SANTOS/STARNBERG, May 12, 2024
Hady Habib is experiencing the best moment of his tennis career. Ranked World No. 286, the 25-year-old Lebanese reached the final of the Santos Brasil Tennis Cup on Saturday by defeating Argentine alternate Juan Bautista Torres, 7-5, 6-4.
Habib sent down six aces and won 84 per cent of his first-service points to advance in one hour and 26 minutes. Habib has won ten singles titles on the ITF World Tennis Tour but has never reached an ATP Challenger Tour final before. His victory on Saturday guarantees him $3,350 prize money as well as 25 ATP Ranking points.
Mood when you reach your first career Challenger final 😄
Hady Habib books his spot in the title match in Santos after beating Torres 7-5, 6-4#ATPChallenger | @hady_habib1 pic.twitter.com/y63agPSvyM
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) May 11, 2024
Habib will play Argentine qualifier Alejo Lorenzo Lingua Lavallan for the title in Brazil. The 23-year-old lefty knocked off his compatriot and No. 2 seed Santiago Rodriguez Taverna 6-3, 6-2. Lingua Lavallan saved both break points he faced and capitalized on three of his own five break-point opportunities to prevail after one hour and 28 minutes.
Following three triumphs on the ITF Pro Circuit, the World No. 665 from South America is also bidding for his maiden Challenger title. Lingua Lavallan and Habib will meet for the first time.
