Alvaro Guillen Meza became the first quarterfinalist at the Copa Internacional de Tenis Campinas ATP Challenger 75 on Wednesday after fighting back to defeat Brazil’s Pedro Sakamoto 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 at the Sociedade Hípica.

Sakamoto pushed the second seed hard and looked in control after taking a closely contested opening set. However, the Ecuadorian gradually raised his level, recovered in the second set and eventually took charge of the match in the decider.

“In the first set I wasn’t able to impose my level,” Guillen Meza said afterwards. “Then I reacted, but there is still a lot to improve.”

The 21-year-old refused to think too far ahead despite his status as one of the tournament favourites.

“I’m not thinking about being one of the favourites,” he added. “I prefer to build my run little by little, match by match.”

Guillen Meza also said he feels comfortable playing in Campinas, even though the crowd was largely behind his Brazilian opponent.

“I like playing here, I feel good. Even with most of the crowd supporting the Brazilian, there were still people supporting me too.”

The Ecuadorian is currently coached by Emilio Gomez, son of 1990 Roland Garros champion Andres Gomez.