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| 16 Mar 2002 | |
| Day Five - Friday 15 March 2002 |
Quarterfinals day at the Banana Bowl threw up a very welcome result for Brazil. Local hero Franco Ferreiro put an end to the 15 match winning streak of Marcel Felder (URU) in two easy sets 62 62. Ferreiro from Porto Alegre, has been consistent on the South American Circuit this year, competing in the Uruguay Bowl, Asuncion Bowl (PAR), and the Gerdau Cup (BRA), reaching the semifinals of all three events. Today's victory was sweet revenge for Ferreiro as he suffered a three set loss against Felder last week.
Ferreiro will need all his wits around him in his semifinal match as he will face top seed and World No. 1, Brian Dabul (ARG). Dabul overcame Horia Tecau (ROM) in two tight sets 64 76(3) and now will be setting his sights on the Banana Bowl title which was snatched away from him the 2001 final by Gilles Muller (LUX).
It was not a good day for Uruguayan tennis as their other rising star, Martin Vilarrubi folded against Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis 63 64. Baghdatis already has one Grade A title in the bag, he captured the Osaka Mayor's Cup in Japan last year.
Jorge Aguilar (CHI) was not able to retain the form that saw him overcome No. 2 seed Lamine Ouahab on Day Four, losing out to Steve Darcis (BEL) 75 61. Darcis, ranked No. 20, has not reached the second round of a Grade A event before, but showed his talent at the Asuncion Bowl, Paraguay by reaching the Final.
In the girls' singles, top seed Barbora Strycova (CZE) moved through against Nika Ozegovic (CRO) 64 63 and her semifinal opponent will be No. 4 seed Maria Jose Argeri (ARG) who defeated Tatiana Golovin (FRA) 76(5) 62. Argeri has made her mark on the South American Circuit this year, taking the title in Paraguay and a runner-up position in Uruguay. The Argentine will need all her wits about her when she takes on Strycova who captured the Australian Open title in January.
Champion of the Gerdau Cup last week, Myriam Casanova (SUI) had an easy victory against Galina Voskoboeva (RUS) 64 61. Casanova will face Mariana Correa (ECU) in the semifinal. Correa was pushed all the way by the young Yugoslav Ana Ivanovic (YUG), finally securing victory in a third set tiebreak. The final score 26 75 76(4).
The latest results can be found on , www.bananabowl.netPhotographs by Luiz Doro and Susan Mullane
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