ECP Open RD1: Brazilian Quartet Into Second Round

The opening day of the ECP Open, the last event of the Tour de las Americas, saw four Brazilian hopes make it through to the second round on home soil.

Junior Christovam, Vitor Vieira and Gustavo Pizatto all got the better of Mexican opposition, all of whom who were 9/16 seeds. Christovam defeated Carlos Zendejas in four games to book his place in the last 16. He fought back after losing the second game on a tie-break to win 3-1, and to knock out the Mexican.

Vieira defeated Mexico’s Armando Olguin in straight games to reach the second round, needing just 22 minutes to get the victory. Meanwhile, Pizatto downed Alfredo Lopez in a tough three-gamer, with the first two games both finishing 13-11. Lopez then won the third 11-9 to seal the deal.

The fourth Brazilian to make it through to the second round was Pedro Mometto, who overcame compatriot Gabriel Pederiva in straight games to secure his last 16 place.

They were joined by a quartet of Colombians in making it through to the last 16 in Sao Paulo. Sebastian Rodriguez Rayo, Felipe Tovar, Santiago Orozco and Nicolas Serna join the Brazilian four in the second round at Esporte Clube Pinheiros.

The second round of the Challenger 5 level competition will take place on Thursday, May 25. The seeded eight players will come into the draw on Thursday, with all the action being streamed on the Na Late YouTube channels. You can keep up to date with daily updates from the tournament on the PSA Challenger Tour’s Twitter and Facebook.

First Round Results: Tour de las Americas – ECP Open
Sebastian Rodriguez Rayo (COL) bt Vinicius Torres Berbel (BRA) 3-1: 11-7, 10-12, 11-7, 11-5 (56m)
Pedro Mometto (BRA) bt Gabriel Pederiva (BRA) 3-0: 11-4, 11-8, 11-3 (28m)
Felipe Tovar (COL) bt Matheus Carbonieri (BRA) 3-0: 11-4, 11-6, 11-7 (31m)
Gustavo Pizatto (BRA) bt Alfredo Lopez (MEX) 3-0: 13-11, 13-11, 11-9 (40m)
Vitor Vieira (BRA) bt Armando Olguin (MEX) 3-0: 11-4, 11-7, 11-6 (22m)
Junior Christovam (BRA) bt Carlos Zendejas (MEX) 3-1: 12-10, 11-13, 11-3, 11-9 (58m)
Santiago Orozco (COL) bt Rhuan Sousa (BRA) 3-0: 11-7, 11-4, 11-8 (34m)
Nicolas Serna (COL) bt Murilo Penteado (BRA) 3-0: 11-4, 11-5, 11-7 (29m)

Second Round Draw: To be Played Thursday, May 25
[1] Christopher Gordon (USA) v Sebastian Rodriguez Rayo (COL)
Pedro Mometto (BRA) v [8] Francesco Marcantonio (PAR)
[5] Rowan Damming (NED) v Felipe Tovar (COL)
Gustavo Pizatto (BRA) v [3] Joeri Hapers (BEL)
[4] Diego Gobbi (BRA) v Vitor Vieira (BRA)
Junior Christovam (BRA) v [7] Guilherme Melo (BRA)
[6] Edgar Ramirez Bautista (COL) v Santiago Orozco (COL)
Nicolas Serna (COL) v [2] Andres Herrera (COL)