(Photo: Fotojump)
Rafael Matos began his journey in search of his second ATP 250 Marrakech title with victory. Playing alongside Colombian Nicolás Barrientos, the Brazilian defeated Frenchman Hugo Gaston and Russian Pavel Kotov by 2 sets to 0, in a double 6/3, this Tuesday (02). Rafa was champion of this tournament two years agoalongside Spaniard David Vega Hernández.
Seeded number three, Rafa and Barrientos managed to impose favoritism to emerge victorious against Gaston/Kotov. Despite having four double faults, the South American duo won 88% of the points played on first serve. The Brazilian and the Colombian had a break in each set and played with just one break point against – except as equals.
With the victory, Rafael Matos (45th in the world in doubles) and Nicolás Barrientos (50th) secured themselves in the quarterfinals of the Moroccan tournament. Now, they will face the winner of the duel between Dutchman Bart Stevens and Greek Petros Tsitsipas against Indian Yuki Bhambri and Frenchman Albano Olivetti, who will play this Wednesday (03). Therefore, the South Americans will only return to the court on Thursday or Friday.
Rafael Matos is the only Brazilian representative at the ATP 250 in Marrakech. He is defending a run of two consecutive years with country titles in the tournament’s doubles bracket. Rafa Matos himself was champion in 2022, alongside Spaniard David Vega Hernández, while Marcelo Demoliner and Italian Andrea Vavassori won the last editionlast year.
22 years old from São Paulo. Journalist graduated from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG). I’ve been at Olimpíada Todo Dia since 2022. I covered the World University Games in Chengdu and the Pan-American Games in Santiago-2023.
