Brazilian pair through to quarter-finals at Rio Open

Rio De Janeiro, Feb 19: Brazilian pair Marcelo Melo and Bruno Soares got off to the perfect start in the Rio Open on Thursday, comfortably overcoming compatriots Fabiano de Paula and Orlando Luz 2-0.

Melo, the current number one doubles player in the world, and Soares, winner at the Australian Open in the doubles competition, beat their opponents 6-2, 6-3 to sail into the next round, reports Xinhua.

The match had in fact begun on Wednesday evening, but was postponed due to heavy rainfall in Rio de Janeiro. The pair were 2-0 up in the first set when play was called off yesterday evening.

Under the strong sun today, the Brazilian duo wasted little time in dispatching their limited opponents.

Melo and Soares will be back in action Friday in the quarter-finals. They will meet the winners of the doubles clash between Dusan Lajovic/Dominic Thiem and Alexandr Dolgopolov/Daniel Munoz de la Nava.