FANO, August 15, 2016

Joao Souza had to wait more than two years in order to lift his eighth trophy on the ATP Challenge Tour. Last week in Cortina d’Ampezzo he ended the title drought and now backed it up by winning Sunday’s final of the €42,500 Adriatic Challenger in Fano.

The 28-year-old from Brazil battled past Nicolas Kicker, winning 6-4, 6-7, 6-2. Souza converted seven of his 13 break point opportunities and won 127 of the total 237 points played to prevail in three hours and 12 minutes.

“I knew it was going to be a tough match. After not having taken advantage of the match points in the second set, I remained concentrated and still attacked more. So I’m really tired now, definitely happy, but I almost do not have the strength to speak,” the fourth seed told right after the encounter.

“With this final, I won 10 consecutive matches in two weeks. It is amazing to win two tournaments in a row.” Souza takes away €6,150 in prize money as well as 90 ATP ranking points. He will get back closer to the top 100, being ranked on 118th position now.

“I will have a short celebration now and then start the journey to the United States, where I am going to play the qualification to the US-Open.” 

On Saturday, Italian top seeds Riccardo Ghedin and Alessandro Motti defeated Austrian Lucas Miedler and Dutchman Mark Vervoort 6-4, 6-4 to claim the doubles title in one hour and 13 minutes.