SAO PAULO (AP) Sixth-seeded Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain lost to Leonardo Mayer of Argentina 7-6 (6), 6-2 in the first round of the Brazil Open on Wednesday.
Mayer broke Ferrero twice in the second set and saved all five break points he faced to win the match in nearly two hours at the Ibirapuera sporting complex. The 24-year-old Mayer, ranked 80th in the world, had 11 aces, including eight in the first set.
The 43rd-ranked Ferrero, ranked No. 1 in the world in 2003 after winning the French Open, has won only one match this season.