2011 Movistar Open: Tommy Robredo reaches quarterfinals in Santiago
Former world number six, Spaniard Tommy Robredo made his way into the quarterfinals at the 2011 Movistar Open in Santiago after successfully defeating Brazilian Ricardo Mello in straight sets.
This is Robredo’s second appearance at the event. He enjoyed a semi-final run in the event in 2009 when he lost to eventual runner up, Jose Acasuso. Seeded sixth in the event this year, Robredo bounced back from being one set down
in his first round clash against Frederico Gil to move ahead in the event.
In their second ever meeting in an ATP tour event, Robredo extended his 1-0 head-to-head lead over Mello. The pair’s last meeting came in 2005 in the first round of the Bank Austria Tennis Trophy.
Meeting after almost six years, Robredo was able to defeat Mello in straight sets. Robredo held Mello to eight points and converted three break point opportunities to secure a bagel set win for himself. The Spaniard led the set
score 1-0 without losing a single game
However, the Brazilian had other plans. Mello broke the deadlock as he ran into an early lead and led the score 3-0 at one time. In an effort to match the Brazilian, Robredo pushed the set into a tiebreaker where he clinched a
6-2 lead. After missing four set points, Robredo finally closed the set at 9-7.
The sixth seed at the event struck two aces, saved four of five break points and lost only 18 of 58 points on service in 84 minutes to ensure his survival in the event.
After the match, Robredo commented, “What got me in trouble today is that I started too well. To win the first set so easily is always dangerous. I came back in the second and I should have won the tie-break 7-2 but I ended up
being a point away from a third set. This wouldn’t have been fun.”
Robredo will next play Maximo Gonzalez. Ranked 141st in the world, Gonzalez was the last direct acceptance in the main draw. He made his way into the second round of the event after upsetting second seed and two-time
Movistar Open finalist, Juan Monaco.
Gonzalez bounced back from being one set down against Brazilian Joao Souza; thus, prevailing 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 in his first round match. In a match that stretched a little over two hours, Gonzalez struck two aces, capitalized on Souza’s
six double faults and lost only 24 of 78 points on service to make it into the next round. The Argentine saved 67 per cent of the break points and converted four of 10 break opportunities as he defeated Souza.
Gonzalez won two titles on clay courts in the ATP Challenger Tour last year. He now moves into his first ATP Tour quarterfinal since his 2009 run at Bucharest.
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