Chile is perhaps the sentimental favorite this weekend after the country suffered from a devastating earthquake. Despite the widespread wreckage, the Chileans were able to still stage the event but at a one day delay.
After slow starts, Nicolas Massu and Fernando Gonzalez won their openers to the hometown crowd’s delight. Chile now leads Israel 2-0.
Gonzalez and Massu will team up tomorrow against the Israeli doubles team of Andy Ram and Jonathan Erlich. The Israeli doubles team could be trouble for the Chileans. Even with a doubles loss tomorrow, Gonzalez and Massu should be able to shut it down in the reverse single rubbers on Monday.
Saturday’s Results
R1 – Nicolas Massu (CHI) def. Dudi Sela (ISR) 4-6 6-2 6-2 6-4
R2 – Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) def. Harel Levy (ISR) 2-6 6-3 6-4 6-4
(Images: AP)
Top-seed Juan Carlos Ferrero had a routine win over Eduardo Schwank 7-6(4) 6-3 after 126 minutes of play. The Spaniard will meet Chilean Nicolas Massu in the second round. The world no. 22 leads their head-to-head 6-2.
In a battle of Brazilians, third-seed Thomaz Bellucci emerged victorious over Thiago Alves. He was able to advance with a 6-2 7-5 victory to the second round. The 22 year old will next play Spaniard Daniel Gimeno-Traver, who he has never played before.
Should there be no upsets in the next two rounds, Ferrero and Bellucci could meet in the semifinals.
Tuesday's Results
Singles First Round
1 Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP) def. Eduardo Schwank (ARG) 7-6(4) 6-3
3 Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) def. WC Thiago Alves (BRA) 6-2 7-5
4 Igor Andreev (RUS) def. Potito Starace (ITA) 6-2 6-2
5 Victor Hanescu (ROU) def. Joao Souza (BRA) 7-5 7-6(2)
6 Pablo Cuevas (URU) def. Q Filippo Volandri (ITA) 6-4 6-3
Marcel Granollers (ESP) def. 7 Horacio Zeballos (ARG) 7-5 3-0 RET.
Lukasz Kubot (POL) vs. Oscar Hernandez (ESP) 7-5 7-6(2)
Juan Ignacio Chela (ARG) def. Peter Luczak (AUS) 6-7(4) 6-3 6-4
Fabio Fognini (ITA) def. Martin Vassallo Arguello (ARG) 6-4 6-0
Q Rui Machado (POR) def. Marcos Daniel (BRA) 6-3 7-6(3)
Nicolas Massu (CHI) def. Q Rogerio Dutra Da Silva (BRA) 6-4 3-6 6-4
Frederico Gil (POR) def. LL Pablo Andujar (ESP) 7-6(9) 6-2
WC Ricardo Hocevar (BRA) def. Q Carlos Berlocq (ARG) 7-5 6-3
Doubles First Round
J. Chela (ARG)/S. Ventura (ESP) def. 4 A. Sa (BRA)/H. Tecau (ROU) 7-5 6-1
S. Greul (GER)/P. Luczak (AUS) def. WC F. Ferreiro (BRA)/R. Mello (BRA) 7-5 2-6 11-9
Wednesday's Order of Play
(Images: Koch Tavares/Brasil Open 2010)
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