Rafael Matos became the first Brazilian in ten years of Rio Open's history to capture the doubles or singles title.
Playing alongside Colombian Nicolas Barrientos, they defeated Austrian duo Alexander Erler and Lucas Miedler by 6/4 and 6/3 to become champions at Jockey Club Brasileiro this Sunday.
“It's such an honor to become the first Brazilian to win here in Rio. It’s very, very special. This 10th edition definitely deserved a local champion”, said Matos, 28, after winning his first ATP 500 title. It was also his first since the triumph in Sofia-22, when he played alongside Vega Hernandes. "I could not have asked to win my first 500 anywhere else."
Before this Sunday afternoon, Brasil was 0-4 in doubles’ finals in Rio.
Matos and Barrientos first teamed up in Brisbane, at the start of the year. Since then they won 11 matches and lost 5. Last week in Buenos Aires they played their first ATP Tour semifinal.
“It was indescribable to play with such an atmosphere. It was my first time playing here in Rio and I want to come back here every year until I retire”, said Barrientos, 36, who became the first Colombian to win the tittle in Rio since Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah won 2014 and 2016 titles.
It was Barrientos first ATP title. Matos, who won the mixed doubles’ title at the 2023 Australian Open has seven titles in his career.
Playing alongside Colombian Nicolas Barrientos, they defeated Austrian duo Alexander Erler and Lucas Miedler by 6/4 and 6/3 to become champions at Jockey Club Brasileiro this Sunday.
“It's such an honor to become the first Brazilian to win here in Rio. It’s very, very special. This 10th edition definitely deserved a local champion”, said Matos, 28, after winning his first ATP 500 title. It was also his first since the triumph in Sofia-22, when he played alongside Vega Hernandes. "I could not have asked to win my first 500 anywhere else."
Before this Sunday afternoon, Brasil was 0-4 in doubles’ finals in Rio.
Matos and Barrientos first teamed up in Brisbane, at the start of the year. Since then they won 11 matches and lost 5. Last week in Buenos Aires they played their first ATP Tour semifinal.
“It was indescribable to play with such an atmosphere. It was my first time playing here in Rio and I want to come back here every year until I retire”, said Barrientos, 36, who became the first Colombian to win the tittle in Rio since Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah won 2014 and 2016 titles.
It was Barrientos first ATP title. Matos, who won the mixed doubles’ title at the 2023 Australian Open has seven titles in his career.
