Movistar Open

Bellucci, Monaco Advance To Santiago Final

Santiago, Chile

On Saturday the No. 29-ranked Monaco used his experience to outclass Souza, a 21 year old competing in the semi-finals of his first-ever ATP World Tour main draw. Monaco didn't give Souza a break point in the first set while he converted both of those he held on his opponent's serve, taking a one-set lead in just over half an hour.

The second set was a tighter affair with Souza breaking Monaco's serve and lifting his first serve percentage and success rate. However, Monaco fought off the challenge and closed out the win after 73 minutes.

"I think I played solid during the whole match," Monaco said. "I didn't make too many mistakes and felt I served pretty well."

Monaco will take a 3-6 lifetime record in ATP World Tour singles finals into Sunday's championship match, with his three wins all coming on clay in 2007 (Kitzbuhel, Poertschach and Buenos Aires).

Bellucci prevented a repeat of the 2008 final with a come-from-behind win on Friday night over local hero, defending champion and No. 1 seed Gonzalez.

Gonzalez, whose title runs came in 2002, 2004, 2008 and 2009, led 6-3, 4-2 before Bellucci surged to win the next five games. In his first three service games of the third set Gonzalez saved four break points, but 22-year-old Bellucci succeeded on his fifth attempt to lead 5-3. He served out to love for a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory, moving into his third career ATP World Tour singles final after one hour, 54 minutes.

"I'm very happy to be in the final," said a jubilant Bellucci. "Gonzalez is a very good player, an idol in Chile, and to beat him here gives me a lot of confidence for tomorrow and the rest of the reason.

"I started the match a little nervous but then was able to play my game and turn the match around."

Bellucci is 1-1 lifetime in ATP singles finals, winning in Gstaad and finishing runner-up on home soil at Costa do Sauipe, both in 2009. It will be the first meeting between Monaco and Bellucci, with the winner to take home $68,450 and the runner-up $35,980.

"Monaco is a great player, with a lot of experience," Bellucci said. "It will be a tough match but I hope I can win the title in Santiago."

"Bellucci is an up and coming player who is probably in the best moment of his career," Monaco said of his finals opponent.