Santos (SP) – The 20-year-old North American Bruno Kuzuhara will have the support of the Brazilian fans in the final rounds of the Santos Brasil Tennis Cup. Qualified for the quarterfinals of the challenger played at the Tennis Club, Kuzuhara was born in São Paulo, where much of his family still lives. His parents moved with him to the United States when Bruno was a baby, and there he studied and learned to play tennis. As a junior, he won the Australian Open in the category and reached the top of the rankings. As a professional, he ranks 469th in the ATP.
“I’m home for sure. My uncle came from São Paulo to cheer, there were more people on my side and I hope to advance to the semi-finals and final so the whole family can come and cheer”, said Kuzuhara, in perfect Portuguese, after the victory over the Turkish Ergi Kirkin, 251st. of the ranking, by 6/3, 4/6 and 7/5 in 3h06 of play this Thursday. He lost the last set by 5/3, but ended the match by winning four games in a row.
“It was the return from our match in Porto Alegre, last week. A tough game, but with the support of my uncle and the fans I managed to win today,” he added. Kuzuhara’s opponent in the quarterfinals will be Lebanese Hady Habib, seeded 4th and 286th in the rankings, who defeated Uruguayan Franco Roncadelli 6/4 and 6/2.
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As for Kirkin, the defeat ends the South American tour that he made for the first time in his career and that will remain in his memory forever, especially after the victory in the capital of Rio Grande do Sul last Sunday. “My first challenger title will be a memory that I will keep forever and Brazil will stay with me too. With this ranking I can try to play challengers in Europe and maybe start traveling with my coach, because 80% of the time I have traveled alone and it is not easy”, said the 25-year-old tennis player.
Also guaranteed a place in the quarterfinals is 20-year-old Paraguayan Daniel Vallejo, 299th in the rankings, who didn’t even enter the court, after the withdrawal of Peruvian Gonzalo Bueno, who felt feverish. His next opponent will come from the game between Argentines Renzo Olivo and Alejo Lingua Lavallen, which will resume this Friday. Lavallen was leading 7/6 (7-2) and 3/0 when play was stopped. Two other Argentines are scheduled for the quarterfinals, Hernan Casanova against Juan Bautista Torres, while Gonzalo Villanueva challenges 2 seed Santiago Taverna.
Brazilians say goodbye to the doubles bracket
The Brazilians said goodbye in the doubles quarterfinals. Pedro Boscardin from Santa Catarina and his Kazakh partner Dmitry Popko were beaten by Israeli Roy Stepanov and Colombian Andres Urrea by double 6/4. Bruno Kuzuhara and Nicolas Zanellato from São Paulo withdrew from the tournament after Kuzuhara’s tough game in singles. He reported feeling dehydrated. With this, Argentines Leonardo and Valerio Aboian advanced directly to the semifinals.
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.
