Naples (Italy) – Top seeds in the Naples challenger, on clay courts in Italy, Rafael Matos and Colombian Nicolas Barrientos were eliminated in the opening round, this Thursday, by Czechs Petr Nouza and Patrik Rikl, who scored partial 6 /3 and 6/4 in 1h16 of departure.
Matos and Barrientos had not played since the last week of February, when they were semi-finalists at the ATP in Santiago. They were on the waiting list for a place in the Miami Masters 1000, but were two withdrawals away from a place in the main draw. Therefore, they decided to bring forward their preparation for the European clay tournaments, aiming for Roland Garros.
Playing together since the beginning of the year, Matos and Barrientos won the Rio Open. The title was the first for a Brazilian in 10 editions of the only ATP 500 in South America. They were also semifinalists in Buenos Aires and Santiago and reached the quarterfinals in Córdoba. At the start of the season, they played in Brisbane and Adelaide before advancing a round at the Australian Open.
28-year-old Gaucho, Matos is currently 43rd in the ranking among doubles specialists and has a career-best record of 26th place. Partner Barrientos, aged 36, is 50th in the world.
João Schiessl plays doubles semi in Türkiye
19-year-old João Schiessl from Paraná fell in the round of 16 of the ITF W15 in Anatalya, on clay courts in Turkey. Coming from quali, the current 857th in the ranking lost to the Dutch Niels Visker, 7th seed in the event and 650th place, by 6/3 and 6/4. In doubles, however, Schiessl and the Argentine advanced to the semifinals with a victory over fellow Dutchmen Deney and Miko Wassermann by 5/7, 7/5 and 10-7. This Friday they face Romanians Ioan Chirita and Mircea Jecan.
Tags: Matos Barrientos fall debut Naples
