Ferrero into semifinals in Brazil Open, Bellucci upset

Juan Carlos Ferrero defeated Carlos Berloq 6-3, 6-2 to reached the semifinals of the Brazil Openy.

Igor Andreev beat Pablo Cuevas 6-1, 6-1, Lukasz Kubot defeated Fabio Fognini 6-2, 6-2, and Richard Mello upset Thomaz Bellucci 6-3, 7-6 (3).

"I think tactically I played pretty close to perfection," said Mello. "I knew I had to vary the shots, try to play faster at times, and often create angles. I think I was very consistent during the whole match."

"I think Mello played a very good match and credit to him for beating me," said Bellucci. "I started a bit slow in the first set and that probably cost the match. I was playing behind the whole match and only in the end I was able to get some opportunities to win the set.

"I've played a lot of matches in the past two weeks, so now I will get some rest and get ready for Acapulco."

Four second-round matches were played early Friday, matches that were washed out on Thursday.

Bellucci defeated Daniel Gimeno-Traver 6-4, 6-2, and Mello won 7-5, 6-3 over Victor Hanescu. Kubot defeated Albert Montanes 6-2, 6-2, and Fognini came came back to beat Marcel Granollers 0-6, 6-1, 7-6 (1).