Ricardo Mello eases past Marcel Felder into last eight – Sao Leopoldo Challenger 2011
Brazilian fifth seed, Ricardo Mello, eased past the Uruguayan star, Marcel Felder, in straight sets 7-5, 6-4 in the second round of Sao Leopoldo Challenger tournament, contested in Brazil, on Thursday November 3rd. The
match was contested in outdoor clay courts and lasted for almost two hours.
Both players had met each other before twice and it was only one man who ruled the show on both occasions, Mello. The result for this match was obvious as well because Brazilian was superior ranked, experienced and had psychological
advantage of previous triumphs.
The house was full at Sao Leopoldo and people turned out to see their veteran pull another thumping victory at his soil. Visitor had his moments in the match but he couldn’t give his optimum performance to make impact and clinch
those crucial match winners.
Abnormal start to the first set with both players trading breaks in the first two games was the most astonishing moments for the crowd. With a difference of just one game another break from the local veteran came; he won the game
after three deuces and took an initial advantage.
The momentum of the match slowed a bit in the midst of the set and both players held their serves to push the score further to 5-3 in favour of the Brazilian. Finally the most awaited break for the visitor came in the ninth game
when he pulled the trail to 5-4 and then equalized at 5-5.
Mello stayed calm and didn’t panic at all with this slight mishap and held his serve to pocket the second last game of the set. Uruguayan needed to capitalize on his serve to make sure the set enters into the tie-break but unfortunately
he couldn’t perform the basics correctly and missed a simple straight forward forehand shot by hitting it straight to the net.
Veteran started the second set with nothing to spare for the visitor and whitewashed him in the first game. He continued his domination in the next game and broke his rival’s serve to clinch second game win as well. He took the
lead of 2-0 and comfortably placed himself for an easy straight set win.
Finally, in the fourth game of the set, visitor held his serve to contain the visitor for some time. Surprisingly an inefficient display in the fifth game by the visitor cost him the second game in succession and score was closed
up to 3-2.
There was no more drama and score went to 4-4. It was time when Brazilian came up with an all-round onslaught and hammered two more aces to clinch the second last game and score two consecutive winners in the next to register a
comprehensive victory in the match.
Fifth seed, Ricardo Mello, lock horns with the fourth seed, Leonardo Mayer, in the quarter-final of the tournament.
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