Barbosa Upsets Johnstone In Companion Opener

Brazilian qualifier Luciano Alves Barbosa delighted local crowds at the Companion Challenge Cup when he upset Australia's fourth seed Wade Johnstone 11-10 (2-0), 11-9, 9-11, 11-8 in the new PSA Tour event in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The 29-year-old former Brazilian National Champion now meets Tarek Momen in the quarter-finals after the sixth seed from Egypt beat another Brazilian, lucky loser Bruno Bolzan, 11-9, 11-3, 11-8.

All eyes will be on an all-Brazilian clash at the bottom of the draw when second seed Rafael F Alarcon takes on Ronivaldo Santos, the No8 seed, in the match that should have been last November's Brazilian national final. Alarcon, who reclaimed the title in 2005 after Santos conceded the match, beat Egypt's Mohamed Elkeiy 11-7, 11-5, 11-8, while Santos took five games to overcome Argentinean qualifier Rodrigo Pezzota 11-4, 11-3, 7-11, 10-11 (1-3), 11-10 (2-0).

1st round:
[1] Jean-Michel Arcucci (FRA) bt [Q] Jorge Gutierrez (ARG) 11-4, 11-8, 8-11, 11-10 (3-1)
[7] Roberto Pezzota (ARG) bt [Q] Matias Valenzuela (ARG) 11-4, 11-6, 11-7
[Q] Luciano Alves Barbosa (BRA) bt [4] Wade Johnstone (AUS) 11-10 (2-0), 11-9, 9-11, 11-8
[6] Tarek Momen (EGY) bt Bruno Bolzan (BRA) 11-9, 11-3, 11-8
[5] Tony James (AUS) bt Manoel Pereira (BRA) 10-11 (0-2), 11-5, 11-7, 11-6
[3] Sabir Butt (CAN) bt Edilson Nunes (BRA) 11-7, 11-4, 11-4
[8] Ronivaldo Santos (BRA) bt Mohamed Elkeiy (EGY) 11-7, 11-5, 11-8
[2] Rafael F Alarcon (BRA) bt [Q] Rodrigo Pezzota (ARG) 11-4, 11-3, 7-11, 10-11 (1-3), 11-10 (2-0)