Nalbandian v Bolelli

Nalbandian and Bolelli both meet here at Sao Paulo for the very first time with Bolelli looking the stronger player on better form. Nalbandian hasn't played much tennis so far this year though, in fact this is only his second tournament, but he has played well so far beating Pella and a very good victory over Almagro in the quarter final. I was surprised when Almagro lost as i have always thought he's the better player on clay but Nalbandian definitely proved himself in that match and showed why he is worthy of a semi-final spot.

Neither Bolelli nor Nalbandian have played much on clay so far this season, only three matches for both of them including this tournament. Looking at form as far back as August 2012 we can see that Boleli has reached the final back in San Marino, the quarter finals in the Cordenons Challenger and the semis in Genova.

This is Bolellis first visit to Sao Paulo at this tournament with all three matches on the road to this semi final being straight sets. Nalbandian struggled slightly in his first round performance against Aguilar which eventually took three sets for him to make it into the second round. Previous to this tournament Nalbandian has performed well here before, reaching the quarter finals last year before being knocked out by Filippo Volandri. I was shocked to see Almagro leave today i really was, and i think so far this tournament Nalbandian has really shown his true colours and performed very well. Bolelli has also played really well not dropping a single set and he has faced tough competition too.

I honestly believe that this match will be more about experience and mental stamina. Nalbandian may be the older player but whenever i have watched him i have always seen great effort put into his matches. Usually i would say that because Nalbandian has played alot of games this tournament and only been able to win one match in straight sets, that the tiredness would get to him, but he such a fighter on the court and just doesn't give up. His mental stamina is better than many and i believe that's one of the things which has got him to this point in the competition. I think the experience and mental strength will prevail in this matchup so i have to go with Nalbandian.

Nalbandian hopefully wins....haven't seen him play well since he won Washington.

Yeh he hasn't played much tennis and till the other day i still thought he hadn't been playing in this competitiion, was only till someone told me he was playing here when i started to watch him. He can be tank when he wants to be and really play.

Wouldn't be surprised if bolelli won this and Nadal wins the final. if nalbandian wins though, Nadal could have a tough final. if it is nalbandian, i feel bad but i would want him to win the title. would be sad to see him lose to a sub par Nadal. if bolelli wins then i don't care who wins really. i like bolelli and it would be a big scalp to beat Nadal but Nadal really needs to beat someone like bolelli or he will feel like crap..

tipsytennis said:

Nalbandian and Bolelli both meet here at Sao Paulo for the very first time with Bolelli looking the stronger player on better form. Nalbandian hasn't played much tennis so far this year though, in fact this is only his second tournament, but he has played well so far beating Pella and a very good victory over Almagro in the quarter final. I was surprised when Almagro lost as i have always thought he's the better player on clay but Nalbandian definitely proved himself in that match and showed why he is worthy of a semi-final spot.

Neither Bolelli nor Nalbandian have played much on clay so far this season, only three matches for both of them including this tournament. Looking at form as far back as August 2012 we can see that Boleli has reached the final back in San Marino, the quarter finals in the Cordenons Challenger and the semis in Genova. . . .

Click to expand...

thing is there are only seven weeks in the year/season so far ..... still, bolelli has played four tournaments, while the brazil open is nalbandian's first of the year ..... but even tho bolelli is, like almagro, younger and more match tough than nalby, still the fact that this is indoors, where nalby tends to shine, gives the edge to nalbywonkinobe!