Following an amazing run of form, Nicolas Almagro stands just two victories away from a third successive ATP World Tour title

Nicolas Almagro has made a sensational start to the season, and currently has a 15-2 record for 2011. The Spaniard extended his stay at the ATP Acapulco Open on Thursday, by grinding out a 7-6, 5-7, 6-4 victory over Santiago Giraldo, and will now be preparing for a semi-final showdown against Thomaz Bellucci.

Bellucci opened his campaign here in style, with a 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 victory over No. 2 seed Fernando Verdasco. The Brazilian has yet to win a match in straight sets this week, though his progress has been nothing short of impressive. Whilst Bellucci deserves his place in the semi-finals, Lukasz Kubot helped him out to some extent in the quarters. Kubot’s serve was wild throughout, and he’d hit 9 double faults by the end of the contest.

Entering this match, Almagro has a 1-0 head to head record against Bellucci. The only meeting between the pairing occurred last season in Miami, where Almagro clinched a 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(3) win. This could be a close match, and whilst Almagro will enter as favourite, Bellucci should not be overlooked.