SAO PAULO, March 7, 2017

Pablo Cuevas won his third consecutive Brasil Open title in a rain-delayed Monday final. The 31-year-old from Uruguy fought past Albert Ramos-Vinolas of Spain, rallying 6-7, 6-4, 6-4. Cuevas won 75 per cent of his first service point and broke serve two times to prevail in just under three hours of play.

Cuevas became the first players since the tournament in Sao Paulo began in 2001 to win three consecutive Brasil Open crowns. He celebrated his sixth career ATP World Tour title. All of the right hander’s titles have come on clay since 2014.

“It was very different from previous years. I wasn’t really well in the start. I had to turn a few matches around, in the quarterfinals, too, and the match stopped yesterday when I was one set down. But I was strong enough and win a thrid title here,” told Cuevas, who is now 6-3 in ATP World Tour title matches. He hit an underhand serve for his second serve on his fourth match point, which he won for the title.

“I was making a lot of double faults. When I prepared to hit that second serve, there was a big chance that I would hit a double fault. So I thought about the possibility of the underarm serve and that it was something I probably shouldn’t do. But I also should not do another double fault (laughs). So I just stopped thinking and did it.”

Ramos-Vinolas was going for his second ATP World Tour crown. He fell to 1-3 in ATP World Tour title matches.

“I tried to keep calm during all the time we waited. I just couldn’t keep the same level as yesterday. I had a lot of chances, 15-40, break points, but it just wasn’t my day,” Ramos-Vinolas said.

Brazilians Take Doubles Title

For the first time in six years, an all-Brazilian team claimed the doubles title, as Rogerio Dutra Silva and Andre Sa lifted their first team trophy on Saturday. The pair defeated Marcus Daniell and Marcelo Demoliner 7-6, 5-7, 10-7. The encounter lasted two hours and two minutes.

“I feel amazing. To play at home with the crowd, everything was perfect. It was my first time playing with Andre, a legend of tennis, so I am very happy,” told Dutra Silva.

“Every title is special, but to do it on home soil is another level. It was a great atmosphere this week. I had my friends and family here, so it was really special. Rogerio is from Sao Paulo, so it was very special for him as well. We are just really happy,” added Sa.