Picture from Open CAM Valencia: Round 1
[JC def Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-4, 6-4]

Pic 1: Forehand

---------------------------------------

Ferrero, Gaudio, Cruise Into R2 in Valencia

Top seed Juan Carlos Ferrero improved to 10-1 for the clay season and 25-6 for the year when he advanced to the second round of the CAM Open Comunidad Valenciana Tuesday. Ferrero, a hot favorite for next week's Telecom Italia Masters, defeated fellow Spaniard Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-4, 6-4.

Ferrero: "It wasn't a good match because it is difficult to play against someone who you practice with so often."

"I am taking a risk with my clay court schedule. It is pretty heavy from now up until Roland Garros. I am scheduled to have one week off before Paris. Playing here is not as tiring as competing abroad. I wanted to see this tournament happen and now that we have the event, I want to see it grow."

Posted by nana at 3:37 AM

IMPERIOUS SAFIN SEALS FINAL SPOT
Sky Sports

Russia's Marat Safin took just 67 minutes to demolish top seed Juan Carlos Ferrero's claycourt game and reach the final of the Barcelona Open with a remarkable 6-4 6-3 victory.

Safin, seeded fourth, will face another Spaniard in the final after Carlos Moya beat Argentina's Agustin Calleri 7-6 6-2.

Moya's victory was impressive enough but was overshadowed by Safin's outstanding performance against Ferrero, who had reached the semi-finals without dropping a set.

"I'm still some way from my best form but I played well today," Safin said. "My serve kept me out of trouble and that was crucial in the match."

Safin, who beat Ferrero in the Barcelona Open final three years ago, edged ahead in the first set at 5-4, leaving the Spaniard to serve to stay in contention.

Ferrero, under pressure at 30-30, put a tired looking volley into the net and then double faulted to give his opponent the set in 35 minutes.

What followed was simply brutal, as Safin tore Ferrero's game to shreds.

The Russian held his opening service game in the second set to love and moved 2-0 ahead with a backhand return winner on break point in the next.

Safin then reeled off three love games to move 5-0 up and was only denied a 6-0 set win as Ferrero saved match point with an ace.

Ferrero, who had won just two points in those first five games in the second set, managed to hold and broke Safin in the next to hint at a comeback.

He consolidated for 3-5 but could not prevent Safin holding in the next, the Russian serving out with two aces, his 11th and 12th of the match.

-----------------------------

Ferrero: "He was hitting much stronger than I was today. The two double faults in the last game of the first set really bothered me, and I couldn't get my form back."

Posted by nana at 4:07 AM

Pictures from JC's quarterfinal match against Guga

Pic 1: Pumped
Pic 2: Eyes on the ball
Pic 3: Return
Pic 4: Victory


FERRERO INTO SEMIS
http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk

In-form Juan Carlos Fererro won the battle of the claycourt specialists as he defeated Gustavo Kuerten 6-4 6-4 to book his place in the semi-finals of the Seat Godo Open in Barcelona.

Ranked number one for the tournament the Spaniard, who recently won the Master Series at Monte Carlo, outplayed Kuerten for much of the game apart from a minor blip in the second set when the Brazilian showed signs of recovery.

After a steady start where both players showed their ability from the back of the court, it was Fererro who got the crucial break in the fifth game.

Kuerten tried everything to unsettle Fererro but the Spaniard was so confident that he even overturned an out call which would have given him a 0-40 set point with the score at 5-3. As it was he went on to take the set 6-4.

Kuerten, who made history by becoming the first South American to top the ATP rankings, started the second set strongly utilising the drop shot to good effect.

He broke Fererro's serve to take a 3-1 lead with some fine winners down the line from behind the baseline.

But the seventh game of the set was to be crucial as the Brazilian, despite being advantage up at deuce lost his serve. From there he lost heart, dropped his serve again to lose the second set and the game.

Fererro admitted he had been surprised by the ease of the victory. "The match has been very fast, both of us played fast games and this was strange as normally our contests are fairly drawn out," he said.

"Kuerten tried a lot of winners while normally we have quite long rallies. Today his winners weren't going in which was unusual for him.

"I would like now to play the final with Carlos Moya and have an all Spanish match like two years ago (when Fererro won)."

Posted by nana at 4:06 AM

Pictures from third round match against Volandri

Photo 1: Return
Photo 2: Close up
Photo 3: Forehand

(from Yahoo! Sports and Sports Network)

Posted by nana at 3:33 AM

Ferrero showing increasing confidence
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Associated Press

BARCELONA, Spain -- Top-seeded Juan Carlos Ferrero beat Franco Squillari of Argentina 6-4, 6-3 Wednesday to advance to the third round of the Open Seat Godo tennis.

Ferrero showed confidence and comfort after winning the title in Monte Carlo last week.

"I don't feel under pressure that everyone sees me as the favorite to win this tournament as the No.1 seed," Ferrero said. "I am feeling very comfortable on the court having defended all the ranking points at Tennis Masters Monte-Carlo. The balls are different here. They are heavier, but I soon got a good feel for them."

Ferrero, the French Open runner-up, says he's focusing on Paris.

"I am setting my goals on winning Roland Garros this year," he said. "I also want to do well at the U.S. Open and the Tennis Masters Cup in Houston is very important to me."

from ESPN Tennis

Posted by nana at 7:40 AM

Pictures from JC's second round match against Squillari (Yahoo! Sports)

Photo 1: Backhand
Photo 2: Serve
Photo 3: Waving

Posted by nana at 6:00 AM

Post Match interview with JUAN CARLOS FERRERO
[Final: J.C. FERRERO/G. Coria 6-2, 6-2]

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Congratulations.
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Thanks.

Q. Apart from anything else, you played well enough, it seemed, that it wouldn't have mattered if it was five sets today. Did you feel that, too?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Could be. Could be much difficult because I had to win one more set, of course.
But, you know, for the conditions, was easy for us to play best-of-three because if we start best-of-five and it's still raining during two days, it's impossible to finish the match.
So we spoke with the referees and we thought, both players, we thought that it was better to play three sets. Is better, much better for us, because physically for the next tournament as well we have to think. That's okay.

Q. How would you sum up what's obviously been a very good week for you?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Of course, of course a very good week for me. I start playing normal tennis, normal level when I finish the match against Mantilla and Gaudio. You know, I think the key was my mentality was very strong all the time when I went down with Gaudio, you know, and Mantilla.
And I keep going all the time, you know, fighting and fighting. Finally, you know, you win a tournament and you feel very, very happy.

Q. Is that as well as you've played in a final, do you think?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Well, I played the last two finals, I lost. So today I wanted to win, you know. I think I play unbelievable - no mistakes, a lot of winners all the time. I didn't leave him to come up, you know. I keep going, playing very well all the time. So I'm really happy for my tennis today.

Q. When you saw that he had beaten Moya, did you think that you had to be right on your game straightaway today?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I think Moya, you know, when Moya is playing good, he's very difficult player to win. His forehand is one of the forehands, you know, very fast, you know. You run a lot.
Coria, I think he plays more like me, you know. He hit the ball strong with backhand and forehand, you know. He serve like me. So for me, it was better to play against Coria.
But for Spanish people, of course was better to play Moya, me. So I have to think was me, so it's much better.

Q. The fact that you had to impose your game on him straightaway, did you think that was very important?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: You know, I spoke with my coach and, you know, we thought that we have -- I have to start very strong all the time, you know, and keep going, keep fighting more than him, you know, and play from the base of the line. Don't go back, you know, any time. I think I play all the time to try to go to the net to finish the point. I think I play with a lot of speed all the time.

Q. To defend a title of this status, is that very special?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: It is special because it's very difficult to win this tournament two years in a row. It's special because you have to defend a lot of points against the same players, the same good players as the last year. And, you know, you never know when you gonna play bad some day or, you know...
It's pretty difficult more on clay court because you have to fight more than hard court. So it's special.

Q. Were you expecting a tougher match than you actually had?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Maybe yes, because is final. But when you see the match, I think I play one of the best finals I played. So I think was difficult to play good for him because I did a lot of winners, you know, and no mistakes and was difficult to follow me.

Q. Last year you won here, obviously. Did you feel when you got to the final at Roland Garros that maybe you just had run out of steam a little bit in that match against Albert?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I don't know, you know. I don't think so. I want to win the final, I wanted to win the final. But that final was strange because I had a lot of problems. I didn't feel 100 percent, and he was playing so good.
But, you know...

Q. How much restricted were you in that final by your ankle?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: That time in Roland Garros?

Q. Yes.
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: You know, I have to put - how is the name - anesthetic, in my ankle and some other part of my body because when I start to feel problems in my ankle, I start to feel also problems in shoulder, abdominal and everything.
I think of course was the key to lose the final, and also the key was because he was playing so good.

Q. What lesson did you learn from last year's final in Roland Garros? Did you learn a lesson from that, and are you going to change anything this season to prepare for the French?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: No, no, I gonna prepare the French Open the same as the last year, but I hope to be there without problems with my body. I will go there and I will try to play the same level as here and the last year in Roland Garros, and that's it.

Q. The fact that you lost that final, and, as you say, the Masters Cup as well, has that made you more determined for this year?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I have more experience in the finals. And when you lose that finals, that big finals, you take the experience and you learn that there's losers. So this year I will try to improve in this finals.

Q. How much of a surprise was it for you that Nadal beat Albert Costa, and why do you think he lost?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Nadal, he has a body like us, you know. He has not the body like 16 years old. So I think this thing helped to him a lot of.
He's playing a good tennis, strong tennis. He moves his racquet with a lot of spin, you know, and his forehand. He's one of the guy that's gonna be very up in the ranking.
Albert Costa, I think he hasn't play his 100 percent level, but Nadal played so good. I think Nadal is gonna play very good in a few time.

Q. Nobody will be very surprised if one day you will win Roland Garros. Somebody may be surprised if you would win, I don't know, US Open or even more if you win Wimbledon. What is your goal? What would you like more as a major goal of your career to do, I mean, to win a tournament nobody's expecting you to win, or to win the one you always thought you wanted to win?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Well... I want to be No. 1 in the world, is one of my goals, you know. And then I want to win Roland Garros some day because it's one of my goals. Of course, I want to win US Open because it's on hard court and I would shut up the, you know, the other people saying that the Spanish people is not playing good in hard courts. So I have three goals (smiling).

Q. Before Roland Garros, what are you playing before then?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I will play Barcelona now, Valencia, Rome, Hamburg, not play Dusseldorf, and Roland Garros.

Q. Barcelona is more important than Monte-Carlo for you?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Monte-Carlo is very important because it's Masters Series. It's different, because it's in Spain and it's important as well. But I am not gonna compare, you know, both tournaments.

Q. Since when have you been feeling as well physically and mentally? You look very fit and very happy to play. At the end of last year, you didn't feel good.
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Last year I had the problems in my adductors in the final and I had to put some injections last year to play the final. Moya, as well. So I think we play with the same problems.
This year I felt very good all the week. I didn't have problems, I didn't have many problems in outdoor. So I felt very, very good.

Q. Did you do any physical work before this year better than last year to prevent injuries?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I don't know. Last year I didn't have a physio with me, you know. Maybe I stretch little bit less than I am doing now because it's with you all the time. So maybe. I don't know. Maybe.

Q. From the program that you gave us, it seems like you're playing every week between now and the French Open?
THE MODERATOR: No, he doesn't play the week of Dusseldorf.

Q. What is your popularity in Spain compared to football players, basketball players?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I don't know, you have to ask to the other (inaudible). I don't know. For the tennis world, I think I am very popular.

Q. Are you frustrated that the football players, even basketball players are more popular?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: No, no.

Q. That's okay for you?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yeah.

Q. It's better?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Better, yeah.

Q. Can you still retain some privacy going about your business?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Sometimes you do. You have the privacy, but not like you want.

Q. You're very well-recognized?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yeah.

Q. You still live close to Valencia, or you never think about going to stay in Barcelona because you like there, because is more private?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: No, no, no. I will stay there because I have now the academy there. We put everything there. I have all I need there. I have family very close. I have the academy. I have the people that I love since 10 years ago. So I'm very good there.

Q. How many people work and play in the academy?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Like we have 20 players, 24 right now. You can ask to my coach, he is the director of the academy. He can sit here and tell you some things (smiling).

Q. Is there something you don't know about now with the experience you have, some years in the tour, some big level, something you really feel but you don't know about tennis? I mean the moment of tennis, the difficult moments of tennis or not? I mean, you know everything? You have a feeling that you can win wherever, you can beat whoever?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I hope to know everything, I hope. But I think you can learn something always. So if I need to learn something, I will find it and I will try. If not, perfect.

Q. What surprised you in some way the last months?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I don't know.

Q. No surprise?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: No, not yet.

Q. I'd just like to say, as a sad Englishman who doesn't speak other languages, thank you for speaking English. You've done very well.
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Thank you (smiling).

Posted by nana at 2:37 AM

Holding crystal trophy (from TMS Site)

Posted by nana at 4:51 AM

Open Seat Godo Singles Draw

Open Seat Godo Doubles Draw

Posted by nana at 6:48 AM

Picture of JC kissing trophy

Close up

JC and trophy

With trophy again

Posted by nana at 1:53 AM

Ferrero wins Monte Carlo Masters
from FOX Sport

SPANISH top seed Juan Carlos Ferrero retained his Monte Carlo Masters Series crown today with a 6-2 6-2 win in 1hr 15min over unseeded Argentine Guillermo Coria.

The 23-year-old Ferrero landed his third Masters Series title and eighth career win overall to secure a winner's cheque for 400,000 euros while Coria, 21, picked up half that sum.

As in his semi-final win over Vince Spadea of the United States Ferrero relied on his finely-honed claycourt instincts rather than his serve, which he dropped twice, more than compensating by breaking his rival's serve six times.

Ferrero, one of only five active players to reach the finals of all three claycourt Masters Series – he won Rome in 2002 and was runner-up in Hamburg in 2001 – snapped a seven-month barren run with his last title success coming last September at Hong Kong.

Sunday's triumph moved Ferrero into third place in the ATP Champions Race place above Swiss star Roger Federer, matching his ATP entry system ranking, while Coria stays seventh in the Race behind Australian Lleyton Hewitt after losing his first Masters Series final.

After rain had delayed the start of the proceedings for an hour the match, scheduled to be a best of five sets encounter, was reduced to best of three following morning rain in the principality which delayed the start by an hour.

Coria had thrived in the heavy conditions in his semi-final, beating last year's runner-up Carlos Moya of Spain.

But here he never got started as Ferrero, despite a low first serve percentage at the outset, stormed into a 3-0 lead with two breaks of serve as he set about becoming the first repeat champion since Thomas Muster of Austria, winner in 1995 and 1996.

Ferrero had won the pair's only previous meeting, in the third round at the French Open last year, in straight sets, dropped serve in the fourth game but broke again for 5-2 and served out as Coria sent a forehand tamely into the net.

The second set was no less one-sided as Ferrero again stormed 3-0 clear – breaking to love in the third game.

He fired wide to allow Coria a glimmer of hope at 1-3 but another break moved Ferrero to the brink of success at 5-1.

Coria held on to claim one more service game, then saved a match point with a net cord, the ball creeping off the tape and over with Ferrero stranded.

But Ferrero then blasted down a rare big serve, which Coria barely got his racket to as he capitulated.

Posted by nana at 1:32 AM

JC'S FINAL MATCH STATISTICS
Ferrero def. Coria: 6-2, 6-2

Aces 0 0
Double Faults 1 2
First Serve Played 35 / 52 67% 38 / 51 74%
First Serve Won 21 / 35 60% 17 / 38 44%
Second Serve Won 9 / 17 52% 3 / 13 23%
Service Points Won 30 / 52 57% 20 / 51 39%
Return Points Won on First Serve 21 / 38 55% 14 / 35 40%
Return Points Won on Second Serve 10 / 13 76% 8 / 17 47%
Total Return Points Won 31 / 51 60% 22 / 52 42%
Break Points Saved 3 / 5 60% 5 / 11 45%
Break Points Won 6 / 11 54% 2 / 5 40%
Total Points Won 61 / 103 59% 42 / 103 40%

Match Time 1:15

Posted by nana at 12:56 AM

Post Match interview with: JUAN CARLOS FERRERO
[Semi-final: J.C. FERRERO/V. Spadea 6-3, 6-4]


THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Good to be back in the final?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yes, you know, I'm really happy to be again in the final. I think I played a really good week. I played really good two matches against Mantilla and Gaudio. These matches give me a lot of confidence to go through to the final.
I'm playing right now very solid - no mistakes, so comfortable from the base of the line. And, you know, waiting for the finalist.

Q. This game was quite short. Yesterday was short. Are you going to be in good physical shape tomorrow? Is that going to count against your opponent?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yeah, after these two matches that I spoke, I was little bit tired against Martin. But yesterday and today, you know, was easy. Of course it's better to me to go tomorrow best-of-five. Nobody knows if I'm gonna play five sets, three sets, four sets, so of course it's better to play these two matches easier than the other ones.

Q. You are using the word "solid" a lot. What does "solid" mean for you?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: It means no mistakes, you know. Play solid, it's, you know...

Q. I don't know.
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: No, I tell you, no mistakes, very comfortable from the base of the line, and doing everything - service, returns, you know, doing well everything.

Q. Not dropping a set, but you lost your serve four times.
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I know, but he returned very good. He puts a lot of pressure because he goes so into the court to return. It's not easy to serve against him. I break his serve a lot of times as well, so was good.
Here in clay it's normal to lose the serve. It's not very important.

Q. So what do you think for tomorrow: Moya or Coria?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: For Spain, it's better Carlos, of course - like last year. But Carlos is playing good, and his forehand is very dangerous. Coria also is very strong, Argentinian guy. Today is gonna be I think a long match.

Q. If it's Carlos, do you think it will be the same game as last year or different?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I don't know, because last year was easier than I thought. It was only a few sets. Normally when I play against him, if it's best-of-three, it's three sets. If it's best-of-five, it's always five. So last year was easier than I thought.
So tomorrow I know -- I don't know what it's gonna be.

Q. How would you compare your form this year to last year?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Last year I came from Estoril, played Estoril before Monte-Carlo. You know, I lost in second round. Just I played two matches before here. Here is the first tournament in clay, so, you know, I think I am in a good form because I play really good matches, two matches with a lot of rhythm. I think I am in the final with very good potential.

Q. Do you think you have a psychological advantage over Moya? I think you played nine times; you've won seven.
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I know, I know. But you never know what is gonna happen the next match. So I know that I won seven times against two, but is the final, you know. You have a lot of motivation. So you have to fight like if it be the first time.

Q. Not talking about the clay, but just yesterday when you said you like the grass...
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yeah.

Q. What kind of chance do you think you would have this year on the grass?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Nothing. I'm not gonna practice more time. I'm going to try to play from the base of the line, try to go to the net to finish the point. I'm not gonna practice more time.

Q. Your thoughts on your form maybe at Wimbledon or something like that, what kind of a chance would you have?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Who knows? Nalbandian, I think that he thought it was impossible to be in the final last year when he started the tournament because, normally, the players that we play from the base of the line, we don't have a lot of chances.
But, you know, Hewitt played from the base of the line and he won Wimbledon.
So I think I'm gonna play one more tournament, it's a Grand Slam, and I gonna try to be at my best. I don't know if I gonna do first two or second, but I gonna try to give the same level as the other tournament.

Q. You realize that the balls are slower and the grass is a little higher? Did you realize this in Wimbledon?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I don't feel so many changes.

Q. I'm going to ask exactly the opposite question. Everybody struggles to go back on clay after the hard court season. You had no tournament before this. You are playing here, and you are playing great tennis. How come? Is it culture? Is it tradition?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I think is also confidence, you know. In clay court, I have a lot of confidence. It's easy to play good for me.
So when I feel very good physically, you know, and very good mentality, I go to the court and the tennis is coming along, you know.
So I did it. I did it and, you know, I am in the final.

Q. So how did you prepare ahead of this tournament? What was your preparation?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I played Davis Cup, and I played one match against Ancic. I play the last week before, all the seven days, with Alex, Albert and Carlos and was very good practice. That's it.

Posted by nana at 10:13 PM

Ferrero Visits "La Prairie"

A relaxing moment for the defending champion.

After his quarterfinal victory over countryman Alberto Martin, the Spaniard received some beauty advice at the "La Prairie" cosmetic stand . While discovering the different products, Ferrero also signed autographs for his many fans.

Picture from TMS MC official site

Posted by nana at 10:30 AM

Post-match interview with: JUAN CARLOS FERRERO
[Quarterfinal :J.C. FERRERO/A. Martin 6-0, 6-2]

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You're pretty happy with that performance there today, I would imagine?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yes, I believe I played very solid. I never made any errors. I believe it's my best match of the week.

Q. How do you think your game has stepped up again another level compared with last year as we approach the French Open?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I feel better physically this year, and I have more experience. I believe I will come to the French Open with more experience, and I believe this year I can win.

Q. Are you playing as much this year between here and the French as last year, or have you dropped one or two weeks from it?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I'm going to play all the tournaments every week except Dusseldorf. I want to play many matches, because I want to acquire my rhythm and a good level.

Q. You've only beaten Spadea once. That was a dead match in the Davis Cup. He's come back from having been a long way behind in his career. He's fought back very hard. What do you think about playing him tomorrow?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I believe he's a better player on hard court, but he plays very well on clay. He's very solid. He makes no mistakes. He takes his opportunities, so it's going to be very difficult for me to win tomorrow. I will have to have the same level as I had today to beat him.

Q. Is the French your biggest dream this year?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Well, it's one of my dreams. I played a semifinals this year and a final, and of course I'm very eager to play the French Open and I really wish I would win this tournament.

Q. What are your other dreams for the year, No. 1?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yes, this is one of my dreams. I also want to do well in the Masters. For Wimbledon, it's going to be difficult because we have very little time to practice on grass before the tournament, so we need a bit of luck there.
But my main dreams are the US Open, the French Open and the Masters. These are the tournaments that are important to me.

Q. Did you see very much of Nadal this week playing?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yes, I've seen him. I believe he has a lot of strength. He's has a lot of endurance. He has a lot of potential. If he plays so well at 16, I think he will soon be at our level, like us.

Q. Inevitable British question: How much do you think you'll be able to play on grass before Wimbledon, and where?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I'm going to play Halle, but if I'm in the second week of the French Open, I don't think I will be able to. I will play Nottingham and then Wimbledon. I don't dislike at all to play on grass. I don't dislike it.

Q. You actually play quite well on it.
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: (Smiling).

Posted by nana at 8:41 AM

JC'S SEMI-FINAL MATCH STATISTICS
Ferrero def. Spadea: 6-3, 6-4

Aces 1 0
Double Faults 2 1
First Serve Played 35 / 58 60% 30 / 58 51%
First Serve Won 18 / 35 51% 12 / 30 40%
Second Serve Won 11 / 23 47% 12 / 28 42%
Service Points Won 29 / 58 50% 24 / 58 41%
Return Points Won on First Serve 18 / 30 60% 17 / 35 48%
Return Points Won on Second Serve 16 / 28 57% 12 / 23 52%
Total Return Points Won 34 / 58 58% 29 / 58 50%
Break Points Saved 1 / 5 20% 1 / 8 12%
Break Points Won 7 / 8 87% 4 / 5 80%
Total Points Won 63 / 116 54% 53 / 116 45%

Match Time 1:18

Posted by nana at 8:33 AM

ORDER OF PLAY: Saturday, April 19, 2003

Court Central - 1:00 PM
(1)JF Ferrero (ESP) vs V Spadea (USA)
Not Before 3:00 PM
G Coria (ARG) vs (2)C Moya (ESP)
Johnson/Ullyett vs Bryan/Bryan or Llodra/Santoro

Posted by nana at 8:07 AM

Here are some photos from JC's quarterfinal match.

Photo 1: Waving

Photo 2: Return

Photo 3: Fist pump

Photo 4: Serving

Posted by nana at 7:47 AM

Ferrero Surges Into Monte Carlo Semis, Will Meet Spadea For Spot In Final
By Richard Pagliaro

As a child, Juan Carlos Ferrero spent countless hours driving himself up the wall. Today, the top-seeded Spaniard drove deep shots that broke down the defenses of compatriot Alberto Martin in creating a crushing 6-0, 6-2 quarterfinal conquest at the Tennis Masters Series Monte Carlo.

The defending champion stormed into the semifinals where he will take on American Vince Spadea. Continuing his remarkable resurgence from professional purgatory, the 28-year-old Spadea advanced to his second Tennis Masters Series semifinal of the season by scoring a 6-1, 6-3 quarterfinal victory over Filippo Volandri to end the Italian qualifier's inspired tournament run.

The decisive ground attack of Ferrero produced devastating results. The 23-year-old Spaniard learned to play tennis practicing against the wall of his father's factory and today he hit with the fierce force of a player intent on breaking through bricks and reducing them to rubble with each swing of his racquet.

The 2002 French Open finalist won 10 straight games to start the match. He blew Martin away in 21 minutes to seize the first set then raced out to a 4-0 lead in the second set before eventually ending an encounter that was a mismatch for the most part.

The match was in marked contrast to Ferrero's previous wins — a 3-6, 6-2, 7-5 win over Felix Mantilla in the second round and a 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 victory over Gaston Gaudio in the round of 16 — and Ferrero was pleased to get off to a fast start today.

"I'd had two difficult matches in the previous rounds against Felix Mantilla and Gaston Gaudio and I'm glad to have won so quickly," Ferrero said. "I won two difficult matches against Felix and Gaston, and this gave me a lot of confidence because it's the first tournament on clay and I won against some of the best players on clay. Now I have to follow the same path and try to reach the finals."

The other semifinal features second-seeded Spaniard Carlos Moya against Argentine Guillermo Coria. Should Moya and Ferrero advance to the final it will set up a rematch of last year's final, which Ferrero won 7-5, 6-3, 6-4.

from Tennis Week

Posted by nana at 7:37 AM

Quarterfinal Match Stats
JC def. Martin 6-0, 6-2

Aces 0 0
Double Faults 0 0
First Serve Played 31 / 49 63% 19 / 41 46%
First Serve Won 21 / 31 67% 9 / 19 47%
Second Serve Won 13 / 18 72% 7 / 22 31%
Service Points Won 34 / 49 69% 16 / 41 39%
Return Points Won on First Serve 10 / 19 52% 10 / 31 32%
Return Points Won on Second Serve 15 / 22 68% 5 / 18 27%
Total Return Points Won 25 / 41 60% 15 / 49 30%
Break Points Saved 5 / 5 100% 6 / 11 54%
Break Points Won 5 / 11 45% 0 / 5 0%
Total Points Won 59 / 90 65% 31 / 90 34%

Match Time 1:03

Posted by nana at 10:20 PM

Post-match with: JUAN CARLOS FERRERO
[Round 3: J.C. FERRERO/G. Gaudio 3-6, 7-5, 6-2]

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Is it a relief to get through that one, given that he served for the match against you?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yes, of course. Given the difficulty of the match and being 5-4, a few points from losing the match, I was very pleased with that victory.

Q. Do you think you handled the pressure better than he did?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I don't believe that pressure played a role in that match. I believe that, actually, it was a match of a few details between us. We were both playing at a very good level. The only thing is from the moment I was able to play a longer forehand in the third set, I started to win.
In the beginning I was playing my forehand a bit short, and that was the key. That made the difference in the match.

Q. You just beat two players you've always struggled against: Felix and Gaston. Do you think you've done the most difficult part of the tournament?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: We never know what can happen. I won two difficult matches against Felix and Gaston, and this gave me a lot of confidence because it's the first tournament on clay and I won against some of the best players on clay.
Now I have to follow the same path and try to reach the finals.

Q. Against Mantilla and today, you lost the first set. Does that have anything to do with your forehand? Is it because you're not getting that going quickly enough?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: No, I believe today my forehand was better than against Mantilla. The match started with a break, he raised his level. But I don't believe it was really a matter of forehand, but just that when I was able to play my forehand better, I was winning. That's the key.

Q. Everybody is talking about Rafael Nadal. Were you surprised by the way he defeated Costa yesterday?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yes, I was a little bit surprised, but I believe he doesn't have the physical shape of a 16-year-old, but of a player like us. He's very strong. Also, he's able to last a long time on the court. He can stand the physical effort. Also, he's very eager to play, he's very confident, and he can play a great tournament - he already did until now play a great tournament.
But beating Costa, champion of the French Open, means that he has a good future.

Posted by nana at 8:38 PM

3RD ROUND MATCH STATISTICS
JC DEF. GAUDIO 3-6, 7-5, 6-2

Aces 3 4
Double Faults 4 5
First Serve Played 56 / 91 61% 71 / 116 61%
First Serve Won 40 / 56 71% 47 / 71 66%
Second Serve Won 18 / 35 51% 19 / 45 42%
Service Points Won 58 / 91 63% 66 / 116 56%
Return Points Won on First Serve 24 / 71 33% 16 / 56 28%
Return Points Won on Second Serve 26 / 45 57% 17 / 35 48%
Total Return Points Won 50 / 116 43% 33 / 91 36%
Break Points Saved 9 / 12 75% 14 / 19 73%
Break Points Won 5 / 19 26% 3 / 12 25%
Total Points Won 108 / 207 52% 99 / 207 47%

Posted by nana at 5:38 AM

Post-match interview with: JUAN CARLOS FERRERO
[Round 2: J.C. FERRERO/F. Mantilla 3-6, 6-2, 7-5]

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. I think there are only two seeds left in your half of the draw. You will probably be disappointed with anything less than a finals performance?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: At the most, to the finals (smiling).
But, anyway, if the seeded players lost, it's because they played against very good players. So sometimes it's not enough just not to have seeded players to play against. I'm sure things will be very difficult for me anyway.

Q. At the beginning of the clay court season it's always difficult to change surface and start again. How do you feel your game is on clay at the moment? Also, how did you play today? How did you feel your game was today?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I practiced a lot for Davis Cup. Before, I didn't have so much rhythm, but today I played well. I made mistakes with my forehand, but I fought and I struggled until the end, and this is very important on clay. So I think for the next matches, it's going to be okay.

Q. A tough opponent for you, Mantilla. You've had some tough games, hard games in the past.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yes, it's always difficult against him. Every time we played, we went to three sets, and every time the score of the third set was 7-6 or 7-5. He's a very tough player on hard courts, but even more on clay courts. He's a very complete player.

Q. What are the aspects of your game that you are not so happy about and that you will have to work on in the next days or weeks?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: What I have to improve is my forehand. I have trouble winning points on my forehand. This is the area where I have to work. I don't have much time to work on that before tomorrow, but I'll try to work on my forehand. I need to be more refined in my forehand.

Q. You're going to be practicing before tomorrow again? This evening or...?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: No, no, no. No, no, no. I'm going to practice a little bit tomorrow morning and then I'll play my match. But a match is a good practice, too.

Posted by nana at 7:19 PM

Match Statistics
Ferrero def. Mantilla 3-6, 6-2, 7-5

Aces 4 1
Double Faults 3 1
First Serve Played 48 / 81 59% 39 / 71 54%
First Serve Won 35 / 48 72% 24 / 39 61%
Second Serve Won 12 / 33 36% 18 / 32 56%
Service Points Won 47 / 81 58% 42 / 71 59%
Return Points Won on First Serve 15 / 39 38% 13 / 48 27%
Return Points Won on Second Serve 14 / 32 43% 21 / 33 63%
Total Return Points Won 29 / 71 40% 34 / 81 41%
Break Points Saved 6 / 9 66% 3 / 7 42%
Break Points Won 4 / 7 57% 3 / 9 33%
Total Points Won 76 / 152 50% 76 / 152 50%

Posted by nana at 8:55 AM

ORDER OF PLAY
Thursday, April 17, 2003

Court Central - 10:00 AM
(WC)M Norman (SWE) vs (Q)F Volandri (ITA)
(WC)J Boutter (FRA) vs (9)S Schalken (NED)
(1)JF Ferrero (ESP) vs (13)G Gaudio (ARG)
G Coria (ARG) vs (Q)R Nadal (ESP)
Llodra/Santoro vs Paes/Rikl

Court des Princes - 10:00 AM
F Vicente (ESP) vs A Martin (ESP)
I Ljubicic (CRO) vs V Spadea (USA)
(16)T Robredo (ESP) vs C Moya (ESP)
JI Chela (ARG) vs J Nieminen (FIN)

Ct 2 - 12:00 Noon
Bryan/Bryan vs Eagle/Palmer
Haarhuis/Kafelnikov vs Bhupathi/Mirnyi
Damm/Suk vs Cermak/Friedl

Posted by nana at 5:06 AM

Article from TMS Monte Carlo official site

Ferrero Wins Another Thriller Against Mantilla

Top seed and defending champion Juan Carlos Ferrero survived another three-set thriller against Felix Mantilla to advance to the third round of Tennis Masters Monte-Carlo Wednesday. Ferrero remains unbeaten in six matches with Mantilla following his gritty 3-6, 6-2, 7-5 win over his countryman.

But the lopsided head-to-head record belies the evenness of their rivalry. All six matches have gone to three sets and three of the six have been decided by third-set tie-breaks, including both meetings last year.

Ferrero said: "It's always difficult against him. Every time we played, we went to three sets, and every time the score of the third set was 7-6 or 7-5. He's a very tough player on hard courts, but even more on clay courts. He's a very complete player. "

"I had trouble winning points on my forehand. This is the area where I have to work. I don't have much time to work on that before tomorrow, but I'll try."

Posted by nana at 5:02 AM

ORDER OF PLAY
Wednesday, April 16, 2003

Court Central - 10:00 AM
(15)J Blake (USA) vs G Coria (ARG)
(10)G Kuerten (BRA) vs (WC)M Norman (SWE)
V Spadea (USA) vs A Clement (FRA)
W Ferreira (RSA) vs (2)C Moya (ESP)

Court des Princes - 10:00 AM
(Q)F Volandri (ITA) vs (6)D Nalbandian (ARG)
A Martin (ESP) vs (8)R Schuettler (GER)
(7)P Srichaphan (THA) vs (WC)J Boutter (FRA)
(1)JC Ferrero (ESP) vs F Mantilla (ESP)
(Q)R Nadal (ESP) vs (4)A Costa (ESP)

Ct 2 - 10:00 AM
(Q)L Horna (PER) vs (13)G Gaudio (ARG)
J Nieminen (FIN) vs Y Kafelnikov (RUS)
(5)J Novak (CZE) vs JI Chela (ARG)
(16)T Robredo (ESP) vs (Q)J Benneteau (FRA)
Novak/Stepanek vs Bhupathi/Minyi

Ct 9 - 11:00 AM
(Q)A Portas (ESP) vs I Ljubicic (CRO)
F Lopez (ESP) vs F Vicente (ESP)
HT Lee (KOR) vs (9)S Schalken (NED)
Haarhuis/Kafelnikov vs Haggard/Koenig

Ct 11 - 12:00 Noon
Llodra/Santoro vs Dupuis/Mathieu
Coria/Gaudio vs Johnson/Ullyett
Damm/Suk vs Nieminen/Schuettler

TBA Not Before 4:00 PM
Clement/Escude or Cermak/Friedl vs Bjorkman/Woodbridge
Knowles/Nestor vs Arthurs/Hanley

Why isn't JC playing on the Center Court?! He is the #1 seed and defending champion!!!

Posted by nana at 3:02 AM

Post-match Interview (from TMS Monte Carlo official site)
[Round 1: J.C. FERRERO / W. Arthurs 6 - 4, 6 - 1]


THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You look more fitter than last year, if I'm not wrong. I would like to know if you think it's a disadvantage, the fact that you will play a lot of tournaments until Roland Garros?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Well, physically, indeed I feel very well. I just have a slight problem with the ankle, but otherwise everything is all right.
And referring to the fact that I will play many tournaments, I believe these are tournaments I must play in order to prepare myself for the French Open. If I chose them, it's for a special purpose, it's for preparing myself.

Q. Who would you consider your biggest rival, your main rival in this tournament?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I don't know, there are many very good players, many rivals possible, especially the Spanish players.
I remember last year the next round had been very difficult for me, the score was very tight. If Kuerten goes ahead, he's going to be very difficult, too.
And South American players play here, and they play well, too.
So there's a certain number of them out there.

Q. You Spaniards, in general, and you, Juan Carlos, have had better results on the hard court in recent years. But when Estoril, Barcelona, Monte Carlo come about, do you feel better, do you think, "Ah, it's like spring or summer, our season is coming," and do you feel better about it?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yes, of course we feel better in this season just because of the fact that we're playing closer to home. Also, a little bit because it's on clay, I feel a little bit better on clay. But I also feel the same, very good, on hard courts.

FastScripts by ASAP Sports...

Posted by nana at 5:59 PM

TMS Monte Carlo rd. 1
JC def. ARTHURS 6-4, 6-1

Aces 4 9
Double Faults 2 4
First Serve Played 28 / 49 57% 25 / 54 46%
First Serve Won 18 / 28 64% 16 / 25 64%
Second Serve Won 17 / 21 80% 14 / 29 48%
Service Points Won 35 / 49 71% 30 / 54 55%
Return Points Won on First Serve 9 / 25 36% 10 / 28 35%
Return Points Won on Second Serve 15 / 29 51% 4 / 21 19%
Total Return Points Won 24 / 54 44% 14 / 49 28%
Break Points Saved 2 / 2 100% 3 / 7 42%
Break Points Won 4 / 7 57% 0 / 2 0%
Total Points Won 59 / 103 57% 44 / 103 42%

Match Time 1:01

Posted by nana at 10:33 PM

TMS MONTE CARLO ORDER OF PLAY
Monday, April 14, 2003

Court Centrale – 10:00 AM
A Clement (FRA) vs (14)F Gonzalez (CHI)
(WC)R Gasquet (FRA) vs (6)D Nalbandian (ARG)
(1)JC Ferrero (ESP) vs W Arthurs (AUS)
(10)G Kuerten (BRA) vs M Fish (USA)
Cibulec/Vizner vs Novak/Stepanek

Court des Princes – 10:00 AM
(12)A Corretja (ESP) vs F Lopez (ESP)
(3)A Roddick (USA) vs (Q)A Portas (ESP)
F Santoro (FRA) vs (8)R Schuettler (GER)
F Vicente (ESP) vs N Escude (FRA)

Ct 2 – 10:00 AM
M Zabaleta (ARG) vs I Ljubicic (CRO)
D Ferrer (ESP) vs (13)G Gaudio (ARG)
(Q)L Horna (PER) vs PH Mathieu (FRA)
N Lapentti (ECU) vs (WC)M Norman (SWE)

Ct 9 – 12:00 Noon
F Mantilla (ESP) vs (Q)S Sargsian (ARM)
V Spadea (USA) vs M Youzhny (RUS)
Coria/Gaudio vs Etlis/Rodriguez

Ct 11 – 12:00 Noon
R Stepanek (CZE) vs (Q)F Volandri (ITA)
(Q)A Martin (ESP) vs O Rochus (BEL)

TMS Monte Carlo Official Site

Posted by nana at 6:48 AM

TMS Monte Carlo Main Draw Singles

Posted by nana at 7:55 AM

2003 Tennis Masters Monte-Carlo Poster

Posted by nana at 6:19 AM