BUENOS AIRES/STARNBERG, October 21, 2021
The top two seeds of the DOVE MEN+CARE Challenger Circuit Buenos Aires booked their spots in the quarterfinals of the $52,080 clay-court event hosted by the Racket Club in Argentina’s capital city.
World No. 92 Thiago Monteiro, the lone Top 100 player in the singles draw, only dropped five games during his 6-2, 6-3 win over Argentine Nicolas Kicker. The No. 1 seed from Brazil saved all seven break points he faced and converted three of his own five break-point chances to advance after one hour and 22 minutes.
“Nicolas is slowly finding his best level, he is a very tough opponent. I felt much more comfortable than on Tuesday, I could play my best tennis,” said Monteiro, who reached the semi-finals in Buenos Aires two years ago.
The 27-year-old lefty from Fortaleza will next take on Tomas Etcheverry, who emerged victorious from the all-Argentine affair with Renzo Olivo, rallying 3-6, 7-6(1), 6-4 after two hours and 51 minutes.
Shot! 🔥🔥@renzolii goes between-the-legs in Buenos Aires. ‘El Mago’ 🧙♂️🎩 strikes again @ChallengerBA. pic.twitter.com/TgWgzn3FDK
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) October 20, 2021
Cerundolo reaches ninth quarterfinal of the season
In the bottom half of the draw, No. 2 seed Juan Manuel Cerundolo of Argentina also had to go the distance against his compatriot Andrea Collarini.
The 19-year-old local favourite, who captured his maiden ATP Tour crown on home soil at the Cordoba Open in early March, outpointed his rival 99-96 after two hours and 28 minutes.
That feeling when you win on home soil 🤗@juanmacerundolo is through to his *ninth* #ATPChallenger QF of 2021, advancing in Buenos Aires.@ChallengerBA | @LegionSudam pic.twitter.com/uF9P1YTlEG
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) October 21, 2021
“The support from the spectators was tremendous, it gave me energy at the necessary moment. It’s incredible to play in conditions like this,” Cerundolo said. “I think that in the end Andrea was playing well, even better than me. Luckily, I was able to win it.”
Cerundolo will next play fifth seed Hugo Dellien from Bolivia, who outlasted Felipe Meligeni Rodrigues Alves 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(4) in two hours and 47 minutes.
