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2/11/09 10:26 PM | Kelli DeMario
Defending champion Nicolas Almagro survived patches of spotty play during his second-round encounter with Martin Vassallo Arguello on Wednesday afternoon.
The top-seeded Spaniard, still searching for the form that brought him the 2008 title at Costa do Sauipe, looked shaky at the start of the match. Almagro hit two double-faults and a backhand error in his opening service game, handing Vassallo Arguello an early 2-0 lead. The Argentine began his campaign in suspect fashion as well, surrendering serve in the very next game.
Almagro continued to struggle holding serve, saving two break points while serving at 1-2. He managed to hold, drawing level at 2-2. A costly backhand error by Vassallo Arguello gave Almagro two break points at 3-3, and the Spaniard crushed a backhand winner to secure a break of serve for 4-3. Almagro, unable to control his unforced error count, turned in a sloppy service game, losing the break advantage for 4-4. Vassallo Arguello fell behind three break points at 4-4, and Almagro cracked a backhand winner to lead 5-4. Behind a rare, solid service game, the favorite held to take the opening set 6-4.
Almagro jumped out to an early lead in set two, breaking the Vassallo Arguello serve to lead 1-0. A strong effort on serve followed, consolidating the break for 2-0. The Spaniard, who faced only one break point in the second set, was able to hold serve comfortably to reach 5-3. Almagro pocketed the set--and the match--6-4 on a blistering forehand winner.
Almagro will meet the winner of Wednesday night's Gil/Granollers match.
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