Moya, Spaniards Surge, Gaudio Gutted at Acapulco

Posted on February 23, 2005

Top-seeded Carlos Moya (d. (Q) N.Lapentti) led the Spanish seeded contingent into the second round Tuesday at the ATP claycourt stop in Acapulco, joined by (7) Dave Ferrer (d. Ricardo Mello "Yello" in three) and (8) Rafael Nadal (d. countryman Calatrava).

"Finally I managed to beat Nicolas," said Moya of the elder Lapentti brother. "He is one of my best friends and I am happy for him to see he is playing much better now. I wish him all the best of luck."

Nadal, who struggled at times during his straight-set win over Calatrava, says he hopes to play his way into the event as the week progresses.

"It was my first match here and I am very happy the way the result went since I did not play great," The Prodigy said. "Alex is a very experienced guy and I am still learning. I like this tournament and I hope I can make it to quarters or semis so that I can collect some important points for the year."

The only non-Spanish seed sprouting on Tuesday, No. 6-seeded Italian Filippo Volandri, took out Argentina's Mariano Zabaleta in straight sets.

No. 2 seed Gaston Gaudio retired at one set apiece against Czech Tomas Zib with acute hip pain, the injury du jour these days with players forced to react quicker to balls launched by the modern super-racquets.

"I have to make some tests tomorrow to see the reality," said the current Roland Garros holder Gaudio with a line straight out of The Matrix. "I felt some pain on my left hip and want to check it out. I don't know if it will be one day, one week or one month off, we'll see."

Three unseeded Spaniards also moved into the second round in Felix Mantilla (d. (WC) Gallardo Valles baking the 1-and-1 breadsticks), Oscar Hernandez (d. countryman D.Sanchez), and Al Martin (d. Vanek 6-0, then 7-6 in the third), joined by French qualifier Nicolas Devilder (d. Acasuso).

Playing in the dirt-box Wednesday at Acapulco are Calleri vs. Juan "The Principality" Monaco, Ventura vs. (8) The Prodigy in an all-Spanish, (3) Canas vs. (Q) Devilder, (1) Moya vs. (WC) Puerta in an all-veteran, Montanes vs. Zib, (5) Novak vs. O.Hernandez, (6) Volandri vs. A.Martin, and another all-ESP in Mantilla vs. (7) Ferrer.