Oliveira Wins First-Ever ITF Professional TitleOliveira Wins First-Ever ITF Professional Title
Edward Finan

Oliveira Wins First-Ever ITF Professional Title

by Franki Noble

ORLANDO – As just a sophomore, Nicolas Oliveira has secured his first ever ITF Professional Tournament win, taking home the crown at the M15 Ribeirao Preto this past weekend.

With the win, Oliveira becomes one of two athletes on the current roster to win an ITF pro-tournament, following in the likes of captain Yassine Dlimi who secured the M15 Casablanca title in 2023.

“We are incredibly proud of the progress Nico has made over the past year. Winning a pro title is a major milestone, and it reflects the tremendous growth we have seen in him both mentally and physically. He has done an outstanding job, and we are genuinely excited to see what the next few years hold for him”

Lloyd Bruce-BurgessUCF Men's Tennis Head Coach

Oliviera played the first, second and third seeds in the tournament, beginning with the No. 1 seed in Morrocco’s Reda Bennani in the first round. Oliveira was able to advance with a two-set win of 6-2, 7-6 against the Moroccan foe who claims an ATP singles ranking of No. 659. The second round saw a similar result in a straight set win against fellow Brazilian Tomas Dummer Macedo 6-4, 6-3.

The quarterfinals saw fierce competition as Oliviera fought his way into the semifinals in a tiebreak victory against Ryan Augusto dos Santos, 6-3, 7-6.

“I knew it would be a great challenge, and I was focused on doing everything I had under my control, and I trusted that the results would come consequently. I faced adversity and tough moments in every round. It was mentally and physically challenging, but I kept the right mindset and stayed resilient through all of it. I’m sure that was the key to getting through every hard situation I faced,” Oliveira said.

In the semifinals, Oliveira squared off against the No. 3 seed, Joao Victor Couto Loureiro, who came into the tournament ranked No. 905 in the ATP singles standings. The all-Brazilian clash stretched across three sets, with Oliveira rallying back after dropping the opener to secure a hard-fought victory, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1, and book his spot in the title match.

In the final, Oliveira faced the tournament’s No. 2 seed, Jose Pereira, with the prospect of his first professional title hanging in the balance. With everything on the line, Oliveira rose to the occasion, battling through three intense sets to capture the crown. His 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 triumph not only sealed the victory but also marked a defining milestone in his career.

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“Playing for UCF and experiencing college life gives me a different perspective. It accelerates my development as both a player and a person, and it prepares me in the best possible way for a professional career. It also gives me the opportunity to represent the school with my teammates and to face situations that help us grow and get ready for professional life.”

Nicolas OliveiraOn How Playing at UCF Has Affected His Play

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