ARTICLE Snubbed Ferrero Considers Return to Qualifying


ESTORIL (Reuters) - Former world number one Juan Carlos Ferrero may have to take part in qualifying for an ATP tour event for the first time since 1999 as part of his build-up for the French Open.

After losing a tight three-setter to top seed Carlos Moya in the second round of the Estoril Open claycourt event, Ferrero said qualifying might be his only option to get some match practice before Paris next month.

The 2003 Roland Garros winner was denied a wildcard for the Masters series in Rome next week and is still waiting to hear after applying for the Hamburg Masters the week after.

"I definitely won't play in Rome and if I want to play in Hamburg, maybe I will have to do qualifying," the Spaniard said after losing to Moya. "I thought they were going to give me wildcards in both tournaments but they didn't.

"For sure it's not good for me to be missing two Masters tournaments but I haven't played qualifying for a long time. I don't know yet what I'm going to do."

After a brilliant 2003 in which he became world number one and won the French Open as well as reaching the US Open final, Ferrero suffered from injury and illness in 2004.

He dropped out of the top 30 for the first time in five years and has spent 2005 trying to regain his form.

This month he reached the Monte Carlo Masters semi-finals and lost in the Barcelona final to man-of-the-moment Rafael Nadal last week.

Posted by nana at 3:14 AM

PHOTOS from the JC v. Moya match



pic: backhand
pic: >.<
pic: another backhand
pic: wipe sweat
pic: return

Posted by nana at 1:41 AM

ARTICLE Champ Chela Goes Out; Ferrero Saves Match Points to Set Up Moya Clash

Lucky loser Juan Antonio Marin caused the first major upset of the 2005 Estoril Open after defeating defending champion Juan Ignacio Chela in the opening round, but former winner Juan Carlos Ferrero saved two match points before defeating Marcos Baghdatis and set up an intriguing clash with top seed Carlos Moya.

As Ferrero and Baghadits entered the third set tie-break, the Cypriot forged into a 6-4 lead and had two points to upset the 2003 Roland Garros champion. But Ferrero saved both and sealed his place in the second round with a 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(6). win as Baghdatis produced a double fault on match point.

Looking ahead to his clash with Moya, Ferrero said: "I'm glad I've got a day off before we play. I'm still a bit tired form Barcelona. Of course it will be a tough match, playing Carlos, it always is when two Spanish guys meet. My confidence is getting better but it's not where it has been in past years at this time of the season."

(...) ---> full article here

Posted by Unknown at 7:25 AM

DRAW Estoril Draw

JC are drawn to play against M. Baghdatis in the first round of Estoril Open. To check the full draw click here.

ARTICLE Nadal downs Ferrero to win Open Seat Godo

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - Rafael Nadal beat Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-1, 7-6 (4), 6-3 in the all-Spanish Open Seat Godo final on Sunday for his second claycourt title in two weeks.
Without losing a set, 18-year-old Nadal won his fifth career title, a week after winning the Monte Carlo Masters.

"I was a bit tired, I have to recognize it, but I'm delighted," said Nadal.
"You want to know my secret? Work with humility and never make do with what you've got, always want more."

After losing the first set, 2001 Barcelona champion Ferrero led 3-1 in the second-set tiebreaker but Nadal set to work firing shots out of Ferrero's reach to win it 7-4.

Nadal raced to 3-0 in the third, and cruised to his fourth championship this season in just under three hours.

"This guy is tough," Ferrero said of Nadal. "He doesn't fail a single ball."

The final began 15 minutes late because everyone wanted to watch the finish of the Formula One race at Imola in Italy, where Spaniard Fernando Alonso won the San Marino Grand Prix.

PHOTOS Barcelona Final
.
pic: watch
pic: pose
pic: helping Nadal
pic: backhand
pic: forehand


JC lost but he had a good run in Barcelona nonetheless ^^ I hope that he will continue to play better and better. And that "helping Nadal" photo, weren't he sweet? ^^

Posted by Unknown at 5:15 AM

PHOTOS from semifinal match



pic: pump up
pic: ball toss
pic: serve
pic: smash
pic: backhand
pic: yess

Posted by Unknown at 11:59 AM

ORDER OF PLAY Sunday, April 24, 2005

Center Court start 3:30
(8)R Nadal (ESP) vs (SE)J Ferrero (ESP)
After appropiate rest
Lopez/Nadal vs (2)Paes/Zimonjic


ARTICLE Local heroes battle for title
From correspondents in BarcelonaApril 24, 2005

JUAN Carlos Ferrero and Rafael Nadal set up a perfectly scripted Spanish dream final at the Barcelona Open overnight as both blasted past semi-final opponents.

The unseeded Ferrero, who has been repairing a game gone stale due to illness and injury during 2004, played a match of two halves to oust seventh seed Nikolay Davydenko 7-6 (7/1), 6-1.

Former world No.1 Ferrero laboured for 68 minutes to win the opening set, then brought the victory home through a second set done and dusted in less than half an hour.

Marauding teenager Nadal, who has pulled himself into the ranks of heavy favourites for Roland Garros starting in a month, was merciless in his defeat of Czech journeyman Radek Stepanek, administering a 7-5, 6-2 lesson in one hour, 19 minutes.

The victory - two breaks in the second set ended any lingering resistance - gave last week's 18-year-old Monte Carlo champion a 2-0 mark against Stepanek after beating him in Davis Cup in 2004.

"I was glad to repeat my Davis Cup win," said the phenomenon, now standing 34-6 on the season, including an ATP-best 24-2 on clay.

"But it would mean so much for me to win the title here in Barcelona.
"Playing against my friend Juan Carlos will make it that much more special."

The youngster is within one victory of his fourth title on the red dirt this season after Costa Do Sauipe, Acapulco and his Monte Carlo triumph.

Ferrero said he would try to put memories of his loss in his only other meeting with Nadal out of mind. The 25-year-old former Roland Garros champion went down badly less than three weeks ago as he lost to Nadal in the first round at Valencia - Ferrero's home event.

"I won't be thinking about that match," said the senior Spaniard.
"I don't want to remember that day.
"Instead, I'll concentrate on our practice sessions for last year's Davis Cup final (over the US in Seville). Rafa and I played sets and matches. It was all very competitive, very tight."

Ferrero, who will dramatically improve his 58th ranking, found his game almost dropping off the radar screens last season as it tumbled towards the no-man's land of 100.
But victory in Barcelona would complete a miracle career turnaround.

"The five-set format won't be important," said Ferrero, whose last final was Rotterdam in February, 2004, four months after the last of his 11 career titles.

"If Rafa starts to dictate, you're in trouble.
"I want to get on top of him from the start and play very aggressive."

The 25-year-old won the title at the Real Club de Tenis in 2001 after losing the 2000 title match to Marat Safin.

Ferrero's victory overnight came as he played his second semi-final in as many weeks after Monte Carlo.

The Spaniard lost serve only once while breaking the 16th-ranked Davydenko three times.
Agence France-Presse


AUDIO A short clip of JC's post-match interview after defeating Gaudio.

>> clip (in Spanish)

Posted by Unknown at 11:45 AM

ORDER OF PLAY Saturday, April 23, 2005

Center Court start 12:50
(7)N Davydenko (RUS) vs (SE)J Ferrero (ESP)

Not before 15:20
(11)R Stepanek (CZE) vs (8)R Nadal (ESP)
Lopez/Nadal vs (5)Suk/Vizner
Court 1 start 16:30
(4)Aspelin/Perry vs (2)Paes/Zimonjic

Posted by Unknown at 9:47 PM

ARTICLE Revived Ferrero edges past Gaudio into Barcelona semis

BARCELONA, April 22 (Reuters) - Juan Carlos Ferrero's revival continued with an enthralling 6-4 4-6 6-3 victory over Gaston Gaudio on Friday which earned him a place in the semi-finals of the Barcelona Open.

The Spaniard showed he is recovering the sort of form that saw him win the French Open in 2003 with a superb display of claycourt tennis against the second seeded Argentine, who succeeded him as champion at Roland Garros.

Ferrero edged an evenly balanced first set after earning himself a break point in the 10th game with a delicate drop volley and then finished off with a clever crosscourt winner.

Gaudio, the only one of the top six seeds to make it into the quarter-finals, fought back hard to claim a 4-0 lead at the start of the second set and although Ferrero pulled it back to 5-4 he wrapped up with a confident service game.

Neither player gave any quarter in the decisive third set, trading a succession of powerful ground strokes during the course of some lengthy rallies.

But a highly-focused Ferrero stretched his opponent around the court and gained the crucial breakthrough in the eighth game, breaking to go 5-3 up when he forced Gaudio into a forehand error and the Argentine then double faulted.

Gaudio saved three match points, but Ferrero earned himself a fourth with a sizzling running pass and the world number eight finally succumbed when he put his return into the net.

Posted by nana at 1:14 AM

PHOTOS JC defeated Gaudio 6-4, 4-6, 6-3!! *w00t*



pic: pumped
pic: yessss
pic: really pumped
pic: one inch
pic: volley
pic: forehand

Posted by nana at 1:06 AM

ARTICLE Ferrero form flowers as clay comeback gains pace


BARCELONA, Spain (AFP) - Juan Carlos Ferrero piloted his return to form past another marker, crushing fellow Spaniard Alberto Martin 6-1, 6-2 to book into the quarter-finals of the 850,000-euro Barcelona Open.

The former world number one and 2003 Roland Garros champion began turning the corner on an injury and illness crisis which wrecked his 2004 campaign, reaching the Monte Carlo semi-finals a week ago.

His straightforward victory under cloudy skies into the last eight at the Real Club de Tenis required 71 minutes, with the unseeded crowd favourite notching his 15th win of the season.

The victory was the third in succession against "Beto" Martin for Ferrero, who now stands square at four victories apiece with his compatriot, at 55th ranked three spots higher than the former Barcelona winner.

Martin, who 24 hours earlier put out holder Tommy Robredo - one of the 20 Iberians who began the week here - was able to convert on only one of seven break points chances while dropping his serve five times.

Martin has not won a match at the event since 2002 while Ferrero continues to build upon his strengths in 2005.

The quiet Spaniard reached the fourth round in Miami last month before announcing his return with the Monte Carlo semi.

"I feel good about my form, I'm believing more and more in myself," said Ferrero, who next faces the winner from Roland Garros defending champion Gaston Gaudio and Spain's David Ferrer.

"I'm feeling stronger mentally. Martin has been in great form and has had some great results, but I played well."

Posted by nana at 4:09 AM

PHOTOS JC defeated Martin 6-1, 6-2 and faces the winner of Ferrer v. Gaudio in the quarterfinals.



pic: ball toss
pic: pumped
pic: another ball toss

Posted by nana at 3:56 AM

AUDIO A short clip of JC's post-match interview after defeating Lopez.

>> clip (in Spanish)

Posted by nana at 6:09 PM

ORDER OF PLAY Wednesday, April 20, 2005

Center Court start 10:50

(4)G Coria (ARG) vs A Calleri (ARG)

Not before 12:50

A Martin (ESP) vs (SE)J Ferrero (ESP)

Not before 15:20

(10)D Hrbaty (SVK) vs (8)R Nadal (ESP)
M Mirnyi (BLR) vs (3)C Moya (ESP)
(13)D Ferrer (ESP) vs (2)G Gaudio (ARG)

Posted by nana at 12:50 PM

PICTURES



pic: fist pump
pic: ball toss
pic: backhand
pic: victory

Posted by nana at 12:43 PM

ARTICLE
Moya, Ferrero assert clay court authority

The unseeded Ferrero, who lifted the prestige Catalan trophy four years ago, fought past a late-match injury treatment distraction to compatriot Alberto Montanes to reach the second round 6-3, 3-6, 7-5.

A relieved Ferrero, semifinalist last weekend in Monte Carlo, stamped a blanket ban on any more discussions about his sad 2004 season.

"I want to forget everything about last year - don't ask me any more about it," said Ferrero, who once reigned as Spain's King of Clay.
Added the former world number one: "2004 is a bad memory that I don't need. I'm only concentrating on the future now. It's one match at a time and this is a start."

Ferrero, who suffered through a season of injury and illness including a case of chicken pox, overcame a potentially distracting moment late in the match as Montanes took treatment for thigh cramps at 30-all while serving for the match 5-4.

But after the 10-minute delay, Ferrero calmly held his nerve, breaking his countryman with a backhand drop shot on his way to victory two games later after two hours, 45 minutes
(...)

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

Revived Ferrero confident he's back to winning form

BARCELONA, April 19 (Reuters) - Former world number one Juan Carlos Ferrero says he has finally put a wretched 2004 behind him and believes he is approaching the sort of form he enjoyed when he won the French Open two years ago.

"I think I'm really playing quite well," Ferrero said after his 6-3 3-6 7-5 victory over fellow Spaniard Albert Montanes in the first round of the Barcelona Open on Tuesday.

"I want to forget last year. This is a new season and I don't think it is good to cast my mind back over what happened before. I'm feeling confident, happy with the way I'm playing and want to keep improving step by step."

Blighted by injury and illness, Ferrero had a miserable 2004, finishing outside the top 10 for the first time in four years and losing his place in Spain's victorious Davis Cup team.

After a subdued start to 2005, he returned to his favoured clay surface at his home tournament in Valencia earlier this month, only to be swept aside by the in-form Rafael Nadal 6-2 6-1.

But Ferrero did not let the heavy defeat upset him and reached his first ATP semi-final in a year at Monte Carlo last week, beating Marat Safin in the third round before succumbing to Argentine Gulliermo Coria.

He withstood some heavy pressure from Montanes in Tuesday's match, but never lost his concentration and pushed his fellow Spaniard to the limit in the decisive third set with his powerful rolling backhands and deft drop shots.

The 25-year-old believes that with a few more matches now under his belt he will be well on the way to recapturing his tournament-winning form of 2003.

"I played well at Monte Carlo and I played well today," he said. "Physically I feel 100 percent although my forehand does need a little work, and mentally I feel very strong.

"I wouldn't say that I am among the favourites here at Barcelona because there are so many good players here, but I am one of the players who are in with a chance."

With Roland Garros just round the corner, Ferrero's appetite has been whetted once more and he says that his sights are now set on winning a second grand slam tournament of his career.

"I'm concentrating on improving my performances over the whole year and I would rather win another grand slam than just move up the rankings. With the way I'm playing and the confidence I have I think that is now a realistic objective."

Posted by Unknown at 5:49 PM

ORDER OF PLAY Wednesday, April 20, 2005

Center Court start 10:30 AM

(6)T Robredo (ESP) vs A Martin (ESP)

Not before 12:50

(SE)J Ferrero (ESP) vs (12)F Lopez (ESP)

Not before 15:20

G Muller (LUX) vs (8)R Nadal(ESP)
(1)M Safin (RUS) vs J Acasuso (ARG)
F Mantilla (ESP) vs (2)G Gaudio (ARG)

Posted by nana at 8:16 AM

PHOTOS JC defeated Montanes 6-3, 3-6, 7-5. Next he faces Feliciano Lopez.



pic: forehand
pic: wave
pic: backhand
pic: fist pump

Posted by nana at 4:34 AM

ORDER OF PLAY Tuesday, April 19, 2005

Center Court start 10:30 AM

(Q)A Portas (ESP) vs (14)J Chela (ARG)

Not before 13:00

A Montanes (ESP) vs (SE)J Ferrero (ESP)

Not before 15:30

(Q)J Nieminen (FIN) vs (3)C Moya (ESP)
(13)D Ferrer (ESP) vs F Verdasco (ESP)
(7)N Davydenko (RUS) vs (Q)F Fogues (ESP) or C Rochus (BEL)

Posted by nana at 1:01 AM

BARCELONA DRAW JC faces fellow Spaniard Montanes in the first round of Barcelona. Some notable clay courters in his half: Moya, Gaudio, Verdasco, Robredo and Lopez.

N Davydenko (RUS) (7) v Bye
Qualifer v C Rochus (BEL)
X Malisse (BEL) v P Kohlschreiber (GER)
S Koubek (AUT) v T Johansson (SWE) (9)

I Andreev (RUS) (16) v J Monaco (ARG)
M Mirnyi (RUS) v A Costa (ESP)
H-T Lee (KOR) v Qualifer
Bye v C Moya (ESP) (3)

T Robredo (ESP) (6) v Bye
Y El Aynaoui (MAR) v A Martin (ESP)
A Montanes (ESP) v JC Ferrero (ESP) (SE)
N Almagro (ESP) v F Lopez (ESP) (12)

D Ferrer (ESP) (13) v F Verdasco (ESP)
A Murray (GBR) (WC) v J Hernych (CZE)
F Mantilla (ESP) v M Llodra (FRA)
Bye v G Gaudio (ARG) (2)

>> full draw

Posted by nana at 11:46 AM

INTERVIEW G. CORIA /J. Ferrero 6-2, 7-5

An interview with: JUAN CARLOS FERRERO

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You were up in the second set 4?All. Suddenly, you... What happened?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Well, he looks like when I was 4?0 winning, he looks like he want to lose these two games, no? And maybe I relax too much, you know, when I lost that service with 4?Love very easy.

And then, you know, he knows that just was one break to recover everything, and he start to fight again. And maybe I didn't be the same aggressive as I was when I was until 4-0, no.

So I don't know what's happen exactly, but he start to fight on 4?1 and he played again good.

Q. Were you tiring? I mean, it was a problem of physical, no?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: No. No, no, no.

I think I played a good level in these four games, you know - maybe at the same level as I was playing, you know, when I was pretty good on clay.

Q. You mean a top level at the time?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yeah, maybe. With the forehand I was hitting the ball so well. Well, he move in the court very well and he arrive unbelievable balls and he return every ball. You have to win two or three times the point in the same point.

But anyway I'm pretty happy for the week. And, you know, today I couldn't play better, but I'm doing a good job and could keep trying to next tournament.

Q. How much of it is psychological at the moment? It was your first semifinal for almost a year. Is it a case of getting used to it again, I mean, the pressure of a semifinal?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: No, no, no. I didn't feel any pression in the final (sic). I was trying from the beginning of the match play at the same level, you know ? easy, hitting the ball very hard with my forehand, try to dominate him all the time. And sometimes was good, and sometimes was not.

But I try all the time. I didn't feel pression because I want to play, you know, relax and enjoy myself in the court and that's it.

Q. Do you think you'll be back to 100% by the time the French Open comes along? Are you quite happy the way you're making progress towards it?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I have a lot of tournaments until Roland Garros - I am going to try to be better and better each tournament. We'll see how I'm gonna arrive over there.

But for the moment, for the first tournament on clay, it's really good result for me.

Q. You said those four games were the best you've played for probably a couple of years now? I mean, that must be very encouraging for you.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I played really good these four games, but it's not the best tennis that I played in two years, of course not. Because this week I played the same level whole time, playing good.

But maybe I was today more aggressive than the other days and I couldn't play better. But just a little bit.

But I play a good level, you know, the whole week.

Q. So where is your next tournament?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Barcelona.

Q. And...?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: And then Estoril.

Q. So you need practice or games or both?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I need... I don't know. I have lot matches this year played. I just will relax and try to win.

Q. Do you think that Coria is more powerful this year, or is he the same? What do you think?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Different than when, last year or what?

Q. Is he more powerful with the forehand, backhand? Do you feel on the court the ball is more heavy, or it's the same?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: No, no, no, it's the same, the same.

Posted by nana at 8:44 AM

INTERVIEW J. FERRERO /F. Volandri 6-2, 6-3


THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Well-played, Juan Carlos . Could you talk a little bit about how you won the match?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Well, before the match I was thinking that I have to play a solid match without mistakes because he is playing so, so well with his backhand, you know. He dominate a lot to the other players.

So, you know, I was moving so well in the court, you know. I arrive perfectly to almost all balls. I could make my game perfectly.

Q. You won over 70% of points on his second serve. Was that a big factor for you?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yeah, I tried with his second serve to start dominate the point. You know, I did almost every game that he served.

So, you know, was perfectly for me.

Q. Do you now think you're playing well enough to win the tournament again?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I don't know. Maybe yes, maybe not. I'm playing well, and I'm with a lot of confidence again.

Tomorrow I know is going to be interesting match and very tough because Coria runs a lot and he has a lot of talent. So, you know, I played a lot of times against him; sometimes he beat me, and sometimes I beat him.

So we'll see tomorrow. Is gonna be a tough match for sure.

Q. Today you think that you were playing extremely well, or you think also that he wasn't playing at his best?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I think he start very -- a little nervous. He did a lot of mistakes at the beginning. I think also I was in the whole court moving so well and he didn't find any side to make a point. So both things are together, and makes me feel better and I go straight on this court so easy.

And also I think he's today -- he was today a little bit tired from the match of yesterday that was really tough.

But anyways I think he's a wonderful player. He has a lot of good shots, you know, and very good backhand. He can do everything he want with the ball.

So anyways I play really good match.

Q. This is your first semifinal since Valencia , almost a year. What does this do for your confidence? Does it suggest that you're back where you think you should be?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: For sure this semifinal is given to me injection of confidence. You know, I'm playing good again since long time ago, that you said.

But, you know, I work since a lot of time for this, you know, to make a good result. And then after this tournament doesn't matter if I win or if I lose, I know that I'm playing good again and I'll be ready to make good results in the next tournament.

Q. During this difficult moment you are out, was important the fact of Davis Cup that you didn't play, they prefer to yourself some other players? Mentally, was important or not?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Mentally, is important to not play every week. If I had to play Davis Cup, I had to play a lot of weeks. I play Rotterdam, Marseille, Dubai . And then if I play Davis Cup, it's four weeks in a row. Then Indian Wells, Miami, and here. So I had to make a break, you know, and was better to make it this week.

Q. But I ask about the Davis Cup final, the fact that you didn't play; someone else played in your place.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Well, no, no.

Q. Do you feel is was important?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: No, no. Nothing about this, no.

If I had to play, was two matches, so doesn't affect to me.

Q. What about Nadal? You were beaten so clearly. What do you think about Nadal? You are looking for revenge as soon as possible? Some rivalry inside Spain between you, yourself, and him?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Well, the match of last week doesn't affect to me so much because I didn't play any point good, you know. Anyway, he played a normal match. He came with a lot of confidence. He did normal match. But anyway I played so badly.

Of course he's playing so good, and he's so up in the ranking. He has a lot of power and confidence, I would think right now, because he's winning a lot of matches anyways on hard court or clay court.

So he is very good guy, and I don't want to take a revenge because I know that we gonna play a lot of matches during the year or maybe next year.

So if I have to take a revenge any match that I lose again, so it's gonna be, you know (smiling)...

Q. (Through translation from French.) Do you feel again like a favorite now in the clay court tournaments?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: (Through translation from Spanish.) I consider myself as an important player. I played well here. I've been fighting during the former tournaments to reach that level, and I won against very good players like Canas, Safin - that was an important win - Volandri.

So I believe now I'm an important player and, yes, I can consider I'm one of the favorites.

Q. We have just one complaint against you. We are 20 Italian journalists, and lost. Just one Spanish journalist, and you won.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Luck. Very lucky (smiling).

Q. How can you explain to the public that Ferrero one week ago doesn't play well, loses very badly against Nadal, and one week after suddenly is in the semifinal? What is the explanation we can give?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yeah, last week I was playing very well. I was practicing well, and I was playing before that match very well.

But this match, you know, I feel some pression of my public there in Valencia. I have to play very good, I have to show that I'm playing well, I have to show that I can play with Nadal , I have to show a lot of things. This give to me a lot of pression, and I didn't play any point good, like I said.

But before the match I was playing good. I was playing with a lot of rhythm, feeling good. But that match, you know, sometimes happen that you can't make any ball. Also because he's a left?hander and it's very unusual, the spin and everything. So, you know, was happening this.

But I will tell you, I was playing good. It's not like one day I play good and tomorrow I play unbelievable, you know, I play so bad. That's not happen in tennis.

Posted by nana at 1:03 PM

PHOTOS JC defeated Volandri 6-2, 6-3 and advances to the semis!



pic: handshake
pic: fist pump
pic: ball toss
pic: backhand

Posted by nana at 1:28 AM

ARTICLE Ferrero Through to Monte Carlo Semifinal


MONTE CARLO (Reuters) - Resurgent Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero stayed on course for a third Monte Carlo Masters title Friday with a confident 6-2, 6-3 quarter-final defeat of Italian Filippo Volandri.

Wildcard Ferrero, winner in 2002 and 2003, followed up his impressive victory over second seed Marat Safin Thursday with more textbook claycourt tennis to win in one hour, 13 minutes.

It was Ferrero's first quarter-final since Valencia this time last year, after which his ranking went in to freefall following a bout of chicken pox and various nagging injuries.

The former French Open winner, bidding to equal Austrian Thomas Muster's three titles here, will play defending champion Guillermo Coria or Spain's David Ferrer in Saturday's semi-final.

Posted by nana at 1:24 AM

INTERVIEW

J. FERRERO /M. Safin
6-2, 6-4

An interview with: JUAN CARLOS FERRERO

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Was that the big victory you were looking for? It obviously must do your confidence a lot of good beating Marat Safin ?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Well, of course this victory is very important for me. But, you know, I was looking for, you know, working day by day and training hard, so the results have to come. Finally, one of this are here, you know. We'll see what's happen.

Q. What did you do particularly well today?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I think I played really solid all the time. No mistakes in important points, you know. I served with a lot of kick to his body all the time, you know. I returned his serve in important points very well.

So I think I played a complete match.

Q. (Translated from Spanish.) It was an important victory. You always had problems against him.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: (Translated from Spanish.) Yes, I remember the French Open on clay, I played very well this match. I played a complete match and I was believing in myself.

Q. (Translated from Spanish.) You were not confident before?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: (Translated from Spanish.) Well, when you don't win many matches, it becomes more complicated. But it's been a while I've been feeling well physically; therefore, I had some hopes. Now the results are coming.

But I will not be satisfied with simply a quarterfinal because I'm playing well, and I'm hoping to go further.

Q. Safin said that maybe you improve on backhand. Is that true?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I don't know. When I play well, my backhand is, you know, I normally do no mistakes.

I'm playing with a lot of confidence with forehand and my backhand. And I don't know if I improve, but I feel very comfortable in the court with both shots.

Q. (Translated from Spanish.) You played twice Volandri . What do you think about him?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: (Translated from Spanish.) He's a relatively complete player. I think what is dominating in his game is his very good backhand. Also, he played with a lot of confidence.

I think when he played again Canas , it was good for him to find his own rhythm, and it made him very confident especially on clay.

When he played against Puerta , Puerta is a player who puts a lot of rhythm into the shots, and he was able to counterattack very well against this.

So I didn't see the whole of the match, but what I saw showed me that he was playing very well.

Q. How tough was it mentally to be very low in the rankings?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I answered this question a lot of times. Well, of course it's difficult when you were here (indicating a high level) and you're here right now (indicating a lower level).

Q. What was your lowest ranking this year, lowest?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I think 90?something. I don't know, 94 or something like this.

It's really tough to see in the paper, weekly, to be 94. But, you know, I was preparing mentally for this, you know, because I knew that I'm gonna be pretty low in the ranking because I lose a lot of points last year and also at the beginning of the year, Australian Open and Rotterdam as well.

So I was preparing for this. And after this, I want to play with no pression, you know, and try to be in the same position as when I was 19, you know ? I was 90 or something like this, and to have a goal to get up in the ranking, you know.

Q. (Translated from Spanish.) You played twice against Volandri . Two years ago you were the favorite, but today who is the favorite? Is it important to be the favorite? Does it give you confidence or, on the contrary, is it a problem?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: (Translated from Spanish.) What helps is to believe in yourself. Being a favorite, it's more complicated. I don't think he is the favorite, and I am not either. I think it will be a match with a lot of fighting about the points and especially on clay.

I won twice against him, and he never won, so maybe that makes me slightly the favorite. But, anyway, it's different every match. I believe in my possibilities.

Q. (Translated from Spanish.) Marat Safin said it was very difficult to compare you, the way you were before being sick, and the way you are now, after being sick. What do you think?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: (Translated from Spanish.) Well, I always thought that when you had difficulties ahead of you, you were always gathering your strength to overcome them. Maybe that's the reason.

I am a player with a lot of experience; many good things happened to me and bad things also, like last year. I think when you are feeling good, you don't realize how good it is. It's only when you are sick or something bad happens that then you realize and you hope to become better again.

But I believe I'm a player with a lot of experience on the courts and also outside of the courts.

Posted by nana at 7:55 AM

PHOTOS JC defeated Safin 6-2, 6-4!



pic: serve
pic: running
pic: return
pic: backhand
pic: low return
pic: kiss

Posted by nana at 5:18 AM

INTERVIEW

J. FERRERO /J. Novak
3-6, 6-3, 6-2

An interview with:

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. It's a long road back for you. Are you starting to feel that you're aiming for the top again?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Well, I'm trying since the beginning of the year to playing well. But I suppose you know I meet with a lot of good guys in first and second rounds, like Top 10 players. Always it's difficult to play against them. Before this, you know, I always play against these guys quarterfinals, semifinals. Now in the first and second rounds are always very difficult.

But anyway I'm feeling better, and I'm better in the ranking day by day. We'll see.

Q. Is it a matter of confidence?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yeah. You know, the confidence is very important for the player. I mean, when you are winning a lot of matches, you take a lot of confidence and you feel that you can do everything.

Q. What parts of your game are improving, do you think?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: For sure mentally. I'm strongest mentally than before. All that happened to me give me a lot of ? I don't know ? confidence in me, you know, to try again everything, to make important goals. I think I'm doing a good job.

Q. Where are you now compared to the...

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Oh, it's difficult to compare, you know. It's really difficult. But I'm feeling better. I feel ? like always ? I feel like I can win anybody. So it's a good thing.

Q. Do you feel better with each match, or do you go up and down?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yeah, of course I feel better. When you are winning good matches, you feel better.

But anyway I feel better since the beginning of the tournament and, you know, I'm trying to do everything in the court.

Q. Is playing Safin the right test for you now?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yeah, it's a good test. Of course it's a good test. He plays really good also in clay courts. Today he won an easy match. And I watch some of his matches here and he's playing very, very strong, hitting the ball very strong.

But anyways I think I'm playing good tennis, and I will try my best tomorrow.

Q. How much of an upset was last week? I mean, he'd just come off the back of a huge final.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yeah.

Q. To get off the plane, to fly to Valencia , then play you in the first round.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yeah. But anyway he came with a lot of confidence, and also he played three tournaments on clay court. For me, was the first match on clay court.

But anyway, the confidence, it's very important. He played really good and I played really bad.

But anyway he's playing a good tennis. He's very talent guy. He has a lot of power. He play good, so...

But this is disappointing for sure, to lost.

Q. You'd been striking the ball really well in Miami , hadn't you? You'd been playing well, striking it well, moving well.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yes.

Q. Is that as well as you'd played since you'd got everything out of your system, do you think?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yeah, I think when I feel very good physically I can do everything because I move well, I can hit the ball good. And for sure the physically, it's almost 100% important.

So right now I feel very good physically, I'm telling you, since the beginning of the year. I have no problems physically right now, and it's that I want it.

Q. You say you're mentally stronger. How do you get mentally stronger? Is it a case of being patient?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yeah, patient. This is the word, patient, and try to be a better player, you know. Before, like before that happened last year, I always be in the Top 5 or Top 10, you know. And I always have a great winnings, never worse than the last year, you know.

And, you know, start to be worse and worse. And, you know, have to start again and make new goals, different goals than before, you know, not winning Masters Series or winning Grand Slams , you have to be physically good and you have to be mentally again good.

So this is the important thing.

Q. I imagine the frustration is sometimes unbearable?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yeah, sometimes is frustrating, but I am a strong tennis player. I knew that later or soon I will be again a good tennis player. I have to be patient. I have to be patient.

Q. Have you set yourself a goal in the ranking for the end of the year?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Well, I want to be in the Top 15. I want to be. But I will fight. I will fight.

Q. How long do you think it will take?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I have to take some time. I don't have to go in a hurry all the time. I have to go step by step, match by match. And I don't know when, but I have a lot of tournaments to get points, you know. Last year I didn't get any points, so I think I have lot of opportunities to get points if I play normal.

Q. When you won the French Open , maybe you thought this was the beginning of a great period of dominance. But you've had to come back almost, start again. What does that take out of you psychologically?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Well, after to win a Grand Slam , you think you are a better player and I was thinking this. But it start to happen, those things. Like you said, I have to start again everything physically because the chicken pox was amazing. And mentally it's very tough to start again. I mean, physically on everything it's really tough, but I have to do it to be again in the top, and I don't have another option if I'm gonna be like before.

Posted by nana at 2:43 PM

ORDER OF PLAY Thursday, April 14, 2005

Court Central start 10:00 AM

M Puerta (ARG) vs F Volandri (ITA)
(10)N Davydenko (RUS) vs (Q)R Gasquet (FRA)
(1)R Federer (SUI) vs F Gonzalez (CHI)
(WC)J Ferrero (ESP) vs (2)M Safin (RUS)
(11)R Nadal (ESP) vs O Rochus (BEL)

Posted by nana at 2:41 PM

PHOTOS JC defeated Novak 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. Next he'll face Safin!

pic: ball toss
pic: backhand
pic: forehand
pic: return

Posted by nana at 1:07 AM

ORDER OF PLAY Wednesday, April 13, 2005

Court 2 start 10:00 AM

(1)Knowles/Nestor vs (WC)Bracciali/Galimberti
T Berdych (CZE) vs O Rochus (BEL)
(16)J Novak (CZE) vs (WC)J Ferrero (ESP)
F Santoro (FRA) vs M Zabaleta (ARG)
(3)Bryan/Bryan vs Canas/ChelaorDavydenko/Novak
(8)Aspelin/Perry vs Bhupathi/Gonzalez

Posted by nana at 4:49 AM

ARTICLE Ferrero Beats Karlovic, and Rain, in Monte Carlo


MONTE CARLO (Reuters) - Former world number one Juan Carlos Ferrero needed less than an hour to beat Croatian Ivo Karlovic 6-4, 6-1, in the first round of the Monte Carlo Masters on Monday.

The Spaniard, twice a winner of the season's first major claycourt tournament but needing a wildcard this year, looked more like his old self after a mediocre start to 2005.

Dominating behind his ferocious forehand, Ferrero outclassed the towering Karlovic to end the contest just as heavy rain began to fall on the Country Club.

Ferrero, winner of the French Open in 2003, finished last year outside the world's top 30 for the first time in five years after being hampered by a bout of chicken pox and niggling wrist and rib injuries.

Posted by nana at 1:44 AM

PHOTOS JC defeated Karlovic 6-4, 6-1!! *w00t*



pic: forehand
pic: fist pump
pic: another ball toss
pic: moment of silence
pic: backhand

Posted by nana at 1:31 AM

ORDER OF PLAY Monday, April 11, 2005

Court Central start 10:00 AM

(WC)J Ferrero (ESP) vs I Karlovic (CRO)
(6)G Coria (ARG) vs (WC)P Mathieu (FRA)
(11)R Nadal (ESP) vs (WC)G Monfils (FRA)
H Lee (KOR) vs (2)M Safin (RUS)

Posted by nana at 4:18 AM

PHOTOS Juan Carlos Ferrero and Marat Safin visit the palace of Rainier in Monte Carlo

Joachim Johansson, Thomas Johansson, Mario Ancic, Marat Safin and JC visited the palace of the deceased Prince Sunday to pay their respects, four days before it will be open to the public. Of the five tennis players JC is the only one that is not a resident of Monaco but he was given a special invitation by the organizers of the Monte Carlo tournament.

<-- click for larger image


pic: all five players
pic: players up close (watermark)

>> full article (in Spanish)

Posted by nana at 2:57 AM

ARTICLE Juan Carlos Ferrero, Image of Mazda in Spain.

JC received a new Mazda RX-8 as he continues to be the spokesman for the the Japanese car maker in Spain. The relationship started in 2003 where he also received a new Mazda (a red one if you remember =P)



>> full article (in Spanish)

Posted by nana at 2:47 AM

MONTE CARLO DRAW Another tough draw for JC this week. He faces Ivo Karlovic in the first round. Some notable players in his half: Safin, Moya, Coria and Henman.


Federer (1) vs. Rusedski
El Aynaoui vs. Montanes
Verdasco vs. Gonzalez
Kuerten vs. Ancic (13)

Davydenko (10) vs. Melzner
Llodra vs. Costa
q vs. q
q vs. J.Johansson (7)

Gaudio (4) vs. q
Schuettler vs. Kiefer
q. vs. Calleri
Spadea vs. Stepanek (15)

Nadal (11) vs. Monfils
Chela vs. Malisse
Berdych vs. Horna
O.Rochus vs. Ljubicic (8)

Coria (6) vs. Msthieu
q vs. Beck
Starace vs. Martin
Lisnard vs. T.Johansson (12)

Hrbaty (14) vs. Ferrer
q vs. Lopez
Soderling vs. Santoro
Zabaleta vs. Henman (3)

Moya (6) vs. Puerta
q. Mayer
Arthus vs. Volandri
Andreev vs. Canas (9)

Novak (15) vs. Mirnyi
Ferrero vs. Karlovic
Saunier vs. Srichaphan
Lee vs. Safin (2)

>> draw (pdf)

Posted by nana at 4:52 AM

INTERVIEW Juan Carlos Ferrero: “Muchos aduladores han desaparecido del mapa en los malos momentos”


El valenciano asegura que ha salido del túnel y confía en volver a ser el de antes. Sin embargo, no olvida a muchos aduladores que “desaparecieron del mapa” en los malos momentos

El valenciano asegura que ha salido del túnel y confía en volver a ser el de antes. Sin embargo, no olvida a muchos aduladores que “desaparecieron del mapa” en los malos momentos

Con qué mentalidad llega al Open?
–Una mentalidad muy fuerte porque en Miami jugué bastante bien. Me siento con confianza. De todas formas es el primer torneo en tierra y será muy complicado.

–¿Se ve luchando por recuperar el título o hay que ir paso a paso?
–Hay que ir paso a paso, y más con la primera ronda que me ha tocado, porque Nadal es un jugador difícil.

–¿Qué puede pasar hoy?
–Depende también de cómo llegue él. Imagino que cansado y tocado físicamente, pero Rafa tiene mucha potencia y se recupera bien. Ya hizo la gira de Suramérica, donde jugó partidos en tierra, y no creo que haberlo hecho ahora en pista rápida le haya cambiado mucho.

–¿Ha visto usted el final del túnel en Cayo Vizcaíno?
–Hace mucho tiempo que no estoy metido en el túnel. Eso fueron cosas del año pasado y en el tres torneos me he puesto el 68. Poco a poco voy hacia arriba, hasta que coja un torneo que vaya arriba del todo. A lo mejor llega ahora en tierra.

–¿Cómo explicaría a la gente su caída después de ser número uno?
–Muy fácil. Estar cinco meses fuera de competición, perdiendo todo el tiempo los puntos que había ganado, y no poder defender los mil puntos de Roland Garros. Es sencillo.

–¿Después de aspirar prácticamente al título en todos los torneos, qué sentía al salir tan pronto de ellos?
–Son sensaciones nuevas. Ahora estoy un poco como cuando empezaba, subiendo. Hasta ahora no había bajado de ranking, siempre estuve en el top-ten y ahora es una situación nueva. Es un reto diferente y hay que afrontarlo con ilusión.

–¿Se volverá a ver la mejor versión de Ferrero?
–Yo pienso que sí. No creo que por bajar una vez tengas que estar ahí siempre. Soy el mismo de antes y tengo el mismo nivel, pero, bueno, ahora estoy muy atrás, juego contra los cabezas de serie a las primeras de cambio y hay que superar esas rondas para intentar coger puntos.

–¿Llegó a pensar en tomarse unos meses de descanso? ¿Cómo le afectó anímicamente?
–Anímicamente es muy duro volver atrás, pero tal vez no caí por mal juego, sino por todo el tema éste que pasó de la varicela y la lesión en la costilla. Son inconvenientes que uno no espera, pero tampoco puedes saltar encima de ellos, porque vienen inesperadamente. Hay que intentar aceptarlo y empezar de cero como he hecho.

–¿Han desaparecido los aduladores en esta etapa de vacas flacas?
–Muchos sí, mucha gente ha desaparecido del mapa en los malos momentos. Pero toda la gente que me quiere siempre ha seguido conmigo. Aunque eso no sólo me ha ocurrido a mí; eso le pasa a todos los tenistas que suben y luego bajan.

–¿En quién se ha apoyado en estos momentos difíciles?
–Pues en mi familia, la gente que me quiere y que trabaja conmigo, mis amigos...

–Empresarialmente, como propietario del Open, estará satisfecho. Ha dado un salto cualitativo.
–Bien. Ayer (por el lunes) vino muchísimo público. Hoy se ha notado un poquito que la gente empezaba a trabajar y cada año mejoramos.

–¿Qué jugadores pueden ganar?
–El título se puede quedar en casa, me refiero a un jugador español. Me parecería raro que venciera un extranjero porque es el primer torneo y los españoles siempre se adaptan mucho mejor.

–Ha sido usted el que ha negociado directamente con Kuerten para que reaparezca en Valencia.
–Sí.

–¿Cómo surgió la posibilidad de que jugara el Open?
–Él quería empezar en la temporada de tierra y este torneo le iba muy bien, porque arrancar en Montecarlo sin haber jugado ningún partido es un poco duro. Hablé con él y me dijo que venía.

–¿Cree que también él volverá a ser el de antes?
–Si se recupera bien, sí. Lo que pasa es que es una lesión bastante complicada. No le deja moverse con soltura. Pero si está físicamente como antes, claro. El tenis de uno no desaparece.

–Él, como contraprestación, le pidió que jugará un partido benéfico en Brasil.
–Sí, lo utilizamos como moneda de cambio.

–No duda en participar en este tipo de actos benéficos...
–No, por supuesto, por qué iba a dudarlo.

–¿Qué alternativas ve a la supremacía de Federer?
–Es un jugador que nos obliga a todos a subir un poco el nivel para ganarle. Yo jugué hace poco contra él en Dubai y tuve mis opciones, pero está muy confiado, juega bien en todas las superficies y es muy difícil ganarle.

–¿Será número uno durante años?
–Bueno, está claro que no siempre va a defender los puntos que gana y tal vez cuando pierda un torneo en el que defienda muchos puntos igual le pueden coger.

–¿Fue necesario tensar tanto la cuerda con el Club de Tenis?
–Las cosas pasaron y si ocurrió fue porque era necesario. Luego volvemos a estar bien. Son cosas que ocurren entre empresas que no opinan lo mismo sobre algunas cosas.

–¿Están satisfechos o no del todo?
–Ahora estamos muy bien, después de lo que se habló todo vuelve a ser como antes.

–¿A veces es preciso hacerse fuerte y dar un golpe en la mesa, como han hecho recientemente con el CT Valencia, las elecciones de la Federación Española, el G-3 y G-2...?
–Hay veces en que la gente se te sube un poco y hay que un golpe en la mesa y decir: ¡Estoy aquí! Eso es lo que hemos hecho.

–¿Le dolió no jugar la final de la Davis?
–Está claro que tenía ilusión por jugar. Por el ambiente, por lo que es, por todo... Pero yo finalmente no participé por un problema en la mano, no porque me quitaran. Luego Nadal jugó muy bien y logró el punto, con lo que todo salió bien.

–¿Puede ganar otra Ensaladera?
–Sí, por qué no, tenemos un equipo bastante joven y muy fuerte.

–¿Tiene heredero Ferrero en la Comunidad Valenciana?
–Espero que todavía no. Aún me quedan bastantes años.

–Me refiero al futuro, a que exista una alternativa.
–Ojalá. Hay jugadores más jóvenes, como Dani Gimeno, y otros que van hacia arriba. David Ferrer también es un poquito más joven. Espero que salgan valores de la Comunidad Valenciana y que suban.

–El Ferrero empresario crece rápido.
–Sí. Poco a poco hay que ir haciendo cosas para tener algo cuando me retire.

–¿Invierte según le aconsejan o por decisiones propias?
–Con gente que entiende y me aconseja lo mejor.

–La próxima es un hotel de lujo en Bocairent.
–Fue una finca que compré y donde en un principio no sabíamos qué hacer. Luego surgió esa idea. Haremos de todo, hasta banquetes de boda.

–¿Incluida la suya?
–No, no (ríe). Todavía es pronto.

Posted by nana at 10:25 PM

ORDER OF PLAY Wednesday, April 6, 2005

Pista Central start 12:00 NOON

F Mantilla (ESP) vs (2)F Gonzalez (CHI)
A Costa (ESP) vs S Koubek (AUT)

Not before 4:00 PM
J Ferrero (ESP) vs (3)R Nadal (ESP)
(Q)F Luzzi (ITA) vs (6)F Verdasco (ESP)

Posted by nana at 4:14 AM

EXHIBITION PHOTOS Monday, JC was joined by footballers Fiore, Mora and Forlán representing Valencia, Levante and Villarreal at an exhibition held at the Open de la Comunidad Valenciana.

pic: foot-tennis
pic: handshake
pic: line-up
pic: on the bench
pic: shaking hands

Much thanks to Ana for sharing this news clip of the exhibition match with us ^^

>> video

P.S. JC plays on Wednesday.


MONTE CARLO NEWS Ferrero, Mathieu and Lisnard Complete Wild Cards

The Organising Committee of the Masters Series Monte-Carlo has just awarded the last three wild-cards for the Main Draw of the Masters Series Monte-Carlo, which will take place from 9-17 April.

After those awarded to the young French hope, Gaël MONFILS last week, the last three “guests” for the Men's singles for the 2005 edition of the Monaco event of the ATP circuit are:

Juan-Carlos FERRERO (Esp) winner of the Monte-Carlo Tournament in 2002 and 2003

Paul-Henri MATHIEU (Fra) member of the Davis Cup team and principal actor in the victory against Sweden

Jean-René LISNARD (Fra)

Posted by nana at 1:03 PM

NEW LAYOUT Hope you guys like it ^^

Posted by nana at 10:02 AM

VALENCIA DRAW JC faces Rafael Nadal in the first round of Valencia.

DAVYDENKO, Nikolay (1) vs COSTA, Albert ESP
MATOS GIL, Israel vs KOUBEK, Stefan
CORRETJA, Alex vs Qualy
Qualy vs (6) VERDASCO, Fernando

(4) ROCHUS, Olivier vs KUERTEN, Gustavo
MONTANES, Albert vs MARTIN, Alberto
LABADZE, Irakli vs KARLOVIC, Ivo
BENNETEAU, Julien vs (5) FERRER, David

(7) ANDREEV, Igor vs VICENTE, Fernando
STARACE, Potito vs CALATRAVA, Alex
KOHLSCHREIBER, Philipp vs GARCIA-LOPEZ, Guillermo
FERRERO, Juan Carlos vs (3) NADAL, Rafael

8)CARLSEN, Kenneth vs Qualy
DUPUIS, Antony vs Qualy
MANTILLA, Felix vs HERNANDEZ, Oscar
PHAU, Bjorn vs (2) GONZALEZ, Fernando

>> full draw (pdf)


Nadal Draws Ferrero in First Round

[...]

The most eye-catching of the first round matches features Spanish teenage sensation Rafael Nadal against former World No.1 Juan Carlos Ferrero. The two have never met before. Nadal, who plays World No.1 Roger Federer in the final of the NASDAQ-100 Open on Sunday, has already claimed two titles this year (Costa do Sauipe, Acapulco), both on clay. Nadal is the third seed here and could meet Russian Igor Andreev in the quarterfinals. Andreev, from Moscow, moved to Valencia at the age of 15 and has trained here since.

>> article

Posted by nana at 2:50 AM