Portugal’s second and third-ranked male tennis players, Jaime Faria and Henrique Rocha, experienced early exits in international Challenger tournaments on Monday, highlighting ongoing challenges for the nation’s rising talents.
Faria, ranked 151st globally, was eliminated in the first round of the Bratislava Challenger in Slovakia. He lost to American Mackenzie McDonald, ranked 108th, with scores of 6-3, 7-6(6).
Meanwhile, Rocha, world number 162, faced defeat in the first round of the Seoul Challenger in South Korea. He fell to Britain’s Oliver Crawford, ranked 189th, in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4.
Both players are described as continuing to endure difficult periods in their professional tennis careers.
In contrast, Pedro Araújo secured his sixth career doubles title at the ITF M25 Beloura tournament. Partnering with Spain’s Rafa Izquierdo, they defeated Portuguese compatriots João Graça and Tiago Torres in the final. The winning score was 6-0, 7-6(4).