Alex Bogomolov Jr. struggles past Thomaz Bellucci into the semi-final – Farmers Classic 2011
American Alex Bogomolov Jr. gave the home crowd a reason to celebrate by ousting fourth seed Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci from the Farmers Classic in a three set 1-6, 6-4, 6-1 thriller. Falling back in the first set, Bogomolov broke
free from Bellucci’s reigns in the remaining two sets to power on with indestructible might.
Friday’s match between the two players lasted for a considerably lengthy, albeit thoroughly entertaining two hours at the Straus Stadium on campus at the University College Los Angeles (UCLA). Bogomolov’s outstanding display of
skill steered him to his first semi final showdown at an ATP Tour event of the current season.
The world No. 64 American came into the tournament with a lowly 10-9 win-loss standing, devoid of even a single ATP title. Earlier in the month, Bogomolov had suffered a humiliating dismissal in a first round match at Atlanta.
However, a reinvigorated Bogomolov outclassed qualifier Greg Jones and seventh seed Grigor Dimitrov in the opening rounds to clock in his career’s best performance at the Farmers Classic.
The 34th ranked Bellucci had been the favourite to win Friday’s match but he struggled to match his inform opponent’s technical prowess. The Brazilian, who had been on a sabbatical since Wimbledon, had been hoping in
vain to make a comeback on the ATP Tour circuit, before commencement of play at the Flushing Meadows, using this tournament as a spring board.
This was the two players’ first meeting.
Bellucci made quick work of his opponent in the match’s first set, representative of his higher ranking and greater experience. However Bogomolov returned from his initial set back in a ferocious manner taking down the Brazilian
efficiently in the next two sets. The first set ended quickly enough in Bellucci’s favour at 1-6, mainly because of his ability to register two decisive set breaks against Bogomolov’s none. However tables turned in the second and third set, which witnessed
a flurry of breakpoints – a total of 7 of which 5 were in Bogomolov’s account and 2 in Bellucci’s.
Overall the victor Bogomolov led the points’ race with 84 points, of which 46 were service points and 38 return points. Contrary to this, Bellucci managed to make do with a total of only 79 points, 44 service points and 35 return
points.
Bogomolov is now comfortably nestled amongst the top 4 with his compatriots the top seed Mardy Fish and Ryan Harrison, no mean feat for the 64th ranked American. He faces Latvian Ernests Gulbis in the semi finals’ match.
Gulbis had wreaked havoc on second seed Juan Martin Del Potro in their third round match earlier today.
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