Nadal Strong, Kuerten Fed a Bagel at ATP Valencia
Posted on April 8, 2005No. 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."
"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."