro Enriquez (GUA) bt [1] Ronald Palomino (COL) 11-3, 5-11, 11-4, 11-7 (63m)
Semi-Finals:
[3] Alejandro Enriquez (GUA) bt [6] Cesar Salazar (MEX) 11-9, 11-13, 11-8, 10-12, 11-3 (83m)
[1] Ronald Palomino (COL) bt [8] Aly Tolba (EGY) 7-11, 11-8, 12-10, 11-7 (51m)
Quarter-Finals:
[6] Cesar Salazar (MEX) bt [2] Alfredo Avila Vergara (MEX) 11-2, 11-4, 11-7 (15m)
[3] Alejandro Enriquez (GUA) bt [5] Sebastian Salazar (MEX) 11-1, 11-3, 11-4 (40m)
[8] Aly Tolba (EGY) bt [4] Francesco Marcantonio (PAR) 14-12, 16-14, 9-11, 9-11, 11-4 (82m)
[1] Ronald Palomino (COL) bt [7] Josue Enriquez (GUA) 3-11, 11-5, 6-11, 11-9, 11-1 (62m)
2nd Round:
[2] Alfredo Avila Vergara (MEX) bt [9/16] Alejandro Reyes (MEX) 17-15, 8-11, 11-7, 11-4
[6] Cesar Salazar (MEX) bt [WC] Angel Enriquez (GUA) 11-6, 11-3, 11-3
[5] Sebastian Salazar (MEX) bt [WC] Luis Angel Quisquinay (GUA) 9-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-7
[3] Alejandro Enriquez (GUA) bt [9/16] Segundo Portabales (ARG) 11-8, 11-8, 7-11, 11-4
[4] Francesco Marcantonio (PAR) bt Ricardo Toscano (GUA) 11-4, 11-9, 11-4
[8] Aly Tolba (EGY) bt [9/16] Connor Turk (CAN) 11-1, 11-8, 11-5
[7] Josue Enriquez (GUA) bt [9/16] Alejandro Martinez (COL) 11-2, 11-6, 11-4
[1] Ronald Palomino (COL) bt [9/16] Edgar Ramirez Bautista (COL) 11-6, 11-9, 10-12, 11-8
1st Round:
[2] Alfredo Avila Vergara (MEX) bye
[9/16] Alejandro Reyes (MEX) bt Israel Monteros (GUA) 11-9, 11-3, 11-6 (26m)
[WC] Angel Enriquez (GUA) bt [9/16] Alfredo Lopez (MEX) 11-8, 11-3, 11-4 (29m)
[6] Cesar Salazar (MEX) bye
[5] Sebastian Salazar (MEX) bye
[WC] Luis Angel Quisquinay (GUA) bt [9/16] Luis Yair Aquino Melo (MEX) 11-5, 11-7, 11-1 (22m)
[9/16] Segundo Portabales (ARG) bt Dylan Daniel Zapeta Vasquez (GUA) 11-3, 11-4, 11-2 (21m)
[3] Alejandro Enriquez (GUA) bye
[4] Francesco Marcantonio (PAR) bye
Ricardo Toscano (GUA) bt [9/16] Armando Olguin (MEX) 11-2, 11-3, 11-4 (19m)
[9/16] Connor Turk (CAN) bt [WC] Daniel Alejandro Morales (GUA) 5-11, 11-4, 12-10, 11-7 (41m)
[8] Aly Tolba (EGY) bye
[7] Josue Enriquez (GUA) bye
[9/16] Alejandro Martinez (COL) bt Sami Alrajhi Chang (GUA) 13-11, 11-1, 11-7 (25m)
[9/16] Edgar Ramirez Bautista (COL) bt Alan Garcia (MEX) 11-6, 11-5, 11-3 (19m)
[1] Ronald Palomino (COL) bye