Estoril Open 2007 News and Events

Marcelo Melo & Andre Sa
© João Lagos Sports

Brazilians Marcelo Melo and Andre Sa claimed their first career ATP team title with a 3-6, 6-2, 10-6 (Match TB) win over Argentine duo Martin Garcia and Sebastian Prieto in one hour and 12 minutes.

Garcia and Prieto cruised through the first set with three breaks of serve in 27 minutes, but Melo and Sa responded quickly opening a 4-0 lead that helped them to the second set.

The Brazilians opened up a 4-1 lead in the Match Tie-break and sealed the championship on their third point.

The 23-year-old Marcelo and Sa, who celebrated his 30th birthday today, were playing in their fifth ATP-level tournament as a pair.

They have an 8-5 career record together, since making their debut at Vina del Mar in February.

Sa improves to 2-6 in ATP finals, having captured his first career title in 2001 at Hong Kong (w/ Braasch). The victory gives Melo his maiden doubles crown.

The pair has also enjoyed success on the ATP Challenger Circuit, winning their fourth title in Bermuda three weeks ago.

Garcia and Prieto, who won the Buenos Aires title in February (d. Montanes-Ramirez Hidalgo), fall to 7-8 this year. They first made their team debut at Prague in 1999.

Garcia has a 7-11 record in ATP doubles finals, while Prieto falls to an 8-13 mark.

WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID

Melo: “I feel very good, it’s the first time I win an ATP tournament. It’s the happiest day of my life. I hope to have other days like this one with my great friend Andre.”

Sa: “I’m very happy with any title I can get. It’s a perfect week. I’m proud of Marcelo; it’s his first final so it can be not so easy to play well. But he did so from the start. We are going to enjoy this. We are going to be able to play higher-level tournaments, so we will have to improve each week and try to keep up the results.

[Winning on your birthday]: It’s a perfect day. It's a dream. To be playing in an ATP final – my last was so long ago – I’m very happy to be turning 30. It is a very special day for me.