Bellucci Fights His Way Into Houston Final
Bellucci Fights His Way Into Houston Final
Thomaz Bellucci has certainly worked to reach his first final at the Fayez Sarofim & Co. US Men’s Clay Court Championship in Houston. The Brazilian won his fourth consecutive three-set match on Saturday, ending the dream run of #NextGenATP American Ernesto Escobedo 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 in the semi-finals.
Bellucci, who’s making his Houston debut, reaches his first ATP World Tour final of the season and the eighth of his career. The 29-year-old Brazilian will try to win his fifth ATP World Tour title against either top seed Jack Sock or fourth seed Steve Johnson.
“It’s tough to play three sets every day. I didn’t have one day off,” Bellucci said. “I hope to be better tomorrow.”
All four of Bellucci’s titles have come on clay but he hasn’t taken home an ATP World Tour crown since 2015 Geneva. The left-hander made the Quito final last year but fell to Victor Estrella Burgos of the Dominican Republic.
No matter what happens on Sunday, though, the eighth-seeded Bellucci has surpassed his own expectations by reaching the Houston final. “I didn’t expect to play this well because I came Sunday night. I just practised once before the first round,” he said.
Bellucci won 71 per cent of his first-serve points and didn’t face a break point in the third set against Escobedo. He clinched the one-hour and 55-minute match with a service winner.
Escobedo was trying to reach his first ATP World Tour final. The 20-year-old wild card had never won an ATP World Tour match on clay before this week. He became the youngest American to reach the Houston semi-finals since Andy Roddick in 2003.
“I competed hard this week. It was a great tournament, great atmosphere out there. I learned a lot and can’t wait for the future,” Escobedo said. “I feel like I belong on the ATP [World Tour]. My game is there. I just have to work harder and stay disciplined.”
Escobedo entered the ATP World Tour 250 tournament at a career-high No. 91 in the Emirates ATP Rankings and is projected to move to No. 72 when the new rankings are released on Monday.