STARNBERG, November 29, 2020
Unseeded Felipe Meligeni Rodrigues Alves and No. 6 seed Frederico Ferreira Silva have both reached their first singles final on the ATP Challenger Tour, facing off in Sunday’s championship match of the $52,080 Sao Paulo Open Tennis held at the Clube Hipico Santo Amaro.
Meligeni emerged victorious from the all-Brazilian semi-final encounter with Pedro Sakamoto, winning 6-2, 6-4. The World No. 306 from Campinas sent down four aces, saved all three break points he faced and converted three of his own 10 break point chances to prevail after one hour and 22 minutes.
“I started today’s match with a lot of intensity. I managed to impose my pace from the beginning. It was essential to have come in with a positive energy, a winning attitude. I wasn’t too nervous and enjoyed my moment. In the second set I stayed focused, as I had many break points, but I didn’t take advantage. I saved two break points at an important moment in the second set to keep me in the game. It was a really cool win for me,” Meligeni said after reaching his final on the ATP Challenger Tour.
In other action, Ferreira Silva defeated No. 7 seeded Brazilian Joao Menezes 6-4, 6-3. The 25-year-old Portuguese won 54 per cent of the total points played to secure victory in one hour and 20 minutes.
Meligeni, who has clinched four trophies on the ITF World Tennis Tour, is seeking his maiden title at Challenger level. “It is very special to reach my first Challenger final. I am looking forward to it. Fred plays very well, it will be another difficult match, but the important thing is to feel good, confident and motivated to succeed in the final,” Meligeni said.
The 22-year-old home favourite and Ferreira Silva will meet for the first time. The left-hander from Portugal has captured 16 titles on the ITF Pro Circuit.
Meligeni/Martinez clinch doubles title
Meligeni returned to action later in the afternoon, taking the doubles title of the clay-court event alongside Luis David Martinez of Venezuela. The top seeds beat the all-Brazilian combination of Rogerio Dutra Silva and Fernando Romboli 6-3, 6-3. The encounter lasted one one hour and one minute.
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