Tennis Panorama News

Almagro photo by Marcelo Ferrelli/Inovafoto

By Lucia Hoffman

SAO PAULO, Brazil – The 2012 edition of the Brazil Open moved from Costa do Sauipe to Sao Paulo – but the champion remained the same. Nicolas Almagro who won the tourney in 2008 and 2011 became the biggest winner in the history of the tournament winning his third title on Sunday by defeating Italy’s Filippo Volandri 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.

“Obviously I have a special relationship with Brazil and I’m always happy to return to the country. I wanted to make this clear, so the shirt,” said Almagro.

“This was not my best match here in Brazil, as I was tense and nervous. But once again, I had control of my emotions, which is what I have always demanded, controlling the important moments. I think it’s good to win a tournament and be able to think that I can still play a little better.”

“I am happy. I am on a cloud, winning a tournament three times and twice in a row. It’s hard. I got here and all I want is to continue working to keep improving in my career.”

“I think all titles are equally important in your career. In 2008, it was an amazing tournament. I managed to beat Carlos Moya in a tough final. Then last year, it was the beginning of a run that I really could not have dreamed. I won in Brazil, I won Buenos Aires, and I was very close to winning Acapulco.

“It is always difficult to win two years in a row and this year was just as hard, because it was my third crown. Every title has a great place in my heart and is very difficult to choose one. I take all three and I hope that next year will be four.”

Almagro photo by Marcello Zambrana/Inovafoto

Volandri who was in his first final in the last five years said, “I think I played another very good match today. I tried my best and fought a lot. I think in the third set, I was playing better than him but he was serving unbelievable.”

“This result is more than what I was expecting this week. It gives me a lot of confidence to keep on pushing through. If I am consistent, I can play with all the players, especially on clay.”

Butorac/Soares photo by Marcelo Ferrelli/Inovafoto

Top seeds Eric Butorac from the US and Brazilian Bruno Soares defeated the team of Brazilian Andre Sa and Slovak Michal Mertinak for the doubles crown.
“It’s been a dream week in Brazil,” Butorac said. “I didn’t know what to expect playing on a clay court, in tough conditions with the altitude. Even when things were not great, we managed to find a way to win. A lot of credit goes to Bruno and his family and friends, who’ve shown me a good time and treated me like a member of their family. It’s better than I could have ever expected.”

“I’m really happy to win our first title. It’s been a good start to the year for our partnership, and hopefully we can continue to improve and raise our level throughout the year.”

Soares added, “It’s very nice. We had an amazing week. The atmosphere was great. Having a packed house, with my family watching, makes it a great feeling to win here. I think it comes in a good moment, in my home country. But now we’re going to play bigger tournaments. I think we have the rhythm we need to play well at the larger events.”

Lucia Hoffman was in Sao Paulo covering the Brasil Open for Tennis Panorama.

Photo by Lucia Hoffman

Singles – Final
[1] [WC] N Almagro (ESP) d F Volandri (ITA) 63 46 64

Doubles – Final
[1] E Butorac (USA) / B Soares (BRA) d [4] M Mertinak (SVK) / A Sa (BRA) 36 64 10-8