SALVADOR DE BAHIA/STARNBERG, May 3, 2022
The South American clay-court swing on the ATP Challenger Tour continues this week with the inaugural Challenger 80 Dove Men+Care Salvador. Situated in the Zona da Mata in the Northeast Region of Brazil, Salvador is recognized throughout the country and internationally for its cuisine, music and architecture. As the first capital of Colonial Brazil, the city is one of the oldest in the Americas and one of the first planned cities in the world, having been established during the Renaissance period. Its foundation in 1549 by Tomé de Sousa took place on account of the implementation of the General Government of Brazil by the Portuguese Empire.
The $53,120 event is being held at the Costa Verde Tenis Clube and led by World No. 147 Tomas Barrios Vera of Chile. The top seed will take on Joao Menezes in his opening match on Tuesday.
Three Brazilians opened their home campaign with a first-round win on Monday. Wild card entry Gustavo Heide beat his compatriot Mateus Alves 6-4, 6-2. The 20-yaer-old Sao Paulo native, who captured three titles on the ITF World Tennis Tour last season, sent down nine aces and won 87 per cent of his first-service points to secure victory in one hour and 46 minutes.
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“I expected a difficult match, but I was very focused and prepared well for today’s match to win,” said Heide, who will next take on the winner of the encounter between Matias Franco Descotte of Argentina and Chilean Gonzalo Lama.
Daniel Dutra da Silva defeated Nicolas Alvarez of Peru 6-4, 6-3. The World No. 284 from Brazil broke his rival four times to prevail after one hour and 30 minutes.
“Good first match. I felt comfortable on the court. After a difficult start, I became more relaxed, starting to play more aggressively and dominating the serve,” Dutra da Silva said.
The 33-year-old from Parelheiros awaits in the second round either Pol Martin Tiffon of Spain or No. 6 seed Santiago Fa Rodriguez Taverna from Argentina.
In the bottom half of the draw, Orlando Luz emerged victorious from the all-Brazilian affair with 19-year-old wild card entry Joao Victor Couto Loureiro, winning 6-4, 6-2 in one hour and 31 minutes. Luz will next play the winner of the match between Argentine Nicolas Kicker and local alternate Gilbert Klier Junior.
Monday Results
Qualifying – Final Round
Wilson Leite (BRA) d. Adrian Andreev (BUL) – 6/4 5/5 ret
Pedro Boscardin (BRA) d. Jorge Panta (PER) – 6/4 7/5
Matias Descotte (ARG) d. Cayetano March (ECU) – 6/1 6/2
Roman Burruchaga (ARG) d. Tomas Lipovsek Puches (SLO) – 6/4 6/1
Alejo Lavallen (ARG) d. Fernando Yamacita (BRA) – 6/7(7) 6/4 6/2
Conner del Pino (PER) d. Matias Zukas (ARG) – 6/2 6/3
Main draw – First Round
Gustavo Heide (BRA) d. Mateus Alves (BRA) – 6/4 6/2
Orlando Luz (BRA) d. João Loureiro (BRA) – 6/4 6/2
Facundo Juarez (ARG) d. Cristian Rodriguez (COL) – 6/4 3/0 ret
Daniel Dutra Silva (BRA) d. Nicolas Alvarez (PER) – 6/4 6/3