Berlocq, Hidalgo win in Brazil
02/14/2012 08:05:43 PM
Carlos Berlocq began his Brasil Open challenge with a straight-sets victory over Eric Prodon in the first round on Tuesday.
Berlocq, seeded fifth for the ATP event in Sao Paulo, dispatched Frenchman Prodon 6-4 6-0 in one hour and 20 minutes.
The Argentine, ranked 61 places above Prodon at 42nd in the world, saved five of the six break points he faced in the match, while breaking his opponent five times throughout.
Also on Tuesday, 34-year-old qualifier Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo overcame Rui Machado of Portugal.
Spaniard Hidalgo, ranked 50 spots below Machado at world number 128, won 6-3 1-6 6-2 in two hours.
Hidalgo will take on Filippo Volandri in the second round - the Italian defeated seventh seed Albert Montanes in straight sets on Monday.
Next up for Berlocq is a match against either Italy's Potito Starace or qualifier Paul Capdeville of Chile.