PUNTA DEL ESTE, February 3, 2020
Thiago Monteiro is the winner of the third edition of the Punta Open. The first clay-court tournament of the new season on the ATP Challenger Tour took place at the Cantegril Country Club in Punta del Este, Uruguay. The No. 2 seed and defending champion from Brazil fought past the tournament’s top seed Marco Cecchinato of Italy 7-6(3), 6-7(6), 7-5 in Sunday’s singles final.
Monteiro battled through the bottom half of the draw with victories over Argentine wild card entry Mariano Kestelboim, No. 16 seed Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina as well as compatriots Guilherme Clezar and Felipe Meligeni Rodrigues Alves. Monteiro capitalized on two of his eight break point chances and saved three match points in the title match to prevail after two hours and 50 minutes.
Not one, not two, but THREE!@dThiagoMonteiro saves 3 MP to reign in Punta del Este, successfully defending his title at the @puntaopen. pic.twitter.com/1R0ZY6xBL7
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) February 3, 2020
“I wasn’t surprised by the fact that the final was very close. Marco is a great player, especially on clay,” Montreiro said. “I am glad that a couple of Brazilians were in the crowd and supported me.”
By lifting his fifth ATP Challenger trophy, the World No. 89 took away from the city and resort on the Atlantic Coast $7,200 in prize money as well as 80 ATP Ranking points.
On Saturday, Orlando Luz and Rafael Matos clinched the doubles title. The No. 1 seeds from Brazil defeated wild card entries Juan Manuel Cerundolo and Thaigo Agustin Tirante of Argentina 6-4, 6-2. The final lasted one hour and three minutes.
