Brazilian top player Thiago Seyboth Wild became this Thursday the first local player to reach the quarterfinals of the Rio Open presented by Claro in seven years.
Last Brazilian to go that deep in the tournament was Thiago Monteiro, who lost his match in 2017 to then rising star Casper Ruud.
Wild defeated Spaniard Jaume Munar in three sets in a rain-interrupted match by 6/2, 4/6 and 6/3.
"It's always tough when you play in two different days. I started really well yesterday and today he came out with more energy and I was a bit more nervous. But I’m really happy with the win and being for the first time at an ATP 500 quarterfinal”, said Wild, 23.
As one of the second round matches is between two Brazilians (Fernando Meligeni Alves x Monteiro), this will be the first time that multiple local players reach the quarters in Rio. It is also the first time that it happens in an ATP Tour event since 2020 Santiago.
Wild will now face the winner of the clash between reigning champion Cameron Norrie and Chilean Tomas Barrios Vera. “It's gonna be a tough one no matter who I face. At this stage of the tournament you cannot pick your rivals.”
Last Brazilian to go that deep in the tournament was Thiago Monteiro, who lost his match in 2017 to then rising star Casper Ruud.
Wild defeated Spaniard Jaume Munar in three sets in a rain-interrupted match by 6/2, 4/6 and 6/3.
"It's always tough when you play in two different days. I started really well yesterday and today he came out with more energy and I was a bit more nervous. But I’m really happy with the win and being for the first time at an ATP 500 quarterfinal”, said Wild, 23.
As one of the second round matches is between two Brazilians (Fernando Meligeni Alves x Monteiro), this will be the first time that multiple local players reach the quarters in Rio. It is also the first time that it happens in an ATP Tour event since 2020 Santiago.
Wild will now face the winner of the clash between reigning champion Cameron Norrie and Chilean Tomas Barrios Vera. “It's gonna be a tough one no matter who I face. At this stage of the tournament you cannot pick your rivals.”
