Bellucci Shocks Ferrer With Dominating Performance

(April 18, 2012) David Ferrer had never lost a set to Thomaz Bellucci, and last year’s Monte-Carlo finalist hadn’t lost a match on clay in 2012. In sixty-eight minutes, the mighty racquet of the 24-year-old Brazilian took care of both, sending Ferrer, 12-0 on clay with three titles in 2012, to a deflating early exit.

Bellucci, who notched his fourth top ten win in the last two seasons (all on clay), broke Ferrer in his first service game of each set, and never faced a break point on serve in the surprisingly breezy 6-3, 6-2 win. Bellucci used a wide range of shots to keep Ferrer off balance today, and he had a field day with Ferrer’s second serve, winning 14 of 23 of those points.

He also unleashed a surprisingly powerful two-handed backhand and sprinkled in some devilishly good drop shots, like the one at 4-2, deuce in the first set that enabled him to maintain his slim one-break margin. Ferrer was behind for much of the match, but he still displayed his vintage pugilism to keep things close. But whenever the Spaniard climbed within striking distance, Bellucci seemed to come up with a big—and I do mean BIG—shot to keep him at bay.

When Ferrer missed a backhand long to give Bellucci the double break in the fifth game of set 2, the only questions that remained to be answered were about the Brazilian’s stamina and nerve. Bellucci answered them both.

“I didn’t play well,” Ferrer said afterwards. “But my opponent, he was better than me. He plays very aggressive, very consistent.” Bellucci was down love-30 in the very next game, but he connected a series of brilliant shots, luring Ferrer to the net then passing him with a sizzling backhand that kissed the outside of the line.

He won the next three points to lead 5-1. After a quick Ferrer hold, Bellucci stepped to the line to serve it out. A huge gust of wind that stirred up a red cloud of clay was the only thing that could delay Bellucci’s progress at that point. He took a moment at 40-0 to wait for it to die down, then played another dominating point, finishing it off with a massive forehand that glanced off Ferrer’s racquet even though it was hit right to his backhand side.

Regardless of how well Ferrer did or didn’t play today (commentators alluded to rumors that he had suffered an arm injury this week in practice), Bellucci’s effort was more than just mildly impressive. He used all the right shots at all the right times, and when the pressure mounted, he had an answer for everything Ferrer threw at him.

Bellucci will play Robin Haase in third-round action tomorrow.