PIRACICABA/STARNBERG, June 27, 2026
The finalists have been decided at the Copa Internacional de Tenis de Piracicaba, the ATP Challenger 50 event offering a prize purse of $63,000 and 50 ATP Ranking points to the champion. Sunday’s final at Clube Cristovao Colombo will feature Brazil’s Thiago Seyboth Wild against Argentina’s Gonzalo Villanueva.
Villanueva became the first player to book his place in the championship match after battling past Brazilian Matheus Pucinelli in three sets.
Backed by a packed Centre Court crowd, Pucinelli claimed the opening set 6-3 with another strong performance. However, the Brazilian was unable to convert several opportunities in the second set, including after taking a 3-1 lead on serve before being broken back. Villanueva raised his level to claim the set 7-5 and, after Pucinelli required a medical timeout early in the decider, the Argentine took control to complete a 3-6, 7-5, 6-1 comeback victory.
“I’m very happy to have turned the match around and come away with the win,” said Villanueva. “He’s a very tough player, he was playing at home, and it was a very close match. I’m delighted to have won and reached the first Challenger final of my career.”
The second semi-final belonged to Seyboth Wild, who produced an impressive performance to defeat Argentina’s Juan Manuel La Serna 6-3, 6-3.
Cheered on by enthusiastic home supporters, who embraced the traditional Brazil-Argentina rivalry throughout the match, Wild remained in control from start to finish to move within one victory of claiming his first ATP Challenger title on Brazilian soil.
“I’ve been improving throughout the week and gaining confidence,” Seyboth Wild said. “The conditions here are difficult and it’s not easy to play, but I’m very happy with today’s result. Tomorrow will be another battle and another tough match.”
Seyboth Wild also noted that his head-to-head record with Villanueva is tied at 2-2, setting the stage for a closely contested final.
The Brazilian emphasised how much competing at home means to him.
“Playing in Brazil is always special, whether it’s the Rio Open, a Challenger, or any other tournament. Speaking your own language and having the crowd behind you is an incredible feeling. Of course, we always want to win, but winning in Brazil feels twice as special,” Seyboth Wild said with a smile. “I hope the crowd comes back tomorrow. I don’t expect anything less than today, and I invite everyone to come and enjoy this Brazil versus Argentina final.”
