ATP News : 2005


Nalbandian hopes to use Madrid Masters as springboard to Shanghai

Madrid (dpa) - David Nalbandian staked his claim on a possible last-minute place in the season-final Masters Cup as last year's finalist at the Masters Series Madrid took a step into the third round Tuesday.


With less than three weeks remaining before the November 13 start in Shanghai between the eight best players in the world, four qualifying spots remain unclaimed. Fifth seed Nalbandian took the first step towards possibly lifting one of them with a 7-6 (7-1), 6-3 win over Austrian Jurgen Melzer to book into the Madrid third round after an opening bye.

The 2004 losing finalist in Spain to Marat Safin could vastly improve his position in the chase with a title here; even a semi-final appearance would be of much use. "Mathematically I've got chances, and I think I can win this tournament. If I do, then I'll be close to the Masters," said the optimistic Argentine, ninth in the world and 12th in the race to China.

Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Safin and Andy Roddick have already qualified into the year-end field. Elsewhere in Madrid, Spain's 11th-seeded David Ferrer ended the run of Argentine qualifier Agustin Calleri 6-3, 4-6, 6-4. while U.S. Open semi-finalist Robby Ginepri, seeded 16, left France without a player in the field through his defeat of Sebastien Grosjean 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Both of Belgium's Rochus brothers won first-round encounters, with Christophe defeating Frenchman Gael Monfils 6-4, 6-4 and Olivier putting out Czech Tomas Berdych 1-6, 7-6 (8-6), 6-3.

Spain's popular Carlos Moya rolled past Italian Filippo Volandri 6-1, 6-2 as the 29-year-old veteran improved his record this season to 31-19. Argentine Jose Acasuso moved through to the second round when Russian Mikhail Youzhny quit injured 6-7 (5), 6-3, 2-0.

Greg Rusedski came up short in an ace duel with Croatian Iva Karlovic, crashing out in a war of nerves and serves 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-2), 7-6 (7-3). The Briton was able to produce just nine aces, compared to an imposing 24 for Karlovic, a giant of 2.08 metres.



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