Thomaz Bellucci edges over Rui Machado in the opening round – Heineken Open 2012
Sixth seed Thomaz Bellucci fended off late resistance by the Portuguese Rui Machado to advance into the second round of the Heineken Open 2012 on Monday. He penned down a 6-3, 7-6(3) victory over the Lisbon resident at this
ATP World Tour 250 series event, taking place on the outdoor hard courts in Auckland, New Zealand.
A former world number 21, Bellucci outsmarted the Portuguese, ranked 69th in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, in their second meeting. After an hour and 42 minutes long duel, the
Brazilian not only extended lead in the head-to-head series by 2-0 against Machado but also inched closer to the $436,000 prize money.
The Tiete-born Bellucci stepped at the ASB Tennis Centre with conviction and held his opening serve to take the initial lead. He maintained his intensity and continued plucking in remaining serves. The Brazilian capitalised
on a break chance in the sixth game and subsequently clinched the opener by winning six games to three.
24-year-old kept momentum sailing into the following set and held his opening serve in the second game to level the scores at 1-1. He fired four aces and angled shots to swipe in remaining serve but failed to convert any
of the four break opportunities. The set went to a tie-breaker where the higher ranked player showed his true colours and triumphed the set with a 7-6(3) score line.
Summing up the sixth seed’s performance, Bellucci hammered seven aces, committed fewer unforced errors and registered an impressive 81 percent win on his first serve share. The Brazilian dusted away the only breakpoint he
came across found six break opportunities.
Bellucci is eyeing for his ninth career title. He failed to grab one last year and won only three out of his last thirteen matches. However, the Brazilian opened this season with a great start after earning a straight set
victory against Machado.
Next up for the Brazilian is the winner of the match between the German, Olivier Rochus and a qualifier who is yet to be decided.
Seventh seed Donald Young faced a different fate as he crashed out from the opening round of this tournament. He bagged the opener with a 6-4 victory but was outmuscled by the Colombian Alejandro Falla in almost two hours.
The American converted three out of nine break chances to his advantage but saved six out of eleven breakpoints he faced, eventually suffering a 4-6, 3-6, 3-6 loss in their second meeting.
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