Rain Makes for Two-a-Days at WTA Amelia Island; Rios Reportedly Remarries

Posted on April 8, 2005

Nadal Strong, Kuerten Fed a Bagel at ATP Valencia

No. 3 seed Rafael Nadal, gunning for his third consecutive claycourt title and fourth consecutive tournament final, dropped five aces on countryman Guillermo "G-Lo" Garcia-Lopez Thursday at the ATP stop in Valencia, advancing into the quarterfinals with a 6-1, 6-4 win.

"I played well, my legs felt better today," Nadal said. "I thought the first set was actually harder than the second but I feel good because I never had any problems when I was serving. I'm happy to be in the quarterfinals. It is not easy after coming from (the Masters Series event in) Miami."

Gustavo Kuerten, making his debut in Valencia this week after hip surgery, saw his 2005 record fall to 1-1 after a 50-minute 6-2, 6-0 pasting by Spain's Al Martin.

Other winners into the quarterfinals were Spaniard and No. 5 seed Dave Ferrer (d. Labadze) and Russian No. 7 seed Igor Andreev (d. Starace), both in straight sets.

On tap for the Friday quarterfinals are (Q) Navarro Pastor vs. (2) Fernando "Gonzo" Gonzalez, (7) Andreev vs. (3) Rafael "The Prodigy" Nadal, A.Martin vs. (5) Ferrer in an all-Spanish, and Costa vs. (6) Fernando "Hot Sauce" Verdasco in another all-ESP.

"He has improved a lot lately," said Nadal on facing Andreev. "He beat (Juan Carlos) Ferrero in Roland Garros last year. I'm going to have to be very focused to win."

Clement, Monaco Lead Unseeded into Quarters at ATP Casablanca

Comeback Frenchman Arnaud Clement (d. countryman (Q) Gicquel) and Argentine comer Juan Monaco (d. (5) Mayer) led three more unseeded players into the quarterfinals Thursday at the ATP claycourt stop in Casablanca.

"Today was a very difficult match, even if it was 6-4, 6-4, he played unbelievable today and the match could have gone his way in both sets," Clement said. "I don't know what made me win today. Last year I played many matches where I was doing the right things but it was just not going my way. Now, it is the case and I must take advantage of this momentum."

Also advancing was French qualifier Gilles Simon (d. Vanek in three) and No. 6 seed Mariano Puerta (d. Almagro).

On tap for the Friday quarters are (Q) Simon vs. Juan "The Principality" Monaco, (6) Puerta vs. Clement, (7) Muller vs. (2) Volandri, and Zib vs. (8) Christophe "The Roach" Rochus.

Davenport, Zvonareva Only Winners at Wet WTA Amelia Island

Only two matches were completed Thursday at Amelia Island due to rain, with world No. 1 Lindsay Davenport advancing to the quarterfinals with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Czech qualifer Kveta Peschke, and No. 6 seed Vera Zvonareva winning the all-Russian battle with No. 9 Elena Likhovtseva 6-4, 6-4.

"I felt I made a lot of improvements from Tuesday night and that's what you have to do as the tournament goes on, keep improving what you're not doing your best," Davenport said.

When the rains came, No. 5 seed Venus Williams was at a shocking one-set all with Polish qualifier Marta Domachowska, and unseeded Virginie Razzano of France led No. 13 Ai Sugiyama 6-4, 6-6.

Friday's schedule is double-up time in Domachowska vs. Venus (to finish), Sugiyama vs. Razzano (to finish), Pierce vs. Serena, Jankovic vs. Petrova, Schnyder vs. Farina Elia, Myskina vs. Asagoe, then Davenport vs. Domachowska or Venus, Myskina or Asagoe vs. Jankovic or Petrova, Schnyder or Farina Elia vs. Pierce or Serena, Zvonareva vs. Sugiyama or Razzano, and in doubles Molik/Navratilova vs. Daniilidou/Gullickson.

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