PIRACICABA/STARNBERG, February 2, 2024
Matheus Pucinelli de Almeida, as he did yesterday, once again demonstrated excellent tennis to secure a spot in the quarterfinals of the Ano II – Brasil Tennis Challenger in Piracicaba on Thursday. On Centre Court of Clube Cristpvao Colombo, the 22-year-old Brazilian served exceptionally well and felt comfortable with the crowd to defeat Italian Edoardo Lavagno 6-1, 6-3.
Pucinelli de Almeida won 90 per cent of his first-service points, saved the only break point he faced and converted four of his own five break-point chances to advance in one hour and 29 minutes.
“Starting the year with two victories gives me the confidence that I am capable of competing in tournaments, as I have done before. It brings good feelings because that’s the path, the daily mental struggle, stepping out of the comfort zone, wanting more, and continuing to dream, seeking bigger challenges,” said Pucinelli de Almeida.
The World No. 343 from Campinas will next take on another Italian, Alexander Weis, who defeated Brazilian qualifier Daniel Dutra da Silva 6-3, 6-3 in one hour and eight minutes.
In other second-round action, top seed Federico Coria benefited from the retirement of fellow Argentine Juan Bautista Torres. Coria was leading 3-0, 3-0 when Torres was forced to stop playing due to stomach problems.
Up next for Coria will be Gianluca Mager of Italy. The champion of last week’s Punta del Este Open ATP Challenger in Uruguay battled past Hernan Casanova of Argentina 2-6, 6-1, 7-6(4). The encounter lasted two hours and seven minutes.
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