PORTO ALEGRE/STARNBERG, May 5, 2025
Under blue skies, blazing sun, and packed stands, Porto Alegre hosted the thrilling final of the Ano II – Brasil Tennis Open on Sunday. The ATP Challenger 50 event, played on the clay courts of Associacao Leopoldina Juvenil, culminated in an exciting showdown as Argentina’s Santiago Rodriguez Taverna battled past Spain’s Nikolas Sanchez Izquierdo 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(6) to claim the title of the tournament’s second edition.
The 25-year-old Argentine, ranked World No. 261, secured his second career ATP Challenger title, three years after his maiden triumph on home soil in Buenos Aires. Earlier this season, he won the ITF World Tennis Tour M25 Chacabuco title and was runner-up at the Tucuman Challenger just a week ago. With this victory in Porto Alegre, Rodriguez Taverna will rise back into the Top 200, reaching a career milestone of World No. 196.
The final saw the 26-year-old Sanchez Izquierdo take early control with a consistent game to win the opening set 6-4. However, the Spaniard’s composure wavered in the second set as Rodriguez Taverna surged to a 4-1 lead and held on to level the match 6-4. The decisive third set was a rollercoaster, with both players trading breaks before it was ultimately settled in a tense tie-break. Rodriguez Taverna edged it 8-6 to seal victory after a hard-fought battle.
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“I’m really happy to win the title here in Porto Alegre, at this wonderful club, with such an incredible crowd,” Taverna said after lifting the trophy. “I’ve had a great start to the season with good results, and now this Challenger title. My goal is to keep doing what I do best, work on my weaknesses, and keep climbing the rankings.”
Alongside the 50 ATP Ranking points, Taverna earned $8,350 in prize money. Sanchez Izquierdo collected 25 Ranking points and $4,910 as runner-up.
