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2/12/11 4:20 AM | Ricky Dimon
Alexandr Dolgopolov takes out Ricardo Mello with ease in the Costa do Sauipe semifinals on Friday. Next up for Dolgopolov is the title match against Nicolas Almagro, who dismissed Juan Ignacio Chela.
(4) Alexandr Dolgopolov d. Ricardo Mello 6-2, 6-1
Dolgopolov kept up his hot streak with a near-flawless performance that overwhelmed Mello in the semifinals of the Brasil Open on Friday. The 32nd-ranked Ukrainian, who reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, broke immediately for a 1-0 lead in the first set and never looked back. He added another break just for good measure and served out the opening frame of play at 5-2.
Mello, making his second consecutive appearance in the Costa do Sauipe semis, continued to have no answers against an on-fire opponent in set two. The 30-year-old Brazilian donated serve three more times and although he actually got a look at three break chances, he failed to convert. Dolgopolov's fifth break of the evening at 5-1 ended the proceedings. The No. 4 seed needed just 59 minutes to set up a final showdown with Nicolas Almagro.
(1) Nicolas Almagro d. (5) Juan Ignacio Chela 1-6, 6-2, 6-4
Almagro got off to a dreadful start but roared back to reach his 10th career ATP final by dismissing Chela after one hour and 38 minutes of play on Friday. It was Chela who came out firing and he dominated the first set, dropping a mere five points in four service games while converting both of his break chances. The fifth-seeded Argentine served it out at 5-1, then had a break-point opportunity to take complete control early in the second.
When Almagro fought it off and held, however, the tide turned. Costa do Sauipe's No. 1 seed suddenly seized all the momentum with two breaks of his own. He held serve with complete ease in the latter stages of set two and his second break of the day at 5-2 forced a third. Chela managed to stay competitive and he went toe-to-toe with his opponent en route to 4-5. After having lost only four points in four service games to open the third, Chela cracked in the 10th game under the pressure of serving to stay in the match. Almagro capitalized on his third match point to wrap it up and storm into the title match. Both players finished with a clean four aces and zero double-faults.
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@mara002 , 2/12/11 9:19 AM
Players, who were among top 30 by the end of the 2010 season, are obliged to play at the Masters 1000 (except Monte Carlo) this season.
Augustina08 , 2/12/11 11:21 AM
Thanks, Augustina -
that's what I mean. Sasha is ranked #32, so he wouldn't be subject to those rules until next year if he wins the Brasil fina.
(Though I know he already played Rafa in Madrid last year. I just don't know if he'd have to ask for a WC foir the other 1000-level Masters clay tournaments.)
mara002 , 2/12/11 11:38 AM
@mara002 , 2/12/11 11:38 AM
--- I just don't know if he'd have to ask for a WC foir the other 1000-level Masters clay tournaments---
Last year Dolgopolov reached the main draw in Monte Carlo, Rome and Madrid through qualifying rounds. Currently he is the 32nd in rankings. If he'll stay among top 56, he will be accepted into the main draw directly. If he'll stay among top 32, he will be seeded into the main draw.
The same rules apply to all the Masters 1000 tournaments.
Augustina08 , 2/12/11 12:39 PM
Actually, Masters events only seed the top 16 players; Slams seed up to No. 32.
cherylmurray , 2/12/11 2:02 PM
While Dolgo may be good, he's too inconsistent. He may not be able to do well consistently one Masters after another, especially if they are back to back ones. Let's see how he fares against a clay courter, Almagro, on clay.
Dolgo is 22, compared to Cilic and Delpo, I think the two 6'6" giants do better than Dolgo. Dolgo while talented, his style of play is too unpredictable and sometimes I find his game too hit or miss. On a good day everything can fall into place nicely and he can execute his unpredictable shots perfectly. On a bad day, he may not be able to pull a shot he wants to get a desirable result. I'm not sure that he can go grinding out a win on his bad day. So I think he'll be something like Gulbis, spectacular when his game is on, lose meekly when his game is off, just like how he lose to Ferrer at the USO last year(contrast that with his match with Tsonga at Wimbledon last year, when his game was on though he lost after going five sets).
luckystar , 2/12/11 6:04 PM
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Congratulations, Nico and Sasha!
If Sasha wins this final, I think he gets a ranking boost into the top 30, at which point I think ATP rules require him to play 1000 level Masters ... and I think things are going to get even more interesting than they already are.
mara002 , 2/12/11 9:19 AM