SAO PAULO, November 29, 2015

It will be an all-Spanish final at the ATP Challenger Tour Finals in Sao Paulo on Sunday. In the only semi-final taking place on Saturday, Inigo Cervantes ousted Brazilian wild card Guilherme Clezar with a 6-3, 7-6 victory. In front of fully packed stands at the Pinheiros Sports Club, the world number 98 from Spain fired 17 aces, saved all two break points he faced and converted one of his own to prevail in one hour and 43 minutes. Cervantes has become one of only four players to win 49 Challenger matches in a season. The record his held by Carlos Berlocq, who achieved 57 wins in 2010.

Inigo Cervantes (photo: Marcello Zambrana)

“There was only one break in the entire match and then a tight tie-break. Guilherme is a very dangerous player here. Not only because we are playing in Brazil but it is a pretty fast surface here indoors. So I am very happy to win the match,” Cervantes told afterwards and eyes on winning his fourth title of the season.

In the final, Cervantes will take on fellow countryman Daniel Munoz de la Nava for the second time this week. Both players met in the round robin stage with Cervantes winning in three sets. Munoz de la Nava received a walkover into the final, as his scheduled opponent Guido Pella had to withdraw from the match due to adductor injury.

“We met a few days ago and it was a tough match and lasted nearly three hours,” Cervantes said. “It will be difficult again. We know each other pretty well but if I continue playing like today, I will have a good chance to win. Maybe Daniel will have a physical advantage, as he could enjoy a rest today and I had to play for almost two hours, but this victory will help me mentally for tomorrow,” he added.