The 60st Fla-Gávea Doubles Tournament got off to a flying start last Saturday. Before the games began, a tribute was paid to our great friend Jorge Clarindo de Oliveira, affectionately known by everyone as "Foca." There were some great matches in the First Class, Second Class, and Women's categories. The XNUMX+ category begins next Friday. 

Early on, João Gabriel and Lucas Fuly defeated Eloadir Rocha and Zaca Monster in a high-level match on court one. João and Lucas were eliminated in the next round, but they delighted the fans with some great plays. It was João Gabriel's (String Delivery) first tournament victory after a long drought. The talented left-hander praised the organization and said it had lifted a huge weight off his shoulders. 

A little later, Genil Mazza and Matheus Arrieta faced Eduardo Billy and Raphael Maia, also in the first class. The match drew the crowd to court two and was fiercely contested. Genil and Matheus ultimately won the match 6-4, 5-7, and 10-8. In the next round, Genil and Matheus lost to Bruno Lapolli and Guilherme Calmon.

One of Sunday's highlights was the second-class match between Brazilians Charbel Capaz and João Salloum and Japanese players Manabu Kume and Shunji Komai. Despite the overwhelming crowd, the Japanese showed great class and prevailed 6-3, 6-4. Manabu and Shunji are through to the quarterfinals.

Another standout duo of the tournament was Andrea Melo and Patricia Fernandes. They've lost only three games so far and face Claudia Hernandez and Luana Carvalho in the final. Tito Sarnícola and Luiz Rafter confirmed their favoritism, giving their opponents little chance and reaching the first-class semifinals.

To close out the weekend, another thrilling match in the first class. Gustavo Carvalho and Rafael Lisboa defeated Filipe Maron and Gabriel Figueira 7-6, 6-4. Gustavo and Rafael now face Bernardo Matz and Conrado Rech in the semifinals. Bernardo and Conrado are in great form and have had a great tournament so far.

In addition to the big games, members were able to participate in a tasting at Cervejaria Ferdinander, receive care from RJ Fisioterapia and take a bioimpedance test offered by Clínica MedSculp.

Matches resume this Friday and the tournament ends on Sunday.

Check out the schedule for this Friday (21/04)

First class

11:00h Gustavo Carvalho / Rafael Lisboa x Bernardo Matz / Conrado Rech

15:00h Tito Sarnicola / Luiz Rafter Moreira x Bruno Lapolli / Guilherme Calmon

Second class

10:30h Mario Dale / Diego Ruiz x Rafa Grandi / Fernando Carrano

10:30am Rafael Cunha / Renato Coutinho x Julio Junior / Marcelo Oliveira

12:00h Manabu Kume / Shunji Komai x Alexei Bernacchi / Arthur Gruenbaum

12:00h Fernando Fonseca / Savio Andrade x Rafael Nicodemos / Vespasiano Galeno

60+

10:30h Marcelo Brasil / Roberto Lima x Jean-louis Billy / Ricardo Hoffmann

Women's Category

13:30 PM Claudia Hernandez / Luana Carvalho x Andrea Melo / Patricia Fernandes