Santos (SP) – In the meeting between two Brazilian players, the experienced 30-year-old São Paulo native Pedro Sakamoto got the better of the 15-year-old youth from Goiás Luis Augusto Miguel, known as Guto, by 6/4 and 6/1 in his debut at the Santos Brasil Tennis Cup, challenger played at the Tennis Club, which distributes US$41,000 in prizes and awards 50 points to the champion. Currently 300th in the rankings, Sakamoto is seeded 8th in the event.
“It was an emotionally difficult match, against a boy who comes with a lot of desire to play and a lot of motivation. I’m glad I knew how to deal with the situation better, get into the points better and come out with the victory. The idea is to improve game by game, as you progress through the bracket”, said Sakamoto, who will face Argentine Gonzalo Villanueva, 427th placed, who tormented Wilson Leite last Monday, 6/4 and 6/2, in the round of 16.
Guto, who is still looking for the first points in the ATP singles ranking, also evaluated the experience and now maintains his focus on the doubles bracket, alongside fellow teenager João Prudêncio. They received an invitation from the event organizers. “I let the first set slip away, it was just a break, but it’s part of the experience.”
Boscardin, Sell and Gimenez fall on debut
Three other Brazilians lost in the opening round on Tuesday afternoon: Coming from Quali, São Paulo native Igor Gimenez He fell to the Lebanese Hady Habib, seed 4, by 6/4 and 6/0. Santa Catarina’s Pedro Boscardin was beaten by Argentine Juan Bautista Torres by 7/5 and 6/1. And Karue Sell, also from Santa Catarina, who received an invitation, suffered a double 6/2 from the 20-year-old Paraguayan Daniel Vallejo, seventh favorite.
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In the round, Daniel Dutra da Silva from São Paulo tries to maintain the momentum after the final in Porto Alegre and debuts against Argentine Alejo Lingua Lavallen. Pernambuco’s José Pereira challenges Turkish Ergi Kirkin, seed 6 in the event and coming from the title in the capital of Rio Grande do Sul.
The Santos Brasil Tennis Cup, is back on the coast of São Paulo and is presented by the Federal Sports Incentive Law of the Ministry of Sports, with the co-sponsorship of Trinity, Stella Artois Pure Gold, Azul Linhas Aéreas – Transportadora Oficial, Alupar, Taesa, Aberje, INNI Sports – Ball and Official Clothing. AppTicket support. The event is held at the Tênis Clube de Santos, and is part of the ATP Challenger Tour world calendar. It is organized by the Sports Institute.
