Rafael Matos and Nicolas Barrientos Make History with First Brazilian Victory in Rio Open Doubles Finals

In the greenest and yellowest edition of the Rio Open, Rafael Matos and Colombian Nicolas Barrientos achieved a historic victory for Brazil against the Austrian duo Lucas Miedler and Alexander Erler. The players closed the battle in 2 sets to 0, partials of 6/4 and 6/3, on Sunday afternoon. It is the country’s first title in the competition, in six finals with Brazilians.

1 of 4 Rafa Matos and Nicolas Barrientos with the Rio Open 2024 trophy — Photo: fotojump Rafa Matos and Nicolas Barrientos with the Rio Open 2024 trophy — Photo: fotojump

– Playing at home is incredible. Play with the whole crowd. The energy these guys have is inexplicable. This tournament, the whole organization, everything. We played well, a tense game, always, but I think we did well with our emotions and managed to do what we wanted – celebrated Rafa.

2 of 4 Rafa Matos and Barrientos celebrate a point in the Rio Open final — Photo: ©Fotojump Rafa Matos and Barrientos celebrate a point in the Rio Open final — Photo: ©Fotojump

Matos and Barrientos had a comeback campaign during the competition. In the round of 16, they beat the Brazilian Marcelo Melo and the Dutchman Matwe Middelkoop, by 2 sets to 1. Then, they beat the Italians Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori by 2 sets to 1, Marcelo Melo and the Dutchman Matwe Middelkoop by two sets to one.

3 of 4 Rafael Matos is the Rio Open champion in doubles — Photo: FotoJump / Rio Open Rafael Matos is the Rio Open champion in doubles — Photo: FotoJump / Rio Open

First victory in 6 Brazilian finals

This was the fifth time that a Brazilian reached the doubles finals of the biggest tournament in South America. In the opening edition of the Rio Open, in 2014, Marcelo Melo competed in the stage alongside Spaniard David Marrero, but finished runner-up. In 2019, the 100% national team, Thomaz Belucci and Rogerio Silva, known as Rogerinho, also reached the final, but failed to win the dream trophy.

In 2022, it was the turn of Bruno Soares, honored in this year’s edition, to reach the final stage of the championship, with the British Jamie Murray. Finally, in 2023, Marcelo Melo went to the final again, but came in second place, alongside Colombian Juan Sebastián Cabal.

Barrientos and Matos are one game away from the Rio Open title! They confirm the serve and make it 5-3 in the second final set of doubles!

In women’s competitions, in 2015, when the tournament had the participation of women, Bia Haddad and Teliana Pereira reached the doubles semifinals, but were eliminated by Ysaline Bonaventure and Sweden’s Rebecca Peterson, champions of the edition.

The Austrian duo started the game well and managed to open a game lead. However, Rafa and Barrientos managed to break their opponents’ serve and reached 5/1 in less than 40 minutes of play. Erdler and Miedler confirmed the game and reacted in the match, making the match sweaty for Matos and his partner, reaching an exciting 5/4 split. The Brazilian and Colombian duo served to close the set and came out ahead on the scoreboard.

The first set of the Rio Open final belongs to the Barrientos/Matos duo! Colombian and Brazilian close at 6-4

Rafa Matos and Barrientos started the second set already breaking the Austrians’ serve. The Brazilian’s duo took off and reached 3-0 with two breaks of advantage. In the fourth game, Lucas and Alexander reacted, but Barrientos sent a beautiful ace. With a double fault committed by the Colombian, the Austrians returned the break in the game.

4 of 4 Rafael Matos and Barrientos hug after title at Rio Open — Photo: FotoJump / Rio Open Rafael Matos and Barrientos hug after title at Rio Open — Photo: FotoJump / Rio Open

Rafa had difficulty returning serves and his opponents and the other pair took advantage of the moment to close out three more games. Still, the Brazilian and the Colombian fought back and closed the game at 6/3, in 2 sets to 0, guaranteeing the country’s first victory in the tournament.

2024-02-25 19:51:55
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