Ponta Lagoa Brazil Open: Melo Comes Through Brutal Clash To Set Up All-Brazil Final

Brazilian duo Diego Gobbi and Guilherme Melo came through contrasting semi-final matches yesterday at the Ponta Lagoa Brazil Open to take their places in the Challenger 3 final on home soil.

Top seed Gobbi was first to secure his place in the final after he recorded a comprehensive straight games victory over compatriot and No.4 sed Rhuan Sousa. The lower seed was restricted to just 11 points across the three games with play lasting just 21 minutes.

In contrast, No.3 seed Guilherme Melo was involved in a battle with No.2 seed Francesco Marcantonio as the Paraguayan looked to spoil the all-Brazil party. Every game was tight an hard fought with neither player giving anything away cheaply. Both players held game balls but it was Melo who eventually closed it out 13-11.

Marcantonio looked to have found his form in game two however as he ran out to a 10-3 lead in no time and looked sure to close the game out. Melo started to come back at the Paraguayan however an just kept clawing points back. He incredibly won the next eight points to give himself a game ball for a 2-0 lead. Melo couldn’t convert on that occasion then had to save a further three game balls, making it 11 saved in total, before winning the 26 minute game 16-14.

Despite Marcantonio clawing a game back, Melo stuck to his task and closed out another tiebreak in the fourth game 12-10 to book his place in the final after 91 minutes of play.

Draw: Ponta Lagoa Brazil Open – Semi-Finals
[1] Diego Gobbi (BRA) bt [4] Rhuan Sousa (BRA) 3-0: 11-3, 11-4, 11-4 (21m)
[3] Guilherme Melo (BRA) bt [2] Francesco Marcantonio (PAR) 3-1: 13-11, 16-14, 8-11, 12-10 (91m)

Draw: Ponta Lagoa Brazil Open – Final
[1] Diego Gobbi (BRA) v [3] Guilherme Melo (BRA)