Brazilians Rafael Matos and Marcelo Melo were secured in the semifinals of the Open River pairs tournament after defeating Portuguese Francisco Cabral and Dutch Jean-Julien Rojer by 2 sets to 0 (6/4 and 6/3), this Thursday -Lindo (20) at the Brazilian Jockey Club, in Rio de Janeiro.
Brazil in the doubles semifinal 💚💛
Melo Melo/Matos 🇧🇷 Eliminate Cabral/Rojer 6/4 6/3 and take Darderi/Navone in Semi!#RioOpen pic.twitter.com/g5dbbynj2p
– Rio Open (@rioOopenoficial) February 20, 2025
“Today was a beautiful game for us, [pois] We were able to print our game well. I using my weapons, Rafa using theirs in the best way possible. The game was tough today, we played against them last week and won 10-8 at Super Tie-Break. Today [foi] much more controllable. Playing at home in Brazil unconsciously gives more energy and I think it was a practically perfect game for us, ”said Marcelo Melo.
Now Brazilians will measure strength with Italian Luciano Darderi and Argentine Mariano Navone to seek a place in the decision of the doubles dispute of the largest tournament in South America.
“They are two very solid players in the background, they really like the clay. I think we’ll have to set up the tactic well. It will also be a different game from the first two rounds. But it will be a hard game, they are in semi by great merit, they also won two good games, ”said Rafael Matos.
