Ignacio Buse just lifted his second career ATP title, and over the course of 3 months, the 22-year-old from Peru has suddenly vaulted himself into the conversation as a possible US Open dark horse. Showcasing all-court power, and fearless baseline ball striking, Buse’s run to the title in ATP Winston-Salem is a sign of things to come.
Ignacio Buse Claims ATP Winston-Salem Title
Young Peruvian Ignacio Buse is suddenly in the conversation as a possible top 30 player. The title in Winston-Salem lifting him to #31 in the rankings this week. Buse dismantled British #1 and fellow rising talent Arthur Fery, and he did it with blistering returns that Fery couldn’t counter. In the process, Buse, who hails from Peru, made more history for his country, as he matched Luis Horna’s ATP title record (#2), and surpassed his career high ranking of #33.
Buse looked powerful on court all week as he beat Adam Walton in three sets, Daniel Altmaier, Juan Manuel Cerundolo in 3, and Benjamin Bonzi in 3. Buse wasn’t always the most consistent in his matches, but stepped up in the key moments and showed maturity beyond his years.
Buse Capitalizes on Pre Grand-Slam Fields
22-16 on the ATP tour this year, a clear breakthrough at tour level after a 34-19 Challenger Tour record in 2025, Buse has capitalized on “weakened” pre-Grand Slam tournament fields. As a qualifier, he stunningly won Hamburg with wins over current top 10 player Flavio Cobolli, Jakub Mensik, and Tommy Paul in the final. That title on clay was followed by a quarterfinal in Kitzbuhel.
After starting poorly with consecutive losses in Canada and Cincinnati, it was this week that Buse again found rhythm in Winston-Salem.
Buse Carries the Flag for Peruvian Tennis
After the win in Winston-Salem, Buse made an intentional effort to thank the fans supporting him from Peru and in the Peruvian diaspora, as he is one of the ATP Tour players who carries the flag for a smaller nation. Speaking to Tennis Grandstand in Winston-Salem, Buse spoke about the support he receives from his homeland.
“I always say it– it is very special for me to play in front of people from Peru,” Buse said. “Honestly, I had fairly low expectations that there would be Peruvians here. But in the end, there always are. It was really nice.”
Speaking in May to Clay Magazine, Buse said his goal for 2026 was to win an ATP title, now he has two.
The Last Word
Horna, Pablo Arraya, and Jaime Yzaga are Peru’s three of most accomplished men’s tennis players. Yzaga being Peru’s best with a career high ranking of #18, and two Grand Slam quarterfinals, including the 1994 US Open. With Alejandro “Alex” Olmedo Rodriguez, who was born in Peru but represented the United States, the winner of two Grand Slams in 1959 (and a US Open final that same year).
Buse will look to carry on their storied legacy at the US Open with his round 1 match against American Marcos Giron. If he beats Giron, it would be Buse’s second career Grand Slam main draw win. Looking beyond the US Open, Buse will look to excel during the Asian and European indoor swing that closes out the year, and build his ranking to be seeded at the 2026 Australian Open. Ignacio Buse has arrived on tennis biggest stages.
Main Photo Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
