SAO PAULO/STARNBERG, December 6, 2021
Juan Pablo Ficovich of Argentina clinched his first title on the ATP Challenger Tour by lifting the trophy of the Dove Men & Care Challenger Sao Paulo. In a match between two first-time finalists, the World No. 285 defeated 19-year-old Italian qualifier Luciano Darderi 6-3, 7-5 at the Clube Hipico De Santo Amaro in Sao Paulo, Brazil on Sunday.
Ficovich sent down eight aces, won 74 per cent of his first-service points and broke his rival four times to secure victory in one hour and 53 minutes.
“It was a very tough match, in which I had to be mentally strong and play well in the important moments. It was a good week and now I just want to enjoy this achievement,” said Ficovich, who will next travel from Sao Paulo to Florianopolis to play another stage of the Dove Men & Care La Legión Sudamericana Circuit.
Pasó otra gran semana en el “Circuito DOVE MEN+CARE Legión Sudamericana”, con una gran final entre dos chicos que pronto estarán entre los mejores del mundo.
Seguimos haciendo historia, disfrutando el camino y planificando TODO lo bueno que se viene. #tenis #atp #challenger pic.twitter.com/FG879KkN2e
— Legión Sudamericana (@LegionSudam) December 5, 2021
This triumph is even more special for Ficovich, who was sidelined from the courts for seven months due to myocarditis after a Covid-19 infection.
“I came back to play in July and I feel very happy with the matches I’ve been playing and I hope to continue that way,” said Ficovich.
The Buenos Aires native earned $7,200 in prize money as well as 80 ATP Ranking points and gave Argentina its 20th ATP Challenger Tour title of the year, tying the record for most titles by a country in a single season.
🇦🇷 Báez 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
🇦🇷 J.M. Cerúndolo 🏆🏆🏆
🇦🇷 Coria 🏆🏆
🇦🇷 Etcheverry 🏆🏆
🇦🇷 Bagnis 🏆
🇦🇷 Cachín 🏆
🇦🇷 Mena 🏆
🇦🇷 Tirante 🏆
🇦🇷 F. Cerúndolo 🏆
🇦🇷 Ugo Carabelli 🏆
🇦🇷 Ficovich 🏆— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) December 5, 2021
