PRESENTED BY CLARO: DAY 3 MEDIA NOTES Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Jockey Club Brasileiro, , | February 15 – 21, 2016 Draw: S-32, D-16 | Prize Money: $1,471,315| Surface: Clay

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FERRER, TSONGA, THIEM FEATURED ON WEDNESDAY

DAY 3 PREVIEW: Defending champion , Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and are featured on Wednesday at the Rio Open.

In the opening match on Quadra Guga Kuerten, 21-year-old Brazilian wild card makes his ATP World Tour debut against the French No. 3 seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Last week the World No. 9 Tsonga kicked off his Latin America debut by reaching the quarter-finals at (l. to Almagro).

In the second match on, Austrian No. 5 seed Thiem looks to extend his current 6-match winning streak alive when he squares off against the Argentine (Thiem leads 1-0). The 22-year- old Austrian is coming off his fourth career ATP World Tour title in Buenos Aires, where he defeated in the semi-finals before overcoming Nicolas Almagro in the final. The 23-year-old Schwartzman is looking to reach his second career ATP World Tour quarter-final and first since reaching his maiden semi-final at Istanbul (l. to Federer) last May.

Following the Spanish No. 2 seed Ferrer brings a 5-0 -to-head advantage over his countryman Albert Ramos-Vinolas. The World No. 6 Ferrer is looking to reach his fourth ATP World Tour quarter- final of the year. Last week he reached his second ATP World Tour semi-final of the year at Buenos Aires (l. to Almagro). The 28-year-old Ramos-Vinolas is looking for just his second career win over a Top 10 opponent (1-16 record). His lone win came over No. 3 last October at ATP Masters 1000 Shanghai.

The final match on Quadra Guga Kuerten is a first-time meeting between Colombian and Argentinian . The 28-year-old Giraldo is the only Colombian ranked to in the Top 100 Emirates ATP Rankings, while the 25-year-old Pella is one of five Argentinians ranked in the Top 100. Both players are attempting to reach their first ATP World Tour quarter-final of the year.

On Quadra 1 Italian No.7 seed brings a 3-1 advantage of the Spanish qualifier Daniel Gimeno-Traver.

DAY 3 FEDEX ATP HEAD 2 HEADS – In Order of Play by Court

Quadra Guga Kuerten

[3] Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) vs [WC] Thiago Monteiro (BRA) First Meeting

Tsonga FastFacts: 2016 Highlights: SF: (l Bautista Agut); QF: Buenos Aires (l Almagro) YTD W-L: 6-3 (1-1 on clay) YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 12 Date of Birth: April 17, 1985 Emirates ATP Ranking: 9 Rio de Janeiro W-L (Best Result-Year): Debut

 The 30-year-old is making his tournament debut  Last week reached 2nd ATP World Tour QF of the year and first on clay at Buenos Aires (l. to Almagro)

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 The top ranked Frenchman is one of six Frenchmen ranked in the Top 30 Emirates ATP Rankings (joined by: No. 10 Gasquet, No. 15 Simon, No. 16 Monfils, No. 22 Paire and No. 30 Chardy)  Opened season by reaching the SF at Auckland (l. to Bautista Agut) and reached 4R at (l.to Nishikori)  In 2015, Frenchman finished in Top 10 for 6th time in 8 seasons (all but 2010 and 2014). Also won 30+ matches and ended in Top 15 for 8th straight season  Missed 1st 11 weeks with an arm injury before season debut at ATP Masters 1000 Miami in March  Career 70-39 record on clay and looking to reach first final

Monteiro FastFacts: 2016 Highlights: YTD W-L: 0-0 YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0 Date of Birth: May 31, 1994 Emirates ATP Ranking: 338 Rio de Janeiro W-L (Best Result-Year): Debut

 The 21-year-old left-hander is making his ATP World Tour debut  In Challenger action reached SF at Rio de Janeiro (l. to Bagnis) and QF at Mendoza, ARG (l. to Melzer) last month  Has a career 27-37 record (5-2 in 2016) in Challengers and has never reached a final  Has a career 86-50 record in Futures with five titles in eight finals

[5] Dominic Thiem (AUT) vs Diego Schwartzman (ARG) Thiem Leads 1-0 15 ATP Masters 1000 Miami (U.S.A.) Hard R128 Dominic Thiem 7-6(0) 7-5

Thiem FastFacts: 2016 Highlights: W: Buenos Aires (d Almagro); SF: Brisbane (l Federer) YTD W-L: 11-3 (6-0 on clay) YTD Titles: 1 / Career Titles: 4 Date of Birth: September 3, 1993 Emirates ATP Ranking: 19 Rio de Janeiro W-L (Best Result-Year): 1-0 (2R 2016)

 The 22-year-old, who is the youngest player (22) in the Top 20 Emirates ATP Ranking, defeated Pablo Andujar in his tournament debut on Tuesday  Last week captured 4th career ATP World Tour title at Buenos Aires (d. Nadal in SF, d. Almagro). With win over Nadal became the first player aged 22-under to beat Nadal on clay since Igor Andreev in Valencia 2005  Looking to reach 3rd ATP World Tour QF of the year  Opened year by reaching SF at Brisbane (d. Cilic in QF, l. to Federer), ret. down 76(2) 22 in 2R at Sydney (l. to Muller) due to blisters, fell in 3R at Australian Open (l. to Goffin)  In 2015, Austrian improved his year-end Emirates ATP Ranking for 5th straight season and finished as youngest player in Top 20  Achieved career-high No. 18 on August 10 after reaching SF at Kitzbühel  Captured 1st 3 ATP World Tour titles of career -- all on clay: Nice (d. L. Mayer 76 in 3rd), Umag (d. Sousa) and Gstaad (d. Goffin)  Won career-high 36 matches (previous-best was 22 in 2014)  Career 2-10 record vs Top 10 opponents (2-6 vs Top 5), prior to win over No. 5 Rafael Nadal had lost 8 against Top 10 foes, previous win was over No. 3 Wawrinka at 2014 Madrid as a qualifier

Schwartzman FastFacts: 2016 Highlights: YTD W-L: 2-2 (2-1 on clay) YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0 Date of Birth: August 16, 1992 Emirates ATP Ranking: 90 Rio de Janeiro W-L (Best Result-Year): 1-1 (2R 2016)

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 The 23-year-old advanced to the 2R here for the first time with a 63 62 win over Joao Souza. In tournament main draw debut last year fell in the 1R (l. to Delbonis ret in 3-set)  Looking to reach 2nd career ATP World Tour QF and first since reaching maiden SF at Istanbul (l. to Federer) last year  Last week reach 2R at Buenos Aires (l. to Lorenzi)  In only other tour-level event of year ret. in 1R at Australian Open (l. to Millman)  In 2015, Argentine finished in Top 100 of Emirates ATP Rankings for 2nd straight season  Achieved a career-high ranking of No. 57 on May 4 after advancing to Istanbul SF (l. to No. 2 Federer 75 in 3rd)

Albert Ramos-Vinolas (ESP) vs [2] David Ferrer (ESP) Ferrer Leads 5-0 12 Valencia (Spain) Hard R16 David Ferrer 6-4 6-2 14 Buenos Aires () Clay QF David Ferrer 6-1 6-2 14 ATP Masters 1000 Madrid (Spain) Clay R32 David Ferrer 7-6(6) 5-7 6-3 15 ATP Masters 1000 Madrid (Spain) Clay R32 David Ferrer 6-4 6-0 15 Vienna (Austria) Hard R32 David Ferrer 1-6 6-3 6-4

Ramos-Vinolas FastFacts: 2016 Highlights: SF: Quito (l Estrella Burgos) YTD W-L: 5-5 (4-2 on clay) YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0 Date of Birth: January 17, 1988 Emirates ATP Ranking: 47 Rio de Janeiro W-L (Best Result-Year): 2-2 (2R 2014, ‘16)

 The 28-year-old advanced to the 2R for the second after ret. at 3-4 in first set. Also reached 2R in 2014 (l. to Sousa) and has a 2-2 tournament record  At No. 47, is one of five left-handed Spaniards ranked in the Top 100 Emirates ATP Rankings (joined by No. 5 Nadal, No. 25 Lopez, No. 60 Verdasco, No. 72 Munoz-de la Nava)  Last week fell in 1R at Buenos Aires (l. to Cuevas)  Reached his 4th career ATP World Tour SF (1-3 mark) at Quito (l. to eventual champion Estrella Burgos) and first since 2012 Estoril (l. to Gasquet). Reached lone final at 2012 Casablanca (l. to Andujar)  Reached 2R at Australian Open (l. to Cilic) and fell in 1R at Qatar (l. to Mathieu) and Auckland (l to de Bakker)  In 2015, Spaniard posted double-digit win total (16-23) and finished in Top 100 of Emirates ATP Rankings for 5th straight season  Career 1-16 record vs Top 10 opponents, lone win came over No. 3 Roger Federer last year at AMS Shanghai

Ferrer FastFacts: 2016 Highlights: SF(2): Auckland (l Sock); Buenos Aires (l Almagro); QF: Australian Open (l Murray) YTD W-L: 9-4 (3-1 on clay) YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 26 Date of Birth: April 2, 1982 Emirates ATP Ranking: 6 Rio de Janeiro W-L (Best Result-Year): 9-1 (Winner 2015)

 The 33-year-old Spaniard opened with a 63 76(3) win over Chilean wild card Nicolas Jarry on Tuesday. The 2015 champion (d. Fognini) has a 9-1 tournament record and also reached the SF in 2014 (l. to Dolgopolov)  Last week reached 2nd ATP World Tour SF of the year at Buenos Aires (l. to Almagro). Was attempting reach 52nd career ATP World Tour final (26-25, 12-15 on clay)  Opened season by reaching SF at Auckland (l. to Sock) and followed with QF at Australian Open (d. Isner in 4R, l. to Murray). Fell in 1R at Doha (l. to Marchenko)

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 In 2015, Spaniard posted 6th straight Top 10 finish in Emirates ATP Rankings and 7th overall. Also earned 50+ wins for 6th straight season and 7th overall  Captured 25th title of career in 50th final at Kuala Lumpur (d. Lopez), which he followed with Vienna title (d. Johnson 75 in 3rd)

Santiago Giraldo (COL) vs Guido Pella (ARG) First Meeting

Giraldo FastFacts: 2016 Highlights: YTD W-L: 3-3 (2-1 on clay) YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0 Date of Birth: November 27, 1987 Emirates ATP Ranking: 83 Rio de Janeiro W-L (Best Result-Year): 1-2 (2R 2016)

 The 28-year-old, who is the only Colombian ranked in the Top 100 Emirates ATP Rankings, advanced to the 2R here for the first time with a 64 76(5) win over Portuguese qualifier Gastao Elias on Tuesday. Fell in 1R in 2014 (l. to Bellucci) and 2015 (l. to Monaco ret. trailing 36 03)  Looking to reach first ATP World Tour QF of the year and first since Gstaad (l. to Lopez) last July  Last week reached 2R at Buenos Aires (l. to Cuevas)  Opened year with 1R loss at Chennai (l. to Rosol), followed with QF at Canberra Challenger (l. to Dodig) and fell in 2R at Australian Open (l. to Sousa)  In 2015, Colombian finished in Top 100 of Emirates ATP Rankings for 6th straight season  Reached QF-or-better at 5 ATP World Tour events -- all on clay

Pella FastFacts: 2016 Highlights: YTD W-L: 2-3 (1-2 on clay) YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0 Date of Birth: May 17, 1990 Emirates ATP Ranking: 71 Rio de Janeiro W-L (Best Result-Year): 1-0 (2R 2016)

 The 25-year-old defeated No. 4 seed 76(5) 57 76(8) in the 1R on Monday in his main draw debut, saving three match points  At No. 71 one of five Argentinians ranked in the Top 100 Emirates ATP Rankings (joined by: No. 38 , No. 46 , No. 55 Juan Monaco and No. 90 Diego Schwartzman)  Looking to reach 2nd career ATP World Tour QF and first since reaching maiden QF at 2013 Dusseldorf (l. to eventual champion Monaco) as a qualifier  Best result of year was reaching the 2R for the first time at Australian Open (l. to Lopez in 5-sets). Fell in 1R at Buenos Aires (l. to Mayer) and Quito (l. to eventual champion Estrella Burgos)  In 2015, Argentine climbed 82 spots to finish in Top 100 for 2nd time at a year-end high No. 74  Achieved career-high ranking of No. 73 on November 9 after reaching Guayaquil, ECU Challenger SF (l. to Elias)  Won 4 of 10 career Challenger singles titles (tied for most on tour in 2015): San Luis Potosi, MEX (d. McGee); São Paulo, BRA (d. Lindell); , BRA (d. Schwartzman); and Montevideo, URU (d. Cervantes)  Returned to ATP Challenger Tour Finals (2012 champion), beating Albot and Clezar, then leading Cecchinato 61 10 when he suffered right leg muscle injury, retired from match, and withdrew from SF

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QUADRA 1

[7] Fabio Fognini (ITA) vs [Q] Daniel Gimeno-Traver (ESP) Fognini Leads 3-1 09 Barcelona (Spain) Clay R64 Daniel Gimeno-Traver 6-1 6-3 09 Bucharest (Romania) Clay R32 Fabio Fognini 1-6 6-4 6-3 11 Valencia (Spain) Hard R32 Fabio Fognini 6-4 6-3 12 St. Petersburg (Russia) Hard SF Fabio Fognini 6-3 6-4 Other meetings: 06 Napoli CH () Clay R32 Fabio Fognini 6-4 5-7 6-4 09 Napoli CH (Italy) Clay R16 Fabio Fognini 6-3 6-2

Fognini FastFacts: 2016 Highlights: QF: Auckland (l Tsonga) YTD W-L: 3-3 (1-1 on clay) YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 3 Date of Birth: May 24, 1987 Emirates ATP Ranking: 24 (as of 2/8/16) Rio de Janeiro W-L (Best Result-Year): 7-2 (RUP 2015)

Gimeno-Traver FastFacts: 2016 Highlights: YTD W-L: 1-2 (1-0 on clay) YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0 Date of Birth: August 7, 1985 Emirates ATP Ranking: 118 Rio de Janeiro W-L (Best Result-Year): 1-0 (2R 2016)