DELRAY BEACH, Florida, 21 September 2004 — Brazilian Ricardo Mello made his first appearance in an ATP final a memorable one on Sunday as he upset top seed Vince Spadea to win the Millennium International hardcourt crown.
Mello beat the American 7-6 (7-2), 6-3, finishing off the last remaining seeded player left in the draw. Mello became the ninth player to claim his first career title this year. Spadea was also among that number, having captured his first title in March in Scottsdale, Arizona, in his 223rd career ATP start.
Safina Sets Up Clash With Top Seed Williams
In Beijing, Dinara Safina outclassed Chinese challenger Zi Yan of China, 6-3, 6-2 yesterday, setting up a second-round clash with top seed Serena Williams at the $585,000 China Open.
Wimbledon holder Maria Sharapova takes on Tatiana Panova, who advanced when Slovenian Tina Pisnik retired trailing 6-0 with a left neck strain.
Other day one winners included Maria Vento-Kabchi of Venezuela, who overcame Flavia Pennetta of Italy 7-6 (7 5), 6-4 and Spain’s Anabel Medina Garrigues, who put out Japan’s Saori Obata 7-5, 6-1. Sixth seed Gisela Dulko stopped Aniko Kapros of Hungary 6-4, 6-1.
Safina, whose big brother Marat Safin lifted his 12th career title here Sunday, had to get through challenging conditions. “It was so windy. It was very difficult to play,” said the world No. 48.
