EC Pinheiros Open SF: Melo and Enriquez Come Through Battles

The final of the Esporte Clube Pinheiros Open will see Brazilian Guilherme Melo and Guatemalan No.1 Josue Enriquez go head-to-head for the title, after the pair both came through five-game battles in their respective last four clashes in Sao Paulo on Saturday evening.

Melo, the tournament’s top seed, came up against Alejandro Enriquez in his semi-final, and he found himself two games behind after the Guatemalan got off to a flying start in the match. The Brazilian fought back to win the third with ease, before then having to save match balls in the fourth, going on to take it 15-13. Melo went on to then win the deciding game 11-5 to book his place in the final after 86 minutes of play.

He will now face another Guatemalan, in Josue Enriquez, after the tournament’s No.3 seed overcame No.2 seed Diego Gobbi in a five-game battle. After winning the first on a tie-break 13-11, Enriquez then doubled his advantage pretty quickly. However, the Brazilian fought back to win the next two games and send the match into a fifth. The No.3 seed recovered and regrouped, winning the fifth 11-8 to advance to the final.

The final of the Esporte Clube Pinheiros Open will take place on Sunday, May 15, with Guilherme Melo and Josue Enriquez doing battle for the Challenger 5 level crown in Sao Paulo.

Semi-Final Results: Esporte Clube Pinheiros Open
[1] Guilherme Melo (BRA) bt [4] Alejandro Enriquez (GUA) 3-2: 8-11, 9-11, 11-4, 15-13, 11-5 (86m)
[3] Josue Enriquez (GUA) bt [2] Diego Gobbi (BRA) 3-2: 13-11, 11-3, 9-11, 3-11, 11-8 (68m)

Final Draw: To Be Played Sunday, May 15
[1] Guilherme Melo (BRA) v [3] Josue Enriquez (GUA)