For the second year in a row Brazil will be represented at the Doubles’ final at the Rio Open presented by Claro.
Last year’s champion, Rafael Matos will be joined by Marcelo Melo this time. They will face Spaniard duo Pedro Martinez and Jaume Munar in the final, this Saturday, at Court Guga Kuerten, not before 8pm, local time.
This Friday they defeated Argentinian Mariano Navone and Luciano Darderi (ITA) by 6/7(3), 6/3 and 10/5.
It will be the third time Melo reaches the final. In the previous occasions he ended up with the second place: in 2014 playing alongside David Marrero and in 2023 when he played with Juan Sebastian Cabal.
“It's really special to get to another final here in Rio, specially because I’m playing alongside Rafa this time. Hopefully with my experience and his energy we can lift the trophy with an all-Brazilian duo this time”, said Melo, who looks to once again tie the lead for most men’s doubles titles among active players, with 39 titles.
“After wining here last year it couldn’t have been more special to reach the final alongside Marcelo this time. I always admired him and always wanted to play with him. I learn a lot with Marcelo and I’m super happy to be in this final next to him”, said Matos, first Brazilian player to win a title at the Rio Open.
Martinez and Munar, their opponent this Saturday, advanced to their first-ever final after overcoming Argentinians Maximo Gonzales and Andres Molteni by 6/4 and 6/4.
At the start of the season they reached the Australian Open’s round of 16 but lost to Italians Simone Bolelli/Andrea Vavassori.
Results - Friday, 21 February 2025
Men's Singles - Quarterfinal
[5] S. Baez (ARG) d [Q] C. Tseng (TPE) 64 61
F. Comesana (ARG) d [1] A. Zverev (GER) 46 63 64
A. Muller (FRA) d [4] F. Cerundolo (ARG) 75 61
[LL] C. Ugo Carabelli (ARG) d [LL] J. Faria (POR) 76(5) 64
Men's Doubles - Semifinal
P. Martinez (ESP)/J. Munar (ESP) d [1] M. Gonzalez (ARG)/A. Molteni (ARG) 64 64
R. Matos (BRA)/M. Melo (BRA) d L. Darderi (ITA)/M. Navone (ARG) 67(3) 63 10-5
ORDER OF PLAY - SATURDAY, 22 FEBRUARY 2025
Quadra Guga Kuerten - start 17:00
Starts At 17:00
[5] Sebastian Baez (ARG) vs [LL] Camilo Ugo Carabelli (ARG)
Francisco Comesana (ARG) vs Alexandre Muller (FRA)
Not Before 20:00
Doubles Final - Pedro Martinez (ESP) / Jaume Munar (ESP) vs Rafael Matos (BRA) / Marcelo Melo (BRA)
