Nalbandian Closing on Mattress Mac at ATP Basel
Posted on October 31, 2004No. 4 seed David Nalbandian came one step closer to another meeting with his buddy, Masters Cup promoter Jim "Mattress Mac" McIngvale, Saturday at the ATP stop in Basel defeating No. 7 seed Nicolas "The Golden Child" Massu 6-3, 6-4 to gain the final.
It is the third consecutive Basel final for the Argentine, who won in 2002, and last year could not contest the final after suffering a wrist injury.
"I played here three times and I've reached the final three times," said the generic-quote-machine Nalbandian. "Tomorrow I will try and play my best."
Nalbandian is currently fighting for one of the three remaining Masters Cup spots in the eight man field. At last year's Masters Cup in Houston, Nalbandian screamed at Mattress Mac during his match when the promoter openly cheered his American opponent, and said the Texas millionaire had "a lack of respect toward the players."
In the Basel final the Argentine will face unseeded Jiri Novak, who blew past unseeded Austrian Stefan "Tony" Koubek 6-4, 6-0.
Nalbandian and Novak have never before faced each other.
"He is a very tough player, he plays well indoors," Nalbandian said, breaking down the upcoming match in breadth and depth. "It's going to be a very tough match, best of five sets, so anything can happen."
The doubles final will be Arnold/Hood (d. (1) Knowles/Nestor in the semifinals) against (2) Bryan/Bryan (d. Ancic/Ljubicic in three).
It is the third consecutive Basel final for the Argentine, who won in 2002, and last year could not contest the final after suffering a wrist injury.
"I played here three times and I've reached the final three times," said the generic-quote-machine Nalbandian. "Tomorrow I will try and play my best."
Nalbandian is currently fighting for one of the three remaining Masters Cup spots in the eight man field. At last year's Masters Cup in Houston, Nalbandian screamed at Mattress Mac during his match when the promoter openly cheered his American opponent, and said the Texas millionaire had "a lack of respect toward the players."
In the Basel final the Argentine will face unseeded Jiri Novak, who blew past unseeded Austrian Stefan "Tony" Koubek 6-4, 6-0.
Nalbandian and Novak have never before faced each other.
"He is a very tough player, he plays well indoors," Nalbandian said, breaking down the upcoming match in breadth and depth. "It's going to be a very tough match, best of five sets, so anything can happen."
The doubles final will be Arnold/Hood (d. (1) Knowles/Nestor in the semifinals) against (2) Bryan/Bryan (d. Ancic/Ljubicic in three).