The 2025 ATP 250 Santiago Open kicked off with exciting matchups, showcasing both local and international tennis talent. The opening day featured Brazilian players having success on the court, as well as the unfortunate withdrawal of another top competitor.
Thiago Wild, ranked 86th globally, is set to compete against fellow Brazilian Gustavo Heide, who currently sits at 160th, on February 24th. The match is expected to draw significant attention as both players aim to advance past the first round of the tournament. According to Bola Amarela, the match will not start before 7 PM (Brasília time) and will only be available for viewing through betting sites, as popular streaming services like Disney+ and Tennis TV are not broadcasting matches from the secondary courts.
This encounter marks the first meeting between Wild and Heide, with Wild hoping to recapture his form after struggling at the Rio Open, where he lost to Jaume Munar and dropped nearly ten rankings positions. Wild has previously tasted success at the Santiago Open, winning his only ATP title there back in 2020.
Meanwhile, Heide qualified for the tournament by overcoming two Argentine players, Genaro Olivieri and Thiago Tirante, impressing spectators with his performance. "I’m feeling good on the court and I hope to show my best tennis," Heide expressed as he prepares for the challenge.
Adding to the storyline, Rafael Matos, the 37th ranked doubles player globally, has withdrawn from the Santiago Open due to an abdominal injury sustained during his match at the Rio Open. Despite wearing bandages to manage the pain, Matos concluded he needed rest to recover properly, with plans to return for the Masters 1000 event in Miami on March 17.
On the other hand, home favorite Nicolas Jarry, who dazzled as the champion of the previous year’s Santiago Open, joined compatriot Tomas Martin Etcheverry to kick off the tournament on Sunday with engaging activities. Both players shared their love for competing at home, where local support can often spur them to greater heights. Jarry noted, "I hope to enjoy it a lot, to be able to play my best tennis round by round, then we’ll see what the future brings." Jarry and Etcheverry also indulged in traditional Chilean cuisine, including empanadas as they prepared for the challenges of the tournament.
The qualification rounds saw three Brazilian players aiming to secure places in the main draw. Felipe Meligeni and Gustavo Heide made it through, defeating Juan Pablo Varillas and Thiago Tirante, respectively. Meligeni advanced with a straight-sets victory, demonstrating superior service and consistency throughout the match. "Today, I played well and took my chances when they came," Meligeni commented following his victory, which lasted just over an hour.
Despite the success of Meligeni and Heide, fellow Brazilian Orlando Luz was unable to proceed, losing to Juan Manuel Cerundolo. This loss meant Luz could not join his compatriots, who are now advancing to face new challenges. With the main draw set to start, it already features thrilling bouts, particularly the matchup between Thiago Wild and Gustavo Heide, adding another layer of suspense to this year’s tournament.
The main draw will also provide more opportunities for Brazilian players, with Meligeni poised to take on the Argentine Francisco Comesana, and Thiago Monteiro set for his own clash against Cerundolo, the player who knocked out Luz. With this mix of local talent and international competition, the Santiago Open is shaping up to be fiercely competitive.
On the doubles side, Marcelo Demoliner and Marcelo Zormann are also partaking and expect to contest their first matches shortly. Meanwhile, Orlando Luz, teaming up with the French player Gregoire Jacq, faces off against the Portuguese Jaime Faria and Kazakh Alexander Shevchenko. Fernando Romboli is partnered with the Chilean Matias Soto to challenge the duo of Portuguese Cabral and Dutch Rojer.
The excitement surrounding the Santiago Open is palpable, as it not only highlights rising talent but also serves as a reunification of tennis enthusiasts eager to support their players. The tournament promises to deliver compelling matches and unforgettable moments as the players vie for their share of glory and prize money.
With high stakes and the promise of thrilling tennis, the 2025 ATP 250 Santiago Open will undoubtedly captivate fans both on-site and those watching from afar.