ATP BUENOS AIRES 2004
Buenos Aires
FEBRUARY 19, 2004
Moya and Zabaleta Clash in the Quarterfinals
David Ferrer, who upset second-seed Gustavo Kuerten in the first round Tuesday
, advanced to the quarterfinals with a 7-6(1), 3-6, 6-2 win over another Brazil
ian, Flavio Saretta. After evening the encounter to one-set-all, Saretta, who r
equired trainer's assistance in the beginning of the decisive set due to lower
back problems, failed to hold his serve twice and lost the third set 6-2.
Sixth-seed Mariano Zabaleta overcame Spaniard Oscar Hernandez in straight sets
6-1, 6-4. The Argentine who holds an INDESIT ATP Entry Ranking of 89, made his
debut last week in Vina del Mar, after a three-month injury break due to hip pr
oblems. Zabaleta, who reached the quarterfinals in 2002 (l. to Calleri), will n
ow meet defending champion, Carlos Moya.
Moya advanced to the quarterfinals by defeating compatriot David Sanchez 7-6(5)
, 1-6, 7-6(5) in a thrilling encounter. Sanchez had plenty of opportunities to
win the first set as he served for the set at 5-3 and then, at 6-6, was 5-1 up
in the tiebreak before losing 6 consecutive points. In the third set, Moya who
had broken his countryman's serve in the first game, served for the match at 5-
4 and 6-5 but needed a second tiebreak to triumph and extend his winning streak
to 12 matches.
Local favorite Jose Acasuso, who reached the Buenos Aires final in 2001, advanc
ed to the quarterfinals by defeating French qualifier Olivier Patience 3-6, 7-6
(11-9), 6-4 in another exciting combat. The Argentinean saved a total of five
match points in a thrilling tiebreak, coming back from 2-6, and winning it 11-9
. In the third set, Acasuso broke serve at 2-1 and held his advance until the e
nd.
WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID
Zabaleta: 戦 am very pleased with the way I played and the way I finished the m
atch. I know it was a match I had to win and I went in to fight.?
戦 think I improved in my attitude on the court and my concentration as well. I
f I play like this the entire year I think I am going to be a tough player to p
lay against.?
戦 am very happy to see I returned from this injury completely recovered. I pre
pared very hard in the last months and in order to start in the best possible s
hape.?
荘he public here has always been very supportive with me, I would love to play
in a full arena.?
Acasuso: 戦t was a tough match, I probably didn't play as good as last match. G
oing into the third set, I knew he was going to be down on himself, it is never
easy when you have match points like that. I knew I had to win in the third.?
戦t is important that I came through this situation not playing that great. I k
now I will need to improve my level in the next round?
戦 feel good physically now, I want to see how I wake up tomorrow, but right no
w I am doing good.?
FRIDAY MATCHES
Defending champion Carlos Moya chases a 13th consecutive match win at the Bueno
s Aires Lawn Tennis on Friday. He will face local Mariano Zabaleta in a sixth c
areer meeting.
Top seed Guillermo Coria, who has not lost a singles match on clay since losing
to Martin Verkerk in the Roland Garros semifinals last year, will take on risi
ng player, Juan Monaco in an all-Argentine clash.
No. 3 seed Nicolas Massu, will attempt to book a spot in the semifinals when he
faces French teenager Richard Gasquet, who stunned fifth seed Agustin Calleri
on Wednesday night.
Local hero Jose Acasuso, who saved five match points against Frenchman Olivier
Patience, will meet David Ferrer from Spain in their third-career match-up.
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