Thiago Wild Triumphs in Thrilling Opener at Rio Open
Brazilian Thiago Wild concluded the opening day of the main draw at the Rio Open presented by Claro with a remarkable triumph, marking his second victory in South America's premier tournament and his first of the season, following a spirited comeback that ignited the crowd at Quadra Guga Kuerten, within the confines of the Brazilian Jockey Club.
Facing off against Chilean Alejandro Tabilo, Wild found himself dropping the first set, conceding two service breaks. However, he mounted a formidable response in the ensuing sets, showcasing resilience during critical junctures to clinch yet another win at the ATP 500 event in Rio. Ultimately, he emerged victorious with a scoreline of 2/6, 6/4, and 6/4 after a grueling 2 hours and 15 minutes on the court. Wild attributed his success to the unwavering support of the Brazilian spectators.
"I owe this victory to everyone who cheered me on. Admittedly, I didn't start the match as strongly as I could have. Yet, I found my rhythm in the second set, despite its challenging beginning. Drawing upon the energy of the crowd, I managed to stay composed and secure the win. This triumph holds immense significance for me, not only for my confidence but also for my overall game," he expressed.
Ranked as Brazil's top player in the ATP standings, Wild is poised to square off against Spaniard Jaume Munar in the second round. Munar caused an upset by defeating the tournament's 8th seed, Austrian Sebastian Ofner, with a scoreline of 6/3 and 6/1. While Munar holds a favorable head-to-head record against Wild, winning all three prior encounters, the Brazilian remains undeterred, emphasizing that past statistics hold no sway once they step onto the court.
"Every match is a new challenge. Just like with Tabilo, I had previously suffered defeats, but that's inconsequential. There's always a first time, and I'm hopeful it will be here in Rio. This tournament holds a special place in my heart, and I'm committed to taking it one game at a time, staying focused, and progressing with each passing day," he concluded.