STARNBERG, December 6, 2020
Francisco Cerundolo has stopped the impressive run of Brazilian Felipe Meligeni Rodrigues Alves, champion of last week’s Sao Paulo Open Tennis, in the semi-finals of the Campeonato Internacional de Tenis in Campinas, Brazil.
The No. 7 seed from Argentina converted five of his 12 break-point chances to seal a 6-1, 6-4 victory in one hour and 24 minutes on Saturday afternoon at the Sociedade Hípica de Campinas.
“The last two weeks have been very positive but also exhausting,” said Meligeni, who is currently ranked a career-high World No. 242. “In the quarterfinals I felt my left thigh a little bit. I wasn’t at 100 per cent, but Francisco played too good today. As always, he showed an incredible level. I am very happy with my season. I managed to establish myself on the Challenger Circuit and now I can play my first qualifying of a Grand Slam tournament.”
Cerundolo has also enjoyed a great year. The 22-year-old from Buenos Aires is bidding for his third title in three months, being on a 19-3 run since mid-September.
“Felipe is a great player and a good friend, he has been playing very well and is at home. I tried to concentrate on my game, I didn’t care about the applause and shouting and I’m very happy to win an important match,” said Cerundolo, who will take on top seed Roberto Carballes Baena in the final. The World No. 102 from Spain defeated reigning Lima Challenger champion Daniel Elahi Galan of Colombia 6-4, 6-2 after one hour and 18 minutes.
“In fact, it’s going to be a tough match. We played in Guayaquil and it looks like it was easy, but it was a tough match,” said Cerundolo, who emerged victorious from the only previous meeting with Carballes Baena in Ecuador in straight sets. “I played great tennis. Tomorrow is a different match, it is a final, I will focus and try to make my game.”
Frenchmen take doubles title
In other action, Sadio Doumbia and Fabien Reboul of France clinched the doubles title. The No. 2 seeds battled past the tournament’s top seed Luis David Martinez of Venezuela and Felipe Meligeni 6-7(7), 7-5, 10-7. The final lasted one hour and 45 minutes.
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