Guido Pella of Argentina kisses the trophy after the men's final against Chilean Christian Garin at the Brazil Tennis Open in Sao Paulo, Brazil, March 3, 2019. Guido Pella won 2-0 to claim the title. (Xinhua/Rahel Patrasso)
SAO PAULO, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Argentina's Guido Pella claimed his first ATP tour title with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Christian Garin in the Brasil Open final on Sunday.
Pella landed 75% of his first serves in and allowed Garin to convert only one of seven break points as he prevailed in an hour and 23 minutes on the indoor clay of the Ibirapuera arena in Sao Paulo.
"I want to thank all the people who came during the week. It is not easy for an Argentinian to come to Brazil and for the local fans to support him," the 28-year-old said during the trophy presentation.
"I don't want to forget about Christian. I know what you are going through, but you'll get another chance. I want to dedicate this to my coach, my family, my girlfriend and to all the people of Argentina who always believed in me."
Ranked 48th before the ATP 250 tournament, Pella has now jumped to 34th in the world rankings.
He is the seventh player to secure his maiden ATP title this year following victories to Alex de Minaur (Sydney), Tennys Sandgren (Auckland), Juan Ignacio Londero (Cordoba), Reilly Opelka (New York), Laslo Djere (Rio de Janeiro) and Radu Albot (Delray Beach).
