SAO PAULO (AP)—Fifth-seeded Carlos Berlocq of Argentine defeated Eric Prodon of France 6-4, 6-0 in the first round of the Brazil Open on Tuesday.
The 42nd-ranked Berlocq, runner-up at the Vina Del Mar VTR Open last week, saved five break points in the first set. He cruised to victory with three straight service breaks in the second, with Prodon double-faulting four times.
Earlier Tuesday, Spanish qualifier Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo, the oldest player in the main draw at 34, needed 2 hours to defeat Rui Machado of Portugal 6-3, 1-6, 6-2.
South America’s biggest city is hosting the clay-court event for the first time after 11 editions in the northeastern city of Costa do Sauipe.