Bellucci upsets Gonzalez to reach Movistar finals against Monaco

Bellucci beats Gonzalez to reach finals

SANTIAGO, Chile — Two-time defending champ Fernando Gonzalez was knocked out of his hometown tournament by Thomaz Bellucci on Saturday night.

Third-seeded Bellucci won 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 on Saturday to reach the final of the Movistar Open, where he’ll face against Juan Monaco, who defeated upstart Brazilian qualifier Joao Souza 6-1, 6-4.

Monaco advanced to the Movistar championship in 2008, only to withdraw against Gonzalez because he sprained an ankle in the doubles final the day before.

Gonzalez had won 11 straight matches at the Movistar since his last defeat in the 2007 quarterfinals.

Monaco has made it to his 10th career ATP final, all on clay. Since Monaco’s third and last title at Kitzbuehel, Austria in July 2007, he’s been runner-up five times, including three last year.

Bellucci, a 22-year-old left-hander, will be playing in only his second ATP final. He won earlier this year on clay in Gstaad, Switzerland.

“Monaco will be tough, but I feel very good,” Bellucci said.