Ferreira Silva beats back Gomez’s challenge to claim maiden Challenger crown

Portugal’s Frederico Ferreira Silva showcased his returning skills to put it across Argentine Federico Agustin Gomez 6-4, 6-7(10), 6-4 in the final to win the singles title at the Chennai Open ATP Challenger at the SDAT Tennis Stadium here on Sunday.

The opening set saw the 30-year-old Portuguese land 73% of first serves to keep the second seed Gomez off-balance. After the players exchanged breaks early, the left-handed Ferreira Silva secured the all-important break in the ninth game and then held serve to clinch the set 6-4.

The second set followed a similar pattern, with both players trading breaks early. There were no further breaks of serve. Gomez’s big serving carried him through as he saved four match-points on the way. Eight aces stood the Argentine in good stead as he won a close tie-breaker to level the final.

Ferreira Silva, ranked 255 in the world against Gomez’s 196, raised his game in the decider and raced to a 5-2 lead and was poised to put the contest to bed. The second seed, unperturbed, mounted another comeback, saving a fifth match-point and closing the gap to 4-5.

The sixth-seeded Portuguese, however, was not to be denied as he held his nerve and serve to land his maiden Challenger title.

The result: singles (final): Frederico Ferreira Silva (Por) bt Federico Agustin Gomez (Arg) 6-4, 6-7(10), 6-4.