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)

Thomaz Bellucci won his second-career title. In an evening final, he battled Argentine Juan Monaco for the title in Santiago. The Brazilian outlasted Monaco 6-2 0-6 6-4 in a battle that lasted almost two hours.

Bellucci showed a lot of heart this week. He battled through Lapentti, Capedeville, Schwank and Gonzalez in mostly three-set victories, almost always coming from behind. The Brazilian played a lot of tennis and was on the court almost two hours more than Monaco. It was only a matter of time before the 22 year old lost his legs.

Bellucci instead jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the opening set. Monaco stopped the bleeding by breaking back in game six. The Brazilian broke back in the following game and successfully served for the opening set. Monaco then won the second set at love, and it looked like experience and legs would catch up to Bellucci. He held his own in the final set and secured a break for the win.

With the title victory, the 22 year old shoots up seven spots to world no. 28 this week. Eight months ago, the Brazilian was ranked 134. Now he is in the top 30.

Bellucci will head to Costa do Sauipe this week on his home turf. He lost in the final to Tommy Robredo last year. Should he win that tournament this year, the Brazilian fans will go wild. Brazilians have not had a lot to cheer about since Gustavo “Guga” Kuerten.

Championship Sunday
Singles Final
3 Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) def. 2 Juan Monaco (ARG) 6-2 0-6 6-4

(Image: Claudio Santana/AFP/Getty Images)

In the upset of the week, Thomaz Bellucci rallied to ouster Fernando Gonzalez 3-6 6-4 6-3. Gonzalez was playing in front of the hometown crowd and was defending the title for the second year in a row. The win is quite a coup for the Brazilian.

The 22 year old is growing as a player. He has broken into the top forty and is starting to beat the players he is supposed to beat. The world no. 35 now needs to start beating the top 25 players.

Tonight’s win is his largest scalp to date by taking out the world no. 11. His largest scalps were Stanislas Wawrinka and Igor Andreev in Gstaad last year when they were ranked 24 and 27 respectively. Bellucci went on to win that tournament, which is his only title. The Brazilian will meet Juan Monaco on Sunday.

Monaco had an easier time dismissing Brazilian qualifier Joao Souza in the first semifinal of the day. After his 6-1 6-4 victory, the Argentine booked another final visit at this tournament. His last visit was in 2008 when he pulled out of the final against Fernando Gonzalez.

Monaco and Bellucci have never played one another. This final should be an interesting one. I now have to see this match live. Damn you Tennis Channel!

Saturday’s Results
Singles Semifinals
1 Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) vs. 3 Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) 3-6 6-4 6-3
2 Juan Monaco (ARG) def. Q Joao Souza (BRA) 6-1 6-4

Doubles Final
1 L. Kubot (POL)/O. Marach (AUT) def. P. Starace (ITA)/H. Zeballos (ARG) 6-4 6-0

Sunday’s Order of Play

(Images: Cèsar Pincheira/Movistar Open)

On the brink of defeat last night, Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci rallied to beat Paul Capdeville 5-7 6-4 7-5 in front of the Chilean’s hometown crowd in just under three hours of play. Bellucci was able to follow up his big win last night with another win against Eduardo Schwank this evening in straight sets to book the third spot in the semifinals.

The 22 year old is showing a lot of maturity so far this year and is in the hunt for a second-career title after his first win in Gstaad last year. He now awaits the winner of the night match between Fernando Gonzalez and Marcel Granollers.


Friday’s Results
Singles Quarterfinals 

1 Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) def. Marcel Granollers (ESP) 7-6(8) 7-6(9)
2 Juan Monaco (ARG) 
def. Peter Luczak (AUS) 6-4 3-6 6-3
3 Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) def. Eduardo Schwank (ARG) 6-4 6-4
Q Joao Souza (BRA) def. Alberto Martin (ESP) 6-2 6-4

Doubles Semifinals 

1 L. Kubot (POL)/O. Marach (AUT) def. L. Friedl (CZE)/D. Skoch (CZE) 5-7 6-2 10-8
P. Starace (ITA)/H. Zeballos (ARG) def. L. Arnold Ker (ARG)/J. Monaco (ARG) 6-4 4-6 10-5

Saturday’s Order of Play

(Image: Cèsar Pincheira – Movistar Open)

Third-seed Thomaz Bellucci rallied to beat veteran Nicolas Lapentti in an extremely evil first-round matchup. After 1 hour and 46 minutes of play, Bellucci bested the veteran from Ecuador 3-6 6-1 6-1.

The top-ranked Brazilian is holding steady in the top 40 and is starting out the year well. The world no. 35 advanced to the quarterfinals in Brisbane where he lost to Tomas Berdych and then advanced to the second round of the Australian Open where he lost to Andy Roddick. The 22 year old is now beating the players he should beat, but now he needs to overcome the top 30 players.

Up next for the Brazilian is Chilean Paul Capdeville, who had a much easier time with a qualifier in his first-round matchup. The two players have never met in ATP action but did meet twice on the challenger circuit. Bellucci won both of those meetings by the way.

Tuesday’s Results
Singles First Round
1 Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) def. Oscar Hernandez (ESP) 6-2 6-1
3 Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) def. Nicolas Lapentti (ECU) 3-6 6-1 6-1
Ricardo Mello (BRA) def. 4 Pablo Cuevas (URU) 7-6(5) 6-3
Lukasz Kubot (POL) def. 5 Horacio Zeballos (ARG) 3-6 7-5 6-3
6 Jose Acasuso (ARG) def. WC Hans Podlipnik-Castillo (CHI) 6-1 6-1
Q Joao Souza (BRA) def. 7 Simon Greul (GER) 3-6 6-4 7-6(5)
Eduardo Schwank (ARG) def. Paolo Lorenzi (ITA) 4-6 7-6(3) 6-3
Pere Riba (ESP) def. Santiago Ventura (ESP) 6-3 7-5
Paul Capdeville (CHI) def. WC Cristobal Saavedra-Corvalan (CHI) 4-6 6-2 6-1
Q David Marrero (ESP) def. Q Juan-Martin Aranguren (ARG) 7-6(4) 2-6 7-6(2)
Q Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo (ESP) def. Victor Crivoi (ROU) 6-4 6-2

Doubles First Round
1 L. Kubot (POL)/O. Marach (AUT) def. J. Chela (ARG)/S. Ventura (ESP) 6-3 7-6(7)
S. Greul (GER)/P. Luczak (AUS) def. R. Ramirez Hidalgo (ESP)/E. Schwank (ARG) 7-6(3) 6-4
B. Dabul (ARG)/P. Lorenzi (ITA) vs WC S. Gonzalez (MEX)/N. Massu (CHI) – TBD

Wednesday's Order of Play

(Image: El Mercurio)

Brazilian qualifier Thomaz Bellucci grimaces after a losing point during his 6-3 6-4 loss to Fernando Gonzalez.

(Image: Eugene Hoshiko/AP)

It looks like a good cross-section of players qualified yesterday, which is good for the tournament. Giovanni Lapentti now joins his brother, Nicolas Lapentti in the draw. That has not happened for some time.

In the US, television and online coverage is much improved. If you cannot make it to the tournament, you should have no problems watching a lot of tennis this fortnight if you so desire.

US Open Qualifiers
Pictured
Marco Chiudinelli (SUI), Thomaz Bellucci (BRA), Horacio Zeballos (ARG), Peter Polansky (CAN), Alejandro Falla (COL)

Not Pictured
Michael Yani (USA), Marcel Ilhan (TUR), Josselin Ouanna (FRA), Jesse Witten (USA), Dieter Kindlmann (GER), Michael Berrer (GER), Juan Pablo Brzezicki (ARG), Carsten Ball (AUS), Giovanni Lapentti (ECU), Donald Young (USA), Somdev Devvarman (IND)

Saturday’s Qualifying Results

Monday’s Order of Play

Watch Live
Tennis Channel - 11:00 am – 7:00 pm ET
ESPN2 - 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm ET
ESPN2 - 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm ET
US Open
ESPN 360

(Images: Denise/tennisfiend)

The most anticipated matchup of the qualies this year was today’s matchup of Thomaz Bellucci and Grigor Dimitrov. It was the top-seeded qualifier versus last year’s US Open junior champion.

In the end, Bellucci had a routine win over the Bulgarian up-and-comer 6-4 6-3. Bellucci should have won this match since he is the older and more seasoned player, but Dimitrov is more than capable of staging the upset – just ask Tomas Berdych in Rotterdam.

The Brazilian will play American Scoville Jenkins tomorrow for a spot in the main draw. They have never met in ATP or lower-tiered events.

Thursday’s Results

Friday’s Order of Play

(Image: Denise/tennisfiend)

I managed to catch the opening day of the qualifiers at the US Open yesterday. There were actually a number of good matches to see. The two standout matches were the Thomaz Bellucci and Grigor Dimitrov.

Bellucci happens to be the top-seed of the qualifiers. The Brazilian managed to take apart Giancarlo Petrazzuola 6-2 6-0. He played a really solid match and almost made no mistakes. The current world no. 68, who more of a clay-courter, started out the year steadily progressing but then stalled. The 21 year old returned to the challenger circuit this spring, but returned to the majors this summer where he won his first tournament in Gstaad.

The other standout match featured the up-and-coming Dimitrov, who is already being compared to Federer and now has his old coach. The 18 year old beat German Tobias Kamke 6-3 7-5. Kamke was a much better opponent than Petrazzuola and went from being almost blown out to battling back for a competitive match.

In the worst case of tournament evils, Bellucci and Dimitrov now have to play each other in the second round. I do not know why Dimitrov did not receive a wildcard in the first place since he won the US Open juniors title last year. Despite this obvious crime, this should be the match of the week.

Qualifying Draw

Wednesday’s Schedule of Play

(Images: Denise/tennisfiend)

Brazil had its first singles champion after Gustavo “Guga” Kuerten hit the scene in the 90s and early 00s. Guga eventually went on to win 3 grand slams and 17 ATP titles to the delight of his fans and countrymen. His career was cut short by an unfortunate hip injury, and his retirement left a huge hole in Brazilian tennis that is quite unfortunate when you think about it.

This week Brazilians Thomaz Bellucci and Marcos Daniel made fairytale runs in Gstaad by both advancing into the semifinals. The reality with most fairytale runs is that they are usually never fully realized. Bellucci had a similar run at the Brazilian Open earlier this year, but Tommy Robredo denied him from his first title.

Today, the world no. 119, this time, took his fairy tale run to the end by winning his first title of his career. The 21 year old beat Andreas Beck 6-4 7-6(2) after 100 minutes of play. He is the first Brazilian to win an ATP title in 7 years since Guga won the Brazilian Open in 2002. Let’s hope the Brazilian up-and-comer can become another Brazilian force on the tour.

(Images: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images)

Qualifier Thomaz Bellucci will meet Andreas Beck in the final of the Swiss Open. Bellucci upset the third-seed Igor Andreev 6-4 7-5. This will be his second ATP final appearance of this year. His victory caps a strong Brazilian presence at the tournament this week, as he and Marcos Daniel made it to the semifinals. Bellucci’s compatriot did not fair as well, as Andreas Beck of Germany downed Daniel 7-6(3) 6-3 to book the last spot in the Swiss final.

Beck represents a new hopeful for German tennis after Michael Stich and Boris Becker retired and Tommy Haas and Nicolas Kiefer are now veterans on the tour. The 23 year old is starting to transition out of the challenger circuit to the professional circuit. This year, he is beginning to play well in ATP tournaments. Beck started to make an impression on tour when he wrecked havoc, as a qualifier, in Monaco this spring by taking out Nicolas Kiefer, Gilles Simon and Juan Monaco.

Now, Beck and Bellucci will play for their first ATP title of their careers. Should Bellucci win the title tomorrow, he will be the first Brazilian to win an ATP title since the great Gustavo Kuerten won the Brazil Open in 2002.

Both players have never met in ATP competition. Bellucci did beat the German their only meeting in a Challengers event in Tunisia last year, but I am sure a lot has changed since then. Beck is starting to ratchet up his game, so tomorrow’s final should be a good one. It is nice to see some new blood in the ATP.

(Images: AP)

Brazilians Marcos Daniel and Thomaz Bellucci booked spots into the Swiss Open semifinals today. Daniels took out Frenchman Florent Serra 6-4 7-6(1). He is become the Francoslayer of the tournament by taking out three-consecutive Frenchmen – Mathieu, Benneteau and now Serra.

Bellucci, on the other hand, was lucky today when Nicolas Kiefer had to retire due to a left ankle injury. The German was up a set at 6-3 but had to withdraw from the match after the first game in the second set.

Poor Kiefer has struggled to consistently stay healthy enough to keep his game on track. This is his second retirement of the year – not including the Hopman Cup. The lack of play has caused the 32 year old’s ranking to drop to 128. He played so well in Stuttgart a couple of weeks ago and was playing well this week. Let's hope for a speedy recovery for the German.

For tomorrow, Daniel will draw third-seed Igor Andreev while Bellucci will play Andreas Beck. None of these players have played one another in ATP competition. Tomorrow should be interesting.

(Images: AP)

Thomaz Bellucci stunned top-seed Stanislas Wawrinka 6-4 6-4. The Brazilian lefty and world no. 119 surprised Wawrinka in front of his hometown audience.

Bellucci started the year out strong with an appearance in the final of the Brazilian Open. He eventually lost that match to Tommy Robredo, who had the hot hand at the time, and soon faded on the tour soon afterward. Bellucci then went back on the challenger tour and won a tournament in Italy a couple of weeks ago.

Now, the 21 year old will play sixth-seed Nicolas Kiefer in the quarterfinals. The two players have never met in ATP competition.

Before Bellucci’s surprise, Marcos Daniel, another Brazilian upset Frenchman Julien Benneteau 6-3 7-6(8). Daniel will play another Frenchman Florent Serra. Serra leads their match-up 1-0.

(Images: AP)

Rain and wind again foiled the Roman tournament today. The rain caused delays, but most of the first round matches managed to be completed. There are three first-round matches that will be finished tomorrow. All doubles matches were cancelled for the day and moved to Wednesday.

Of the completed matches, Feliciano Lopez prevailed over Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci 6-4 6-2. It was a good win for the Spaniard, who is 5-8 this year and has had five first-round losses. Lopez made it to the round of 16 in Barcelona last week, so maybe he has turned over a new leaf. He now awaits the winner of the Stepanek-Serra match.

One second-round match was completed. Novak Djokovic beat Albert Montanes 7-6(5) 6-0 in quite convincing fashion. The Serb will have a day off tomorrow and awaits the winner of the Robredo-Kohlschreiber match.

(Image: AP)

Monday’s Results
Singles First Round
Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) def. Albert Montanes (ESP) 6-4 7-6(1)
12 Igor Andreev (RUS) def. Andreas Seppi (ITA) 6-3 3-6 7-5
Christophe Rochus (BEL) def. Nicolas Devilder (FRA) 6-4 6-4
Q Santiago Ventura (ESP) def. Marcel Granollers (ESP) 7-6(3) 6-3
WC Alberto Martin (ESP) def. Marc Gicquel (FRA) 6-3 6-4
Jose Acasuso (ARG) def. Dudi Sela (ISR) 6-4 7-5
10 Nicolas Almagro (ESP) def. Victor Hanescu (ROU) 3-6 7-6(7) 2-2 Ret’d
Potito Starace (ITA) def. Ernests Gulbis (LAT) 4-6 6-3 6-3
Igor Kunitsyn (RUS) def. Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP) 7-5 7-6(3)
Q Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ) def. Q Pere Riba-Madrid (ESP) 6-2 7-6(5)
Juan Ignacio Chela (ARG) def. Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) 6-2 3-6 6-4
16 Tomas Berdych (CZE) def. Martin Vassallo Arguello (ARG) 5-2 Ret’d
Q Frederico Gil (POR) def. Yen-Hsun Lu (TPE) 6-2 6-1

Doubles First Round
R. Stepanek (CZE)/V. Troicki (SRB) def. M. Safin (RUS)/D. Vemic (SRB) 6-3 3-6 10-6
R. Lindstedt (SWE)/R. Soderling (SWE) def. F. Lopez (ESP)/F. Verdasco (ESP) 7-6(4) 2-6 10-7

Tuesday’s Matches
Singles First Round
Oscar Hernandez (ESP) vs. Eduardo Schwank (ARG)
Q Fabio Fognini (ITA) vs. Q Daniel Gimeno-Traver (ESP)
Diego Junquiera (ARG) vs. WC Gaston Gaudio (ARG)
Guillermo Canas (ARG) vs. Arnaud Clement (FRA)
Jarkko Nieminen (FIN) vs. 16 Feliciano Lopez (ESP)
9 Radek Stepanek (CZE) vs. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP)
Q Nicolas Lapentti (ECU) vs. Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA)
Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) vs. Viktor Troicki (SRB)
Juan Monaco (ARG) vs. WC 11 Marat Safin (RUS)
Jan Hernych (CZE) vs. 13 Richard Gasquet (FRA)
14 Robin Soderling (SWE) vs. Teimuraz Gabashvili (RUS)

Singles Second Round
WC Alberto Martin (ESP) vs. 12 Igor Andreev (RUS)
Q Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ) vs. 4 David Ferrer (ESP)

Doubles First Round
M. Granollers (ESP)/T. Robredo (ESP) vs. L. Kubot (POL)/O. Marach (AUT)
J. Knowle (AUT)/J. Melzer (AUT) vs. N. Davydenko (RUS)/I. Kunitsyn (RUS)
N, Almagro (ESP)/A. Montanes (ESP) vs. L. Arnold Ker (ARG)/F. Gonzalez (CHI)
T. Parrott (USA)/F. Polasek (SVK) vs. F. Cermak (CZE)/M. Mertinak (SVK)
S. Aspelin (SWE)/W. Moodie (RSA) vs. WC M. Lopez (ESP)/F. Vicente (ESP)
S. Huss (AUS)/R. Hutchins (GBR) vs. WC G. Alcaide (ESP)/A. Martin (ESP)

Tuesday’s Order of Play

(Image: AP)

Thomaz Bellucci and Sergiy Stakhoysky turned out to be no trouble at all because they both lost today. Federico Gil survived a three setter against Alberto Martin, so he lives to cause trouble another day. He will play Ivan Ljubicic in the next round, who took care of Arnaud Clement in three sets. The two players have never met in an ATP event.

Monday’s Results
Qualifying Third Round
Santiago Ventura (ESP) def. Carlos Poch-Gradin (ESP) 6-3 6-1
Flavio Cipolla (ITA) def. Lamine Ouahab (ALG) 7-6(9) 4-0 Ret’d
Olivier Marach (AUT) def. Olivier Patience (FRA) 6-7(4) 6-4 6-1
Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo (ESP) def. Boris Pashanki (SRB) 6-1 6-2

Singles First Round
Ivan Ljubicic (CRO) def. 8 Arnaud Clement (FRA) 7-6(6) 5-7 6-4
4 Victor Hanescu (ROU) def. Steve Darcis (BEL) 6-4 7-5
5 Florent Serra (FRA) def. Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) 6-3 6-3
Frederico Gil (POR) def. Alberto Martin (ESP) 6-3 3-6 7-6(4)
Ivan Navarro (ESP) def. Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR) 7-5 4-2 Ret’d wrist

Doubles First Round
S. Aspelin (SWE)/ P. Hanley (AUS) def. O. Hernandez (ESP)/A. Martin (ESP) 6-3 6-7(5) 10-6

Tuesday's Matches
Singles First Round
1 Igor Andreev (RUS) vs. WC Rabie Chaki (MAR)
2 Rainer Schulettler (GER) vs. Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo (ESP)
3 Albert Montanes (ESP) vs. WC Reda El Amrani (MAR)
6 Marc Gicquel (FRA) vs. Kristof Vliegen (BEL)
Olivier Rochus (BEL) vs. WC Mehdi Ziadi (MAR)
Potito Starace (ITA) vs. Oscar Hernandez (ESP)
Fabio Fognini (ITA) vs.Teimuraz GABASHVILI (RUS)
Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP) vs. 7 Christophe Rochus (BEL)
Santiago Ventura (ESP) vs. Oliver Marach (AUT)
Nicolas Devilder (FRA) vs. Daniel Koellerer (AUT)
Mischa Zverev (GER) vs. Flavio Cipolla (ITA)

Doubles First Round
J. Brunstrom (SWE)/J.J. Rojer (AHO) vs. T. Gabashvili (RUS)/S. Stakhovsky (UKR)
R. Bopanna (IND)/L/ Zovko (CRO) vs. T. Bellucci/E. Butorac
F. Gil (POR)/ H. Tecau (ROU) vs. M. Gicquel (FRA)/F. Serra(FRA)
Y. Allegro (SUI)/A. Clement (FRA) vs. C. Kas (GER)/R. Wassen (NED)

Tuesday's Order of Play

Watch Live

(Image: El Khiat)

City: Casablanca, Morocco
Surface: Outdoor Clay
Championship Points: 250
2008 Singles Champion: Gilles Simon
2008 Doubles Champions: Albert Montanes/Santiago Ventura

Gilles Simon will not defend his title and will take a much needed break from the tour. Igor Andreev and Ivan Ljubicic will most likely fill the void. Juan Carlos Ferrero returns from being out with an injury, so let’s hope he advances deep in the draw because he needs the points. Also, look out for Thomaz Bellucci, Sergiy Stakhovsky and Frederico Gil as possible troublemakers.

On the doubles side, Albert Montanes and Santiago Ventura will defend their doubles title. They will have to contend with the top Euro teams - Kubot/Marach, Kas Wassen, and Aspelin/Hanley.

Tournament Draw
Singles / Doubles

Monday’s Matches
Qualifying Third Round
Santiago Ventura (ESP) vs. Carlos Poch-Gradin (ESP)
Flavio Cipolla (ITA) vs. Lamine Ouahab (ALG)
Olivier Patience (FRA) vs. Olivier Marach (AUT)
Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo (ESP) vs. Boris Pashanki (SRB)

Singles First Round
Arnaud Clement (FRA) vs. Ivan Ljubicic (CRO)
Florent Serra (FRA) vs. Thomaz Bellucci (BRA)
Victor Hanescu (ROU) vs. Steve Darcis (BEL)
Alberto Martin (ESP) vs. Frederico Gil (POR)
Ivan Navarro (ESP) vs. Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR)

Doubles First Round
O. Hernandez (ESP)/A. Martin (ESP) vs. S. Aspelin (SWE)/ P. Hanley (AUS)

Monday’s Order of Play

Watch Live

(image: AP)

Fernando Verdasco returned to the tour after being out with an ankle injury. This was his first match since his great showing at the Australian Open earlier this year. He is back sporting a more severe fauxhawk and a new coach, Darren Cahill.

The Spaniard played this year’s Brazilian Open finalist and fellow lefty, Thomaz Bellucci. Verdasco looked good and moved well on the court. The young Brazilian stayed with Verdasco in the first set and had a big serve of his own until Verdasco broke him during the twelfth game. After losing the first set, the Brazilian lost steam. Bellucci was broken the second game of the second set and then Verdasco cruised to victory to win the match 7-5 6-1.

Verdasco will face Richard Gasquet in the third round. Gasquet currently leads their head-to-head 4-1. In their last meeting, Verdasco beat Gasquet in Canada in their 2007 meeting.

Gasquet beat fellow countryman, Michael Llodra prettily handily 6-4 6-0. Gasquet did everything well. Llodra tried to come to the net, but that did not seem to rattle Gasquet.

(images l to r: EFE, Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Abierto Mexicano Telcel

Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil rallied to beat Frenchman Nicolas Devilder in three sets.

Monday's Results:
Singles Round of 32
Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) def. Nicolas Devilder (FRA) 3-6 6-4 6-4
6 Bruno Echagaray (MEX) def. Albert Montanes (ESP) 6-1 6-4
Leonardo Mayer (ARG) def. Diego Junquiera (ARG) 7-6(1) 6-3
Potito Starace (ITA) def. Oscar Hernandez (ESP) 6-4 6-2
Daniel Gimeno-Traver (ESP) def. Nicolas Lapentti (ECU) 6-4 5-7 6-3
Juan Ignacio Chela (ARG) def. Q Pablo Cuevas (URU) 2-6 6-3 6-2
Martin Vassallo Arguello (ARG) def. Ivan Navarro (ESP) 6-3 5-7 7-6(3)

Doubles Round of 16
4 P. Hanley (AUS) /J. Kerr (AUS) def. J. Acasuso (ARG) /S. Prieto (ARG) 6-1 6-2

Tuesday's Order of Play

City: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Surface: Outdoor Clay
Championship Points: 250
2008 Singles Champion: David Nalbandian
2008 Doubles Champions: Calleri/Horna


Copa Telmex

Defending champion, David Nalbandian of Argentina is seated number one. This tournament has the same cast of South American and Spanish players that do the South American clay circuit. Added to to the mix this week is Spaniard Carlos Moya and David Nalbandian. It should be interesting to see if Tommy Robredo and Thomaz Bellucci stay on their roll this week.

Tournament Draw
Singles / Doubles

Updated: Monday's Matches
Singles Round of 32:
1 David Nalbandian (ARG) vs. Nicolas Lapentti (ECU)
Brian Dabul (ARG) vs. Nicolas Devilder (FRA)
Antonio Martin (ESP) vs. wc Juan Ignacio Chela (ARG)
Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP) vs. Agustin Calleri (ARG)

Doubles Round of 16:
1 F. Cermak (CZE) /M. Mertinak (SVK) vs. D. Gimeno-Traver (ESP) /I. Navarro (ESP)

Monday's Order of Play