COSTA DO SAUIPE, Brazil (AP)—Top-seeded Juan Carlos Ferrero beat Ricardo Mello of Brazil 6-4, 6-2 Saturday to reach the Brazil Open final.
The Spaniard next plays Poland’s Lukasz Kubot, who upset fourth-seeded Igor Andreev of Russia 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 to advance.
The 27-year-old Kubot served nine aces in beating the Russian in just under two hours on the outdoor clay court.
“I’m shocked at the moment,” Kubot said. “I didn’t expect to reach the final here. I had two choices: play outdoors clay or go to Europe and play indoors hard. I chose to come here. I like to play on clay and outside. The weather is fantastic and I like the atmosphere of the Latin American events.”
Kubot is aiming for his first ATP title in just his second tour final. It will be his first career match against former world No. 1 Ferrero.