RIO DE JANEIRO, January 24, 2016

Facundo Bagnis claimed his seventh ATP Challenger title, winning the $50,000 Vivo Tennis Cup in Rio de Janeiro. The 25-year-old Argentine defeated Guilherme Clezar in Sunday’s final 6-4, 4-6, 6-2. In the pair’s eighth tour meeting, Bagnis smashed 17 aces on the red clay, won 79% of his first service points and converted four of his 10 break point chances to seal victory in two hours and three minutes.

The world number 109 from Buenos Aires has already lifted one Challenger trophy this season, winning the Racket Club Open on home soil seven days ago. He moves to 13-1 this year.

“I felt physically well until the last moment. Guilherme had an amazing week but I am glad that I won this title, getting me back into the top 100. I hope I can stay there longer among the best players and do better and better,” said Bagnis, who reached a career high number 90 in April 2015. The Argentine receives $7,200 in prize money and 80 ATP ranking points.

Gastao Elias and Andre Ghem captured the doubles title, winning 6-4, 7-6 over fourth seed Jonathan Eysseric and Miguel Angel Reyes-Varela in one hour and 15 minutes.

Andre Ghem and Gastao Elias (photo: Jodo Pires/Fotojump)