Dolgopolov speeds into semis

Alexandr Dolgopolov Jr moved smoothly into the semi-finals of the Brazil Open with a straight sets win over Potito Starace.

Rising Ukrainian on course for maiden ATP title in Brazil

Alexandr Dolgopolov Jr moved smoothly into the semi-finals of the Brazil Open with a straight sets win over Potito Starace on Thursday. The Ukrainian, a quarter-finalist at last month's Australian Open, needed just 75 minutes to see off his Italian opponent as he fired down ten aces. Dolgopolov will now meet unseeded Brazilian Ricardo Mello and will be confident of reaching a first-ever ATP final at the second of the four tournaments on the Latin American clay-court circuit. All of the quarter-finals proved one-sided affairs as Mello, Nicolas Almagro of Spain and Argentine Juan Ignacio Chela also won with something to spare. Mello crushed Pablo Andujar 6-1 6-0 with the Spaniard unable to reproduce anything like the form that saw him dump out compatriot Tommy Robredo earlier in the week. Chela beat the other surviving home hope, getting the better off third seed Thomaz Bellucci with a facile 6-1 6-2 success. Meanwhile, Almagro was rarely tested as he overcame Portugal's Rui Machado 6-2 6-4.