Pablo Cuevas has backed up his upset win over Rafael Nadal in the semifinals, with a 6-4, 6-7, 6-4 win over Guido Pella in the final of the Rio Open.
The win gave Cuevas his fourth ATP title, as he took home US$303,300 in prize money.
Players were forced off at three all in the first set due to rain, resulting in a three and a half hour rain delay. When play finally resumed, Cuevas grabbed the first break of the match at 4-4, before holding serve to take out the opening set.
Pella grabbed the second set in a tiebreak, despite Cuevas having the match on his racquet at 5-4 in the tiebreak. However, Pella reeled of three points in a row to take the match to a third and deciding set.
In the final set, Cuevas claimed the decisive break of serve at 5-4 to take out the title in a thrilling final.
