SANTOS/STARNBERG, May 7, 2026
The center court of the Tenis Clube de Santos hosted the opening match of Matheus Pucinelli at the ATP Challenger 50 Santos Brasil Tennis Cup, and the Brazilian delivered an emphatic performance. The tournament’s highest-ranked Brazilian and last year’s runner-up defeated fellow countryman Rafael Tosetto 6–0, 6–1 in just one hour and two minutes to secure his place in the second round.
Pucinelli fully lived up to his status as one of the favorites and joins Joao Schiessl as the Brazilian representatives currently through to the next stage. Schiessl is scheduled to face US-American Ryan Dickerson on Thursday.
“I did my job very well today. I’m feeling good, and it was an excellent match to start the tournament with confidence,” said Pucinelli. “This is a place where I feel comfortable. I had a strong run here last year, and it was important to begin with this kind of rhythm and without giving him opportunities.”
Pucinelli will next take on Argentina’s Valerio Aboian.
A special moment also came for 17-year-old Pedro Longobardi, a Santos native and member of the host club, who played the first professional main-draw match of his career after spending the past two years competing in qualifying events. Facing fifth seed Juan Manuel La Serna of Argentina, Longobardi showed flashes of promise despite falling 6–1, 6–3.
Backed by local supporters, the young Brazilian produced several impressive rallies and captured four games against the experienced 22-year-old Argentine.
“It was a very positive week for me,” Longobardi reflected. “I rushed too much trying to finish points quickly, and because he was putting pressure on me, I couldn’t maintain consistency. Still, I’m grateful for the opportunity and for everyone who came to support me. Now I’ll keep working and improving my tennis.”
Longobardi now hopes to continue his development through future tournaments and eventually pursue college tennis in the United States, where he plans to study business.
Meanwhile, in the all-Brazilian clash, Guto Miguel defeated Wilson Leite 6-3, 6-1 to advance in 62 minutes. Thursday’s action begins at 10:30 a.m., with free admission for spectators.
Guto Miguel shines at home 🇧🇷
The 17-year-old storms past Leite 6-3, 6-1 to reach the second round in Santos#ATPChallenger | @cbtenis pic.twitter.com/P7Mn2qcZWM
— ATP Challenger (@ATPChallenger) May 6, 2026
Elsewhere, Brazilians Mateus Alves, Bruno Fernandez, Luis Felipe Miguel, and Nicolas Zanellato were all eliminated despite showing competitive moments during their matches.
