PORTO ALEGRE/STARNBERG, May 5, 2024
At the age of 35 years and nine months, Daniel Dutra da Silva became the oldest player to reach his maiden final on the ATP Challenger Tour.
The Brazilian lucky loser defeated Argentine Facundo Mena 6-3, 6-4 in Saturday’s stage of the last four at the inaugural Brasil Tennis Open in Porto Alegre. Dutra da Silva, ranked World No. 464, broke his rival’s serve six times to advance in one hour and 48 minutes.
A second chance turns magical 💫
Lucky loser Daniel Dutra da Silva reaches his first career Challenger final with a victory over Mena 6-3, 6-4 in Porto Alegre!#ATPChallenger | @cbtenis pic.twitter.com/5Hrr5sBoiy
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) May 4, 2024
The winner of 26 singles titles on the ITF Pro Circuit is now seeking his first triumph on the Challenger Tour, facing Ergi Kirkin of Turkey. The No. 8 seed fought past Goncalo Bueno of Peru 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-3. Kirkin sent down three aces and won 68 per cent of his first-service points to secure victory in two hours and 46 minutes.
Following 13 title wins on the ITF World Tennis Tour, the 25-year-old Ankara native is also bidding for his maiden Challenger crown. Kirkin won the only previous meeting between the two in the second round of the ATP Challenger in San Miguel de Tucuman, Mexico last month in three sets.
Cid Subervi/Uchida triumph in doubles
In other action, Roberto Cid Subervi from the Dominican Republic and Japanese Kaichi Uchida claimed the doubles title. The pair defeated No. 4 seeds Patrick Harper of Australia and Briton David Stevenson 5-7, 7-6(1), 10-6 in one hour and 45 minutes.
By winning their second team title, their first at Challenger level, Cid Subervi and Uchida split $2,140 in prize money and collected 50 ATP Doubles Ranking points.
