GUIDO PELLA LOSES IN THE FINALS OF RIO TO PABLO CUEVAS, WHO WINS HIS 4TH ATP TITLE

Written by: Staff on 22nd February 2016

GUIDO PELLA LOSES IN THE FINALS OF RIO TO PABLO CUEVAS, WHO WINS HIS 4TH ATP TITLE

epa05174689 Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas celebrates with the trophy after winning the Rio Open tennis tournament 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 21 February 2016. EPA/FERNANDO MAIA |

Pablo Cuevas won his first ATP World Tour 500 title early Monday morning, dodging rain drops to defeat a dogged Guido Pella 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-4 in the final of the Rio Open presented by Claro.

Spanish Rafael Nadal in action against Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas during a Rio Open 2016 semi-final tennis match in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 20 February 2016. EPA/Fernando Maia

Toppling Rafael Nadal seems to be the blueprint to winning a clay-court title in 2016, after Cuevas sprung the upset in Saturday’s semi-finals and Dominic Thiem did so en route to the Buenos Aires crown a week ago. It was the 30-year-old’s fourth ATP World Tour title overall and first since lifting the Sao Paulo trophy exactly one year ago. Cuevas, who became the first player in history to oust five straight left-handed opponents in clinching a tour-level title, takes home $303,300 in prize money and 500 Emirates ATP Rankings points.

“I’m very happy to win my first 500 title, especially after winning a special semi-final against one of the greatest players ever on clay (Nadal),” said Cuevas. “Today, against Guido, I won a difficult but good match between the two of us. I really love my time in Brazil, not only when I’m on court. I enjoy it when I play here.

“Guido is a very complete player. He had a great week here. I have nothing but nice words to say about him.”

A big opportunity awaited both players in the final, but the weather would not cooperate in the early stages. After letting two break points slip in the fourth game, Pella edged ahead at 3-3 30/0 when the skies closed above the Jockey Club Brasiliero. A three-and-a-half hour rain delay would ensue, leaving both players to reassess their strategies in the locker room.

Upon resumption of play, it was Cuevas who would draw first blood, showing great discipline from the baseline in snatching the first break for 5-4. He would close out the set a game later. Cuevas was ruthlessly efficient on serve throughout the encounter and even steadier when engaged in extended rallies from the back of the court. The second set would end in a tie-break, where the Uruguayan had the match on his racquet, serving with a 5-4 lead. But Pella would reel off three straight points to force a decider and send the match past midnight.

In the third set, they remained on serve until the 10th game, where Cuevas pounced, claiming victory on his first match point when a Pella forehand found the net. He fired 14 aces and 29 winners in total, converting two of three break chances to prevail after two hours and 15 minutes on court.

Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas celebrates after winning the Rio Open tennis tournament 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 21 February 2016. EPA/FERNANDO MAIA

The battle of unseeded players was the first in a 500 level final since Valencia 2011, when Marcel Granollers beat Juan Monaco. With the win, World No. 45 Cuevas became the lowest-ranked champion at an ATP World Tour 500 event since 46th-ranked Leonardo Mayer won in Hamburg in 2014.

Pella, meanwhile, was bidding to claim his first ATP World Tour title in his first final. The Argentine, who saved three match points in his opening encounter against John Isner, vaults to a career-high Top 50 spot in the Emirates ATP Rankings despite the loss.

“It’s been a great week,” said Pella. “Now, I have to get used to being in the Top 50 for the first time. It’s big, but I need to continue to focus and work hard.”

( Courtesy of the ATP and Original Link – http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/rio-2016-final-cuevas-pella )

Rio Open Presented By Claro

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

RESULTS – SUNDAY, 21 FEBRUARY 2016

Singles – Final

P. Cuevas (URU) d G. Pella (ARG) 64 67(5) 64

Doubles – Final

[2] J. Cabal (COL) / R. Farah (COL) d [Q] P. Carreno Busta (ESP) / D. Marrero (ESP) 76(5) 61

CUEVAS DENIES PELLA FOR RIO CROWN, COLOMBIAN POWER RECLAIM TITLE

• Pablo Cuevas dodged rain drops in defeating a dogged Guido Pella for his first ATP World Tour 500 title.

• The Uruguayan, who upset Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals, claimed his fourth ATP World Tour title overall after a 3.5-hour rain delay halted play in the first set.

• Cuevas is the first player to win a tour-level crown without facing a right-handed opponent. He defeated five straight lefties en route to the title.

• Pella was bidding to claim his first ATP World Tour title in his first final.

• Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah won their second Rio de Janeiro crown in three years, overcoming six of seven break points in Sunday’s final.

• The second-seeded Colombians captured their sixth ATP World Tour team title and second in as many weeks, having triumphed in Buenos Aires.

WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID

Cuevas: “I’m very happy to win my first 500 title, especially after winning a special semi-final against one of the greatest players ever on clay (Nadal). Today, against Guido, I won a difficult but good match between the two of us. I really love my time in Brazil, not only when I’m on court. I enjoy it when I play here.

“Guido is a very complete player. He had a great week here. I have nothing but nice words to say about him.”

Pella: “It’s been a great week. Now, I have to get used to being in the Top 50 for the first time. It’s big, but I need to continue to focus and work hard.”

Cabal: “This is the result of a lot of work and sacrifice and many hours on court. We’ve had the same mentality in each match and we’re happy to finish the job this week. Now it’s time to rest and then look ahead to the next tournament.”

Farah: “We are very happy to win in Rio and play in such a great tournament. We started the swing winning in Buenos Aires and now in Rio we played our best tennis. We have to give thanks to the fans for always supporting this team and pushing us all week. We’re very happy.”

Topics: Atp World Tour, Guido Pella, Pablo Cuevas, Rafael Nadal, Rio Open, Sports, Tennis News