Almagro to play for title in Brazil

COSTA DO SAUIPE, Brazil, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Top-seeded Nicolas Almagro overcame a slow start Friday to defeat Juan Ignacio Chela and earn a spot in the championship match of the Brazil Open.

Almagro ran his match record in 2011 to 8-2 with a 1-6, 6-2, 6-4 decision over Chela. This was their sixth meeting and Almagro has won four of them.

Almagro's opponent in the title match will be Alexandr Dolgopolov, who reached an ATP Tour final for the first time.

Dolgopolov coasted past Ricardo Mello in the semifinals 6-2, 6-1. He will be facing Almagro for the first time.

Almagro has won seven tour tournaments, all of them on clay. This event is also being played on clay.