PORTO ALEGRE/STARNBERG, May 2, 2024

The clay-court swing in South America continues this week with the inaugural Brasil Tennis Open being held at the Associacao Leopoldina Juvenil in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Bruno Kuzuhara, born in Brazil and raised in the United States, booked his spot in the second round of the $41,000 event on Wednesday. The junior champion of the 2022 Australian Open in singles and doubles defeated Brazilian qualifier Igor Gimenez 7-6(5) 7-5.

Welcome to the @BrunoKuzuhara show 🤩

The 20-year-old marches on in Porto Alegre with a 7-6(5), 7-5 win over Gimenez#ATPChallenger | @usta pic.twitter.com/LYTUCN79P4

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) May 1, 2024

Kuzuhara converted six of his 19 break-point chances and won 51 per cent of the total points played to secure victory in two hours and 29 minutes. The 20-year-old Florida resident will next take on No. 8 seed Ergi Kirkin of Turkey.

The field in Porto Alegre was led by Frenchman Calvin Hemery. The World No. 194, however, fell in the opening round to home favourite Karue Sell 6-2, 6-1 on Tuesday. Sell is now one of five Brazilian bidding for a spot in the quarterfinals.

Wednesday Results

First Round – Singles

Ergi Kirkin (TUR) d. Adolfo Vallejo (PAR) 6/1 7/6(3)

Facundo Mena (ARG) d. Leonardo Aboian (ARG) 3/6 6/1 6/1

Kaichi Uchida (JAP) d. João Lucas Reis (BRA) 6/3 4/6 1/0 ret.

Juan Bautista Torres (ARG) d. Guilherme Clezar (BRA) 6/2 6/0

Bruno Kazuhara (USA) d. Igor Gimenez (BRA) 7/6(5) 7/5

Luciano Ambrogi (ARG) d. Murkel Dellien (BOL) 7/6(3) 7/5