Ponta Lagoa Brazil Open: Melo Defeats Top Seed Gobbi To Lift Title

31-year-old Guilherme Melo captured his second PSA title yesterday after he overcame compatriot and top seed Diego Gobbi to claim the Ponta Lagoa Brazil Open 2023 Challenger 3 title.

Melo last claimed a PSA title in December 2021, where he overcame Gobbi at the PAC Squash Open in four games and repeated that in Ponta Grossa to double his title tally.

Melo came through a tough 91-minute semi-final clash on Saturday but was showing no signs of fatigue as the final got underway. The pair were displaying high quality squash for the home crowd and it was Gobbi who earned the first game ball at 10-9. After failing to convert, the pair were then locked in a tense tiebreak until the No.1 seed managed to convert the game 17-15 after saving three game balls.

Melo wasn’t deterred however and stuck to his attacking, aggressive style of play to continually heap the pressure onto Gobbi. After equalising 11-7, Melo steamrolled the third game to win 11-3 and take the lead in the tie.

Melo got off to the perfect start in the fourth game as he lead 5-0 against a dejected Gobbi. Despite the top seed remaining competitive, the No.3 seed kept hold of his lead to reach match ball and converted the game 11-7 to lift the title.

Result: Ponta Lagoa Brazil Open 2023 – Final
[3] Guilherme Melo (BRA) bt [1] Diego Gobbi (BRA) 3-1: 15-17, 11-7, 11-3, 11-7 (64m)