gugafanatic
Hall of Fame
Rafa won the II Torneo Islas Baleares exhibition on the beach in Santa Ponsa, Mallorca. The claycourt event involved 7 other players -- Carlos Moyà, Tomeu Salva, Mariano Zabaleta, Feliciano López, David Ferrer, Joachim Johansson and Rainer Schuettler. Rafa won his quarterfinal against Schuettler, 7-5, 7-5. He defeated his friend Salva, 7-1, 7-2, in the semis, and then defeated Ferrer, 6-3, 6-2, for the title. Rafa played well, especially to defeat Ferrer so easily. He played better than he did on Thursday in Huelva, where he beat Carlos Moyà to win the Copa del Ray exhibition.
http://www.inselfernsehen.tv/#34 ( use the following link to watch some of Nadals play during the exhibitions- click on the play video box next to spanish writing).
Another emphatic display by the Spanish prodigy today disposing of Juan Monaco 6-1, 6-1 in the Swedish Open. Next up is A.Martin with the winner potentially metting JCF in the quarters. The competition for the FO champion is pretty tough with guys like Moya, Zabaleta, Robredo and Monfils notching solid first rd victories. I firmly believe that Nadal can hold off both Roddick and Hewitt to the world no 2 spot as he is practically unstoppable on clay (assuming he will gain maximum points from further clay tournaments) and is vastly improving on hard courts. I think he will post some good results in Montreal and the US Open, and who knows possibly challenge Fed in the yr end ranking. It is going to be wonderful to see Nadal gain entry into Shanghai (Masters Cup) soo early into his career. Vamos Rafa!
Furthermore in the last match on center court, Jiri Vanek of the Czech Republic stunned Swedish No. 2 Joachim Johansson, 6-7(2), 7-6(2), 6-2. It was the Czech's second match win in an ATP event this season.
JJ is having a tough time of late and is plummeting down the ranking. I doubt he will maintain a top 20 position by the end of 05. I will even go as far as saying that his semi at the US Open may have been a fluke.
http://www.inselfernsehen.tv/#34 ( use the following link to watch some of Nadals play during the exhibitions- click on the play video box next to spanish writing).
Another emphatic display by the Spanish prodigy today disposing of Juan Monaco 6-1, 6-1 in the Swedish Open. Next up is A.Martin with the winner potentially metting JCF in the quarters. The competition for the FO champion is pretty tough with guys like Moya, Zabaleta, Robredo and Monfils notching solid first rd victories. I firmly believe that Nadal can hold off both Roddick and Hewitt to the world no 2 spot as he is practically unstoppable on clay (assuming he will gain maximum points from further clay tournaments) and is vastly improving on hard courts. I think he will post some good results in Montreal and the US Open, and who knows possibly challenge Fed in the yr end ranking. It is going to be wonderful to see Nadal gain entry into Shanghai (Masters Cup) soo early into his career. Vamos Rafa!
Furthermore in the last match on center court, Jiri Vanek of the Czech Republic stunned Swedish No. 2 Joachim Johansson, 6-7(2), 7-6(2), 6-2. It was the Czech's second match win in an ATP event this season.
JJ is having a tough time of late and is plummeting down the ranking. I doubt he will maintain a top 20 position by the end of 05. I will even go as far as saying that his semi at the US Open may have been a fluke.
