Rafael Nadal Beats Wang at ATP Beijing

Posted on September 15, 2005

Top-seeded Rafael Nadal beat Taipei's Yeu-Tzuoo Wang 6-2, 6-4 at the ATP stop in Beijing Wednesday to advance to a second-round meeting with the leaping net-crashing American Justin Gimelstob.

Nadal finally got his hands on Wang after the wildcard controversially arrived two days late to the tournament, reportedly from some business in Turkey, but was not defaulted by Chinese officials.

"My confidence was low after I lost (to James Blake) in New York," Nadal said of his attitude before mastering Wang. "But it wasn't very complicated today. I took my chances early and set the tone. I didn't play great but I did enough to win. I lost focus a bit in the second set but only because it was too easy. A few wins will quickly get my confidence level back."

Nadal worked Wang side to side in the straight-set beating, refining his fastcourt technique for the fast-approaching year-end Masters Cup in Shanghai.

After the experience Nadal said Wang cleaned up well, especially after the Spaniard quickly got a grip up 4-1 in the first set.
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"He's had a good year, won (a) challenger last week in Istanbul and he's getting better and better," Nadal said. "I got a good start for a 4-1 lead and felt more comfortable out there which was good for my confidence."

No. 3 seed David Nalbandian (d. (Q) Hadad, bagel in the second) and No. 6 Juan Carlos Ferrero (d. Tursunov) also recorded wins to line up a quarterfinal meeting.

"I missed a few chances to break in the first set which was frustrating," Nalbandian said. "But once I broke to go up 5-4 it all started to go perfectly for me."

Ferrero withstood 15 aces from Tursunov, and won in the second-set tiebreak after dropping his serve at love when serving at 5-4.

Nalbandian sees his chances against the former No. 1 Ferrero, a former US Open finalist whose mojo has also taken a walkabout.

"I saw his match today and I think he played very well," Nalbandian said. "The next match will be different and I think both of us have the same chance to win."

Other winners were No. 4 seed Thomas Johansson (d. Nieminen) and No. 8 seed Carlos Moya (d. Koubek from a set down).

Looking to secure the final quarterfinal spots Thursday will be Peter "Nuclear" Wessels vs. (WC) Y.Wang Jr., (7) Youzhny vs. Udomchoke, (LL) Matsui vs. (2) Guillermo "El Mago" Coria, and (1) Rafael "The Prodigy" Nadal vs. Justin Gimel"blog."