GENEVA, May 22, 2015
The three top-seeds dropped out on Thursday and the remaining four semi-finalists at the Geneva Open attempted to book a first spot in a final on the ATP World Tour this year. The weather improved with a lot of sunshine and pleasant temperatures up to 20 degrees Celsius on Day 6, representing nice conditions for the final four.
In the ninth meeting between Thomaz Bellucci and Santiago Giraldo, the Brazilian emerged victorious for the fifth time. Bellucci didn’t have to face a single break point and capitalized on three of his own, winning 6-3, 6-4 in 70 minutes.
Santiago Giraldo missed to reach his first final of the season
Thomaz Bellucci advanced to his first final in 2015
“Today was my best match this week. Giraldo doesn’t have a big serve, so I was trying to put pressure on his second service. It was a bit windy today, so both players missed a bit more balls than usual. You cannot play your best tennis in these conditions. You need to be focused but I think I was pretty solid from the baseline,” the world number 60 analysed his victory today and added that reaching the top 50 again is his goal this season. Switzerland seems to be a good place for Bellucci in order to meet this objective. He has already claimed two of his three ATP World Tour titles here, winning in Gstaad in 2009 and 2012.
“It seems like this is my favourite place to play. I do not know why but I feel very relaxed here. The weather is ok, it’s not too hot. I like the conditions on court, balls are bouncing very high, which is very good for my serve,” Bellucci told and also enjoys the atmosphere at Lake Geneva.
“We went out every night to have dinner. I know that the city is close to our hotel, maybe just three blocks away. It is very nice here and the lake is beautiful. I enjoy the life here in Geneva,” the leftie said and added that he will remain 100 percent focused on the tournament here and hasn’t had a look at the draw at Roland Garros. “I do not want to see the draw. After tomorrow’s final I will check my first round opponent in Paris.”
Thomaz Bellucci in post match press conference
In the second semi-final Joao Sousa defeated Federico Delbonis winning 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 to set a first meeting with Bellucci on Saturday. Sousa converted a crazy second match point after one hour and 52 minutes, when he slipped at the baseline but held the ball in play sitting on the ground and Delbonis netted his following shot.
Federico Delbonis lost against Sousa for the first time in their second tour meeting
Joao Sousa eyes to capture his second ATP World Tour title on Saturday
“I fell down and I do not exactly know how I hit it to the other side of the net. I just tried my best and unfortunately to him, he missed the ball,” Sousa described the final scene.
“With Pablo I beat a great player on clay courts saving four match points yesterday. I am really happy to be here in another final, my fourth in my career and I hope to do well tomorrow,” the world number 50 told meeting Bellucci tomorrow.
“Of course we speak the same language but I have never played him before. We both are on the tour for a certain time and I know him and he knows me. I will give everything winning the title here tomorrow.”
Joao Sousa is looking to capture his second career title
