Fifth-seeded Berlocq advances
SAO PAULO (AP) - Fifth-seeded Carlos Berlocq of Argentine defeated Eric Prodon of France 6-4, 6-0 in the first round of the Brazil Open on Tuesday.
The 42nd-ranked Berlocq, runner-up last week in Chile, saved five break points in the first set. He cruised to victory with three straight service breaks in the second, with Prodon double-faulting four times.
Earlier Tuesday, Spanish qualifier Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo, the oldest player in the main draw at 34, needed two hours to defeat Rui Machado of Portugal 6-3, 1-6, 6-2.
South America's biggest city is hosting the clay-court event for the first time after 11 editions in the northeastern city of Costa do Sauipe.
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