CAMPINAS/STARNBERG, October 20, 2021
Home favourite Thiago Monteiro fought more than three hours and 30 minutes and needed to save a match point to secure a spot in the semi-finals of the 11th edition of the Campeonato Internacional de Tenis in Campinas, Brazil.
The fourth seed of the $52,080 ATP Challenger Tour clay-court event battled past Timofey Skatov of Kazakhstan 6-7(4), 6-3, 7-6(4) on Friday afternoon on Quadra Central Joao Lima at the Sociedade Hípica de Campinas tennis complex.
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“In the end I managed to prevail with good energy, attitude and a little experience as well,” said Monteiro, who thanked the fans for their support. “This energy is very important, it’s really cool to see the public returning to tournaments, playing in Brazil after I don’t know how long. I was lucky to enjoy a great atmosphere, I’m very happy to see that the people root for me and for the Brazilians.”
The World No. 94 outpointed his rival 129-120 and equaled his best result in Campinas he achieved three years ago.
“It was really, really tough. I didn’t know him well, he’s a very solid guy, especially in today’s conditions, very heavy and slow,” said Monteiro, who is bidding for his second Challenger title of the season following his triumph at the Braga Open in Portugal in September. “I started well, served for the set, had set points but couldn’t convert. Then he played the tie-break very well. In the second set I managed to be more aggressive.”
Up next for Monteiro will be Tomas Martin Etcheverry from Argentina, who edged out Nicolas Jarry of Chile 6-4, 6-1 in one hour and 36 minutes.
The bottom half of the draw was still in second-round action. No. 3 seed Juan Manuel Cerundolo of Argentina fought past teenager and local wild card entry Gustavo Heide 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 to set a quarterfinal clash with his older brother and eighth seed Francisco Cerundolo, who beat Felipe Meligeni Rodrigues Alves of Brazil 6-2, 6-3.
Argentine Sebastian Baez defeated Peruvian qualifier Nicolas Alvarez 6-4, 6-3 to play his compatriot Santiago Fa Rodriguez Taverna in the stage of the final eight.
ATP Challenger Campinas – Friday Results
Second Round – Singles
[3] Juan Manuel Cerundolo (ARG) d. [WC] Gustavo Heide (BRA) 6/1 3/6 6/3
[7] Sebastian Baez (ARG) d. [Q] Nicolas Alvarez (PER) 6/4 6/3
[8] Francisco Cerundolo (ARG) d. Felipe Meligeni (BRA) 6/2 6/3
Quarterfinals – Singles
[4] Thiago Monteiro (BRA) d. Timofey Skatov (KAZ) 6/7(4) 6/3 7/6(4)
Tomas Martin Etcheverry (ARG) d. Nicolas Jarry (CHI) 6/4 6/1
Quarterfinals – Doubles
[1] Rafael Matos (BRA)/Felipe Meligeni (BRA) d. [WC] Mateus Alves (BRA)/Oscar José Gutierrez (BRA) 6/3 6/0
Hernan Casanova (ARG)/Santiago Rodriguez (ARG) d. Federico Coria (ARG)/Tomas Lipovsek (SLO) 4/6 6/3 10-7
