The Rio Open 2025 began with a tough loss for Brazil. São Paulo native Felipe Meligeni, one of the national representatives in the competition, could not withstand the solid game of Kazakhstan’s Alexander Shevchenko and was eliminated in the first round. The match, held on the central court of the Jockey Club Brasileiro, lasted 1 hour and 26 minutes and ended with scores of 6/4 and 6/2. The Brazilian started well, securing an early break, but could not hold the lead. Shevchenko quickly responded, taking advantage of his opponent’s mistakes to turn the game around and close the first set. In the second, the Kazakhstani’s dominance was absolute, securing his qualification for the next round.
With the victory, Shevchenko moves forward in the tournament and now awaits the matchup between Germany’s Alexander Zverev and China’s Yunchaokete Bu to determine his next opponent. Zverev, the tournament’s top seed, is one of the favorites for the title and makes his debut against Bu looking to confirm his favoritism. Meanwhile, Felipe Meligeni bids farewell to the Rio Open without advancing past the first round, disappointing the expectations of the home crowd.
The Rio Open 2025, one of the main tournaments on the South American clay circuit, attracts some of the world’s best tennis players and provides Brazilian players with the chance to compete at a high level. In addition to Meligeni, other national players are still in the competition, including João Fonseca, Thiago Monteiro, and Thiago Wild, who will debut in the coming days.
Felipe Meligeni é eliminado na primeira rodada do Rio Open 2025.https://t.co/Xgpr0bZmdu
— Diário do Tênis (@diariodotenisbr) February 17, 2025
Balanced first set but Shevchenko dominates key moments
The match started favorably for Felipe Meligeni, who showed confidence in the early games. The Brazilian managed to break Shevchenko’s serve in the third game and took an initial lead, exciting the audience at the Jockey Club Brasileiro. However, the Kazakhstani quickly responded, breaking back in the next game, leveling the score, and displaying consistency in his game.
The following games were closely contested, but Shevchenko proved to be more solid in crucial moments. The Brazilian struggled to maintain his serve, allowing more opportunities for his opponent. In the eighth game, Meligeni was broken again, and despite breaking back in the next game, he couldn’t sustain his rhythm. In the tenth game, he suffered another break that sealed the first set in favor of Shevchenko, with a score of 6/4.
Total dominance by Shevchenko in the second set
After a balanced first set, the second was entirely controlled by Shevchenko. The Kazakhstani imposed his rhythm early, winning the first three games in a row. Meligeni attempted a reaction, breaking back in the fifth game, but was unable to maintain consistency. Struggling with unforced errors and an ineffective serve, the Brazilian lost his serve again and saw Shevchenko cruise to victory without difficulty.
The Kazakhstani maintained an aggressive stance, putting pressure on Meligeni’s serve and closing the set 6/2. The Brazilian finished the match with only a 43% first-serve success rate, a low figure that hindered his performance. Meanwhile, Shevchenko, more consistent in key moments, converted 60% of his break-point opportunities and had superior performance in contested points.
Match statistics highlight Meligeni’s inconsistency
- Felipe Meligeni’s first-serve success rate: 43%
- Alexander Shevchenko’s first-serve success rate: 68%
- Break points converted by Shevchenko: 5
- Break points converted by Meligeni: 2
- Total match duration: 1h26
Alexander Shevchenko’s background and career progress
Currently ranked 103rd in the ATP rankings, Alexander Shevchenko has been gaining prominence in recent years. The 24-year-old Kazakhstani is known for his consistency from the baseline and solid performances on clay. In 2024, Shevchenko achieved his best ATP tournament results, reaching the quarterfinals in two significant events. His victory over Meligeni showcases his progress and ability to compete against experienced players on the circuit.
Felipe Meligeni and the challenges on the professional circuit
Felipe Meligeni, 26, is working to establish himself in the professional circuit. Despite some solid results in challenger tournaments and smaller events, he still struggles to make an impact in ATP-level competitions. His performance at the Rio Open highlights the need to improve his serve consistency and decision-making in critical moments. The Brazilian continues his season aiming to accumulate points and improve his world ranking.
Other Brazilian players in the Rio Open 2025 draw
Brazil still has hope in the tournament with other representatives set to debut in the coming days. The main names include:
- Thiago Monteiro: Brazil’s top-ranked player, seeking a strong campaign to climb the rankings.
- João Fonseca: A young Brazilian prospect making his main-draw debut at the Rio Open.
- Thiago Wild: Known for his aggressive game, looking to surprise in the tournament.
Favorites for the Rio Open 2025 title
The Rio Open attracts some of the world’s top tennis players, and this year’s edition features notable competitors. The main title contenders include:
- Alexander Zverev (Germany): The world No. 2 and tournament’s top seed.
- Holger Rune (Denmark): A young talent aiming for his first ATP 500 title.
- Lorenzo Musetti (Italy): A clay-court specialist and strong candidate for the trophy.
History of the Rio Open and its impact on South American tennis
The Rio Open is the largest tennis tournament in South America and part of the ATP 500 circuit. Since its inception in 2014, the event has hosted some of the biggest names in tennis, including Rafael Nadal, Dominic Thiem, and Carlos Alcaraz. Its significance in the South American calendar stands out for offering valuable ranking points and providing experience for regional players.
Upcoming matches and tournament expectations
With the first round underway, attention now turns to upcoming matches. The clash between Alexander Zverev and Yunchaokete Bu is highly anticipated, as it could determine Shevchenko’s second-round opponent. Additionally, Brazilian players still in the draw will seek to advance and keep the dream of a home-country title alive.
