TODI, July 19, 2021
Mario Vilella Martinez of Spain captured his second title on the ATP Challenger Tour by winning the Internazionali Di Tennis Citta Di Todi. The No. 2 seed of the €44,820 clay-court tournament battled past top favourite Federico Gaio from Italy 7-6(3), 1-6, 6-3 in Sunday’s singles final under the lights at the Tennis Club Todi 1971.
Vilella Martinez defeated Frenchman Tristan Lamasine, Italian wild card entry Francesco Forti, home favourite Giulio Zeppieri and Brazilian qualifier Matheus Pucinelli de Almeida en route to the championship match.
The World No. 178 struck seven aces and won 73 per cent of his first-service points to seal victory in one hour and 58 minutes.
🎶 This is your celebration, Mario! 🎶
🥇| @ATPChallenger | @federtennis | @RegioneUmbria | @ESPNtenis | @RFETenis | @ATPTour_ES pic.twitter.com/Mhbpj4RWWU
— MEF tennis events (@meftennisevents) July 18, 2021
This week in Central Italy, Vilella Martinez was accompanied by 2013 Todi runner-up Santiago Giraldo from Colombia: “I am really happy with this success,” the newly crowned champion said. “Santiago supported me as a friend and coach. Eight years ago he missed four match points in the final and I am happy to have won here alongside him.”
Vilella Martinez, who celebrated his maiden Challenger title win in Prague two years ago, collected in Umbria € 6,190 in prize money as well as 80 ATP Ranking points.
Italians triumph in doubles
On Saturday, the all-Italian tandem of Francesco Forti and Giulio Zeppieri took their first team on the ATP Challenger Tour. In a doubles final between two unseeded teams, the home favourites defeated Facundo Diaz Acosta from Argentina and Alexander Merino of Peru 6-3, 6-2 in 63 minutes.
Forti and Zeppieri split €2,670 in prize money and collected 80 ATP Doubles Rankings points.
🇮🇹 F O R Z A 🇮🇹
Francesco Forti & Giulio Zeppieri claim their first career #ATPChallenger doubles title after defeating Diaz Acosta & Merino 6-3, 6-2 in Todi! pic.twitter.com/7v6xmZvFMe
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) July 17, 2021
