Aracaju (BRA) - Boris Pashanski, from Serbia and Montenegro, played consistently throughout the week, including in the final against Nicolas Lapentti to claim the title at the Copa Petrobras Aracaju. The Serbian defeated Lapentti 7-6(9), 7-5 receiving 70 ATP Entry Ranking points and $14,400. This was Pashanski's fifth title of the season in challenger events.

Despite not having a Brazilian in the final, the central court at the Sergipe Tennis Federation was fully taken. On one side the crowd applauded Lapentti, the winner in Aracaju last year, while in the other side of the stands the crowd cheered Pashanski, shouting "Boris, Boris".

"The crowd cheered me up the entire match," said Pashanski. "When I was down in the second set they kept cheering me up and this definitely helped me to make a come back." The Serbian said winning the title was a surprise to him. "I came to Aracaju to win one match." The modest Serbian also reached the final in Montevideo before falling to Juan Martin Del Potro in the third set tie-break.

Until Aracaju, Pashanski has only claimed titles in Europe (Hungary, Finland and Uzbekistan). Before starting the South American challenger circuit, Pashanski was ranked No.116 in the world. After solid appearances in the South American clay court tournaments, the Serbian guaranteed a spot in the top 100.

Lapentti, who also reached the final in Braunschweig this season, accomplished the 23-year-old Serbian. "I couldn't win today. At the other side of the net was a very solid player. I played well, but he played better and deserved to win," said the Ecuadorian who also thanked the crowd for the support. "I feel like playing home here in Aracaju. The crowd supported me the entire week."

In the following week Pashanski and Lapentti compete in the final stage of the Copa Petrobras in Buenos Aires. Top seed Lapentti faces Agustin Tarantino while the No. 2 seed Serbian battles Argentina's Máximo Gonzalez.

Doubles

On Saturday, right before the singles final, Máximo González and Sérgio Roitman played an exciting three set match against fellow Argentines Carlos Berlocq and Martin Vassallo Arguello to win their first title as a duo. González and Roitman, who were playing together for the first time, defeated Berlocq and Arguello 6-4, 6-7(7), 6-3 in two hours, 22 minutes.

"It was an amazing final, with both teams playing very well," said Roitman. "The crowd enjoyed and so did we."
"It was the first time we played together. It seems like it worked," celebrated González. Despite the title, González and Roitman won't partner up in Buenos Aires. "I had already agreed to play with another friend next week," said González.

En route to the final, the Argentines defeated Cruz/Moraes (BRA), Koellerer (AUT)/Naso (ITA) and Behrend (GER)/Daniel (BRA). With the title the duo claimed $6.200 and 70 ATP Entry Ranking points.