SYNSAM SWEDISH OPEN
BASTAD July 11, 2003
Lapentti Saves Five Match Points to Reach Bastad Semis
Defending champion Carlos Moya also scored a quarterfinal win,
while second-seed Robredo's match was suspended because of rain.
Top-seed Carlos Moya continued his winning ways at the Synsam Swedish Open
in Bastad when he defeated the last remaining Swede Jonas Bjorkman 6-4, 6-3 in
Friday's quarterfinals. The Spaniard, who captured the Bastad title last year
by defeating Younes El Aynaoui 6-3, 2-6, 7-5.
No. 6 seed Nicolas Lapentti needed almost three hours to defeat Spanish
teen sensation Rafael Nadal 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(6), saving five match points in the
process. The Ecuadorian now finds himself in the semifinals for the first time
since winning the St Poelten title in May 2002.
Fifth-seed Mariano Zabaleta reached the Bastad semifinals by scoring a 4-6,
7-5, 6-1 victory over No. 4 seeded Russian Mikhail Youzhny. The 25-year-old
Argentine is aiming for his second final of the season following Acapulco,
where he lost to Agustin Calleri in three sets. He also made it to the
semifinals in Auckland and Scottsdale.
The quarterfinal encounter between second-seed Tommy Robredo and Italian
Filippo Volandri was suspended at 1-1 because of rain.
WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID
Moya:"I've been playing better and better in each match this
week. Today the serve was an important factor. As soon as I got that early
break I felt confident. I know that clay isn't Jonas' favorite surface."
About the semifinal against Mariano Zabaleta
"The match against Mariano will be more of a challenge. We've played against
each other three times before and I've won each time, but he is a better and
a more complete player today."
Bjorkman:"I sort of new what to expect, so I'm not surprised
by the outcome. He's a much tougher player than my two previous opponents,
and he hits the ball longer."
"I'm really pleased with my performance on clay this week. It's gone much
better than expected. I've found a game on clay that's good enough to beat a
lot of guys."
"I'm still in the doubles draw, though, and I'll be extremely disappointed if
Jared and I don't win."
Lapentti:"This kid is an amazing player with a fantastic
attitude. We'll see a lot more of him in the future."
Nadal:"I'm not too disappointed. I've beaten some very good
players. I'm still young and I'm still learning. But I'm not sure what I
learned from today's match, though."
About the fact that he held five match points
"I don't have much experience of this at ATP level, but it's no different
from the juniors, Futures or challengers."
--
※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.csie.ntu.edu.tw)
◆ From: 218.162.59.108
※ 編輯: andalucia 來自: 218.162.59.108 (07/12 11:58)