Spain's Nicolas Almagro wins Brazil Open

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 20 (IANS) Spaniard Niclos Almagro beat Italy's Filippo Volandri to win the Brazil Open tennis for the third time.

For the first time in tournament history, the Brazil Open was played in the city of Sao Paulo, transferring the location from Costa do Sauipe, Bahia.

Although no Brazilian players made it to the final, a festive crowd turned out to watch the contest, which the 11th-ranked Spaniard won 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.

Brazilian tennis sensation Thomaz Bellucci was eliminated in the semi-finals by Volandri. Claiming to be suffering from a sore left ankle, Bellucci said he will not take part in next week's tournament in the ATP 250 in Buenos Aires and will look to return to the court in two weeks' time at the ATP 250 in Acapulco, Mexico.

Also Sunday, Brazil's Burno Soares and American teammate Eric Butorac beat Brazil's Andre Sa and Slovak Michal Mertinak 3-6, 6-4, 10-8, for the men's doubles title.

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