Agassi, Nadal Into Quarterfinals at ATP Montreal
Posted on August 12, 2005Top seed Rafael Nadal is slowly silencing doubters of his hardcourt skills, on Thursday defeating fastcourt-specialist Sebastien Grosjean 6-4, 6-4 to advance into the quarterfinals at the ATP Masters Series-Canada in Montreal.
"The fact that I didn't have much time to rest after last night didn't change anything," said Nadal, who was not broken once on serve during the match. "I think that taking his serve early in the match really helped me a lot. I'm very happy because in this tournament I think I never lost my serve. That's new for me."
Other seeded players into the quarters were (4) Andre Agassi (d. Kiefer), (6) Gaston Gaudio (d. (11) Robredo), and (8) Mariano Puerta (d. Malisse).
"I've played No. 1-in-the-world tennis before and there wasn't a time when I ever felt like a favorite," Agassi said on possibly being favored for the Montreal title. "It was always a match at a time for me. During all the years with Pete (Sampras), everybody would talk about the finals. I think Pete and I were the only two guys not thinking about that."
Slovak Karol Beck upset (5) Nikolay Davydenko 7-6 in the third to lead four un-seeds into the quarters, including France's Paul-Henri Mathieu (d. O.Rochus), Brit Greg Rusedski (d. Ancic in three), and fellow Slovak Dominik Hrbaty (d. Ferrero).
"I've never beaten him before so I am really pleased," said Rusedski of Ancic, who played like he needed an expresso shot during a changeover. "It was a really solid third set. I really came out strong mentally for that third set and that was the key. I've worked really hard this past year and a half and I've had a good run being healthy which is a big bonus. Now it is starting to pay off and I'm pleased about that and I look forward to continuing to play well."
On tap for the Friday quarterfinal round are Mathieu vs. Beck, (1) Nadal vs. (8) Puerta in a French Open rematch, (6) Gaudio vs. (4) Agassi, and Dominik "The Dominator" Hrbaty vs. "Grinning" Greg Rusedski.
"Agassi is the most favorite, I think," said Nadal, reflecting on his No. 1 seeding for the event. "He won a tournament two weeks ago and he's playing good on these courts, so he's the favorite. I hope to play him and if I make the semifinals, there's a chance. I'm in fourth round -- there's a long way to go. For me to play the final here would be unbelievable and if I play Andre Agassi it would be unbelievable, too."
"The fact that I didn't have much time to rest after last night didn't change anything," said Nadal, who was not broken once on serve during the match. "I think that taking his serve early in the match really helped me a lot. I'm very happy because in this tournament I think I never lost my serve. That's new for me."
Other seeded players into the quarters were (4) Andre Agassi (d. Kiefer), (6) Gaston Gaudio (d. (11) Robredo), and (8) Mariano Puerta (d. Malisse).
"I've played No. 1-in-the-world tennis before and there wasn't a time when I ever felt like a favorite," Agassi said on possibly being favored for the Montreal title. "It was always a match at a time for me. During all the years with Pete (Sampras), everybody would talk about the finals. I think Pete and I were the only two guys not thinking about that."
Slovak Karol Beck upset (5) Nikolay Davydenko 7-6 in the third to lead four un-seeds into the quarters, including France's Paul-Henri Mathieu (d. O.Rochus), Brit Greg Rusedski (d. Ancic in three), and fellow Slovak Dominik Hrbaty (d. Ferrero).
"I've never beaten him before so I am really pleased," said Rusedski of Ancic, who played like he needed an expresso shot during a changeover. "It was a really solid third set. I really came out strong mentally for that third set and that was the key. I've worked really hard this past year and a half and I've had a good run being healthy which is a big bonus. Now it is starting to pay off and I'm pleased about that and I look forward to continuing to play well."
On tap for the Friday quarterfinal round are Mathieu vs. Beck, (1) Nadal vs. (8) Puerta in a French Open rematch, (6) Gaudio vs. (4) Agassi, and Dominik "The Dominator" Hrbaty vs. "Grinning" Greg Rusedski.
"Agassi is the most favorite, I think," said Nadal, reflecting on his No. 1 seeding for the event. "He won a tournament two weeks ago and he's playing good on these courts, so he's the favorite. I hope to play him and if I make the semifinals, there's a chance. I'm in fourth round -- there's a long way to go. For me to play the final here would be unbelievable and if I play Andre Agassi it would be unbelievable, too."