ATP News : 2005


Nothing pretty about Coria win as Argentine advances in Madrid

Madrid (dpa) - Argentine fourth seed Guillermo Coria won ugly but got the job done Wednesday as he opened play at the Masters Series Madrid with a sloppy 6-3, 6-4 victory against Christophe Rochus.


The 2004 French Open finalist admitted his tennis was not a pretty sight: "It was an ugly match, boring for spectators," was his brutal assessment. Added the South American, 54-21 in 2004 with his lone title coming in August at Umag: "The important thing was to win."

But Coria said that going through was a bonus in terms of the tight chase for the last remaining four spots in next month's Masters Cup in Shanghai. With four men already into the field, competition for the remainder is tight. "It's a very important match for me looking forward towards the Masters (from November 13).

"I was not focused and the rhythm was slow," said the South American of his game. "It was difficult to concentrate - it was a good match to forget." Coria last played on the ATP in September, losing the Beijing final to Madrid top seed Rafael Nadal, the teenager who also denied him the Masters Series titles on clay in Monte Carlo and Rome in the spring.

Russian third seed Nikolay Davydenko advanced effortlessly past Slovak Karol Beck 6-4, 6-1. Davydenko reached the semi-finals of Metz this month, losing to eventual champion and Shanghai rival Ivan Ljubicic. The Ukraine-born Russian has won one title this season at St. Poelten, Austria and has played six semi-finals in 2005, including
Roland Garros.

Argentine Jose Acasuso produced a surprise result as he defeated compatriot Gaston Gaudio 7-6 (7-4), 6-2. Swede Thomas Johansson put out another Argentine with his win over Juan Chela 7-6 (7-2), 6-3. Germany's last representative exited as Slovak 14th seed Dominik Hrbaty overwhelmed Tommy Haas 6-4, 6-2.

Brit Tim Henman remained surprisingly optimistic about a season which has fallen down around him leaving the 31-year-old with a ranking of 26th. Henman says he's keen for 2006 as he finally plays pain-free after months of back problems.

But he was unable to mount a fightback when it counted, losing for the second week in a row to Czech tenth seed Radek Stepanek 6-4, 1-6, 6-3. Prior to last week in Vienna, Stepanek was winless from four matches with Henman.

"In terms of the way that I'm moving, the way that I'm feeling on the court, there is certainly a lot to be positive about," said Henman. "In the context of this year, this is not the most important result of my career. I do feel a lot more enthusiastic and a lot more
excited about my game because I'm out there playing pain-free, I've been able to play the way that I want to."



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