ATP BUENOS AIRES 2004
Buenos Aires
FEBRUARY 20, 2004
Coria, Moya Reach Buenos Aires Semifinals
Rising French star Richard Gasquet created a surprise by upsetting No.3 seed,
Chilean, Nicolas Massu, in a tight 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 match to reach the Buenos
Aires semifinals on Friday. Making his first appearance in the Latin American
tournaments, Gasquet lost to Gaston Gaudio last week in the first round in
Vina del Mar. The Frenchman had never reached a semifinal of an ATP event
before and now will face top-seeded Guillermo Coria.
Last year's finalist Coria improved his clay court winning streak to 18
matches by defeating compatriot and doubles partner Juan Monaco 7-6(8),
3-6,6-1. Coria, who saved one set point in the first set tie-break, hasn't
lost on clay since the Roland Garros' semifinals against Martin Verkerk.
Local Jose Acasuso advanced to the semifinals after defeating David Ferrer
(winner against Gustavo Kuerten in the first round), 7-5, 7-6(5). Acasuso
was up 5-2 in the second set but needed a tie-break to triumph. The
Argentine, who currently holds an INDESIT ATP Entry Ranking of 101, reached
the final in Buenos Aires in 2001.
In a remarkable battle, sixth-seeded Mariano Zabaleta came close to ending
Carlos Moya's winning streak in Buenos Aires. Moya, who has never lost a
match here, recorded his 13th consecutive win by defeating local Zabaleta,
5-7, 7-6(4), 6-4. The Spaniard triumphed in Buenos Aires in 1995 and 2003
and will attempt tomorrow to reach his third final when he faces Acasuso.
The native from Palma de Mallorca has played six tie-breaks in 2004, winning
all-six.
WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID
Gasquet: “What is happening is just great. It is fabulous to win tough
matches like that. Massu is a great player. “
“I have been struggling a lot with my game and with results lately, so I am
very happy to be where I am today.”
“When I had my chances in the second and couldn't take advantage of them,
I knew I wasn't going to be in the best position for the third set. I was
tired, started cramping at 3-2 but I kept on being aggressive, and it
worked.”
“I like it a lot here, the tournament is great, the feeling on the centre
court with the crowd is great and I am playing great matches against great
players.”
“I am very comfortable being coached by my dad at the moment. It is working
for now so I don't see why I should change things.”
Massu: “To tell you the truth, I am still looking for the answer of this
loss. I am quite disappointed with the way I played, I didn't feel good from
the beginning and never felt comfortable. I am not happy at all with the way
I played. Gasquet had trouble moving and I could't take advantage of it.
“Now I need to move and keep going with my schedule.”
Coria: “I knew I was going to have a difficult match, because he had nothing
to lose and was going to be very relaxed. He was very solid from both sides
and I started a little nervous because I was doing the right things but he
was responding very well. In the third set I started controlling more the
game. I think I have a little more experience than him and it showed in the
key points.”
“Gasquet is a tough young player who had a long match today. I think
tomorrow he will probably try to play short points. I am feeling great
physically and I really want to win this tournament. “
“I hadn't played on clay court in a long time, but little by little I am
getting used to playing long points again.”
Acasuso: “The best for me today was that after yesterday's long match, I
felt great physically. I started playing good, and remained calm throughout
the match.”
“It wasn't easy because it was windy out there. I maybe should have played
with more authority at 5-2 to close the match but luckily I never lost my
concentration.”
“The difference between now and 2001, is probably the fact that I am more
experienced. Now, I am used to playing in a full arena and under pressure.
I hope tomorrow I can play well to be in the final again.”
SEMIFINAL MATCHES
In the first semifinal match, top-seeded Guillermo Coria, chases his 19th
consecutive victory on clay courts when he meets rising French star Richard
Gasquet, in their first meeting. Coria won four clay court tournaments last
year (Hamburg TMS, Kitzbuhel, Sopot and Stuttgart) and is looking to play
another final in front of his home crowd.
Defending champion Carlos Moya will try to extend winning streak in Buenos
Aires to 14 matches and reach his third final in BA when he faces Jose
Acasuso.
http://www.atptennis.com/en/newsandscores/news/2004/buenosaires_friday.asp
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