Rome: 29-year-old Brazilian qualifier Monteiro through to last 16 at ATP Masters for first time

Monteiro is the first player from Brazil to make the last 16 at an ATP Masters 1000 event snice 2016

Thiago Monteiro, Rome 2024 Image Credit: Zuma / Panoramic

Haresh Ramchandani

May 12, 2024

Internazionali BNL d'Italia •Third round • completed

See draw

T. MonteirovsM. Kecmanovic

Brazilian qualifier Thiago Monteiro edged out Serb Miomir Kecmanovic 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (6) to move into the last 16 of the Rome Masters at the Foro Italico in Roma on Sunday.

This is the first time that the 29-year-old Brazilian has advanced to the last 16 at an ATP Masters 1000 Series event. He also reached the third round in Madrid earlier this month, which was his best performance at any ATP Masters event until this week.

Monstro Monteiro 💪🇧🇷

Qualifier @dThiagoMonteiro defeats Kecmanovic 6-2 4-6 7-6 and becomes the FIRST Brazilian to reach an ATP Masters 1000 Round 16 since 2016! 🇧🇷#IBI24 pic.twitter.com/O9eCMKiXre
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 12, 2024

Monteiro saved a match point late in the third set tiebreaker, coming from 5-6 down to win three points in a row to claim the victory. He also becomes the first player from Brazil to reach an ATP Masters 1000 round of 16 since 2016.

Monteiro, ranked No 106, will face the winner of the match between American Ben Shelton, the No 12 seed, and Chinese Zhizhen Zhang next.

Thiago Monteiro in Madrid and Rome this year

✅Pouille
✅Albot
✅Lajovic
✅Tsitsipas
❌Lehecka
✅Oradini
✅Moutet
✅Monfils
✅Thompson
✅Kecmanovic pic.twitter.com/QqwjMILTSS
— Mario Boccardi (@marioboc17) May 12, 2024

Ahead of his victory, the Brazilian beat Frenchman Gael Monfils (6-2, 7-5) and Australian Jordan Thompson, the No 32 seed (6-1, 6-3).

Kecmanovic, ranked No 58, won against American qualifier Brandon Nakashima (6-4, 6-4) and edged out Norwegian Casper Ruud, the No 5 seed (0-6, 6-4, 6-4) in the previous rounds of the Italian Open.

Rome Masters 1000, other third-round results (Foro Italico, clay, EUR 7,877,020):