The Semifinal spots were all claimed in a day of double duty for most players in Costa do Sauipe.
No. 9 seed and native Brazilian Ricardo Mello (pictured) gave his home country fans something to cheer about as he advanced to the semifinals with a 7-5, 6-1 victory over Spain's Santiago Ventura.
After a close first set, the two players traded breaks of serve in the first two games of the second, with the Brazilian taking the next five to close out the match.
In a very close two set battle, Alberto Martin of Spain pulled off a 7-6(6), 6-4 upset over No. 7 seed Mariano Zabaleta. The Argentine broke at 3-2 in the first, but Martin broke right back and they held serve until the tie break.
Martin led 5-2 and 6-4 in the tiebreaker and eventually took the first set at 8-6. The Spaniard then converted three of seven break opportunities in the second to close out the match in two hours, 16 minutes.
Qualifier Peter Luczak of Australia most certainly earned his spot in the semifinals after winning two, three set matches on Thursday. Early in the day, the Australian defeated Brazilian Andre Sa 3-6, 6-3, 6-0 to stake his claim on the quarterfinals where he faced fellow qualifier Edgardo Massa.
Massa and Luczak split the first two sets of this one hour, 49 minute match. The Australian proved to powerful in the third, breaking his opponent twice and saving the only break point he faced on his serve to earn the 1-6, 7-5, 6-1 win.
No. 6 seed Rafael Nadal needed three sets in his second match of the day as he bounced Argentine Agustin Calleri in a late night 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-4 thriller. The rising Spanish star will now take on Ricardo Mello in the semifinals.
WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID:
Mello: " It was a strange day because I played one set this morning and my opponent retired. Against Santiago Ventura this afternoon, I wasn't concentrated at the beginning of the match and was 5-2 down right away."
"I am really happy to be playing in my second career semifinal [Delray Beach] and even more, because it is here in Brazil. This tournament is very special for me and I wanted to do well."
"I don't know my opponent yet but I know it will be a difficult match. I look forward to tomorrow."
Martin: "It's been a difficult match mentally and physically. We both had many opportunities to break especially in the first set. The set could have gone both ways."
"In the second, I led most of the time and served for the match at 5-3. He broke me and again, it became really tight."
"I know that when I play against Mariano [Zabaleta] it's always a difficult match but I am happy I was able to win today."
Luczak: " I started the match a little bit slow but he also played very well. I told myself to hang in there because , you never know, he's had a difficult 7-6 in the third earlier today and he is probably a little tired. I was lucky to win the second set and in the third I think he was really tired and gave up."
"This is my first career semifinal and probably the most special moment in my career so far. I am getting a lot of emails and text messages from the people back home and it is great to have so much support."
"I play now against Alberto Martin who is a very tough player but I have nothing to lose and will be the underdog."
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