Former triple French Open winner Gustavo Kuerten’s comeback from injury ended at the second round stage of the Valencia ATP tournament in Spain on Thursday when he was beaten by Spain’s Albert Martin 6-2, 6-0.
But Spanish teenager Rafael Nadal, widely tipped as a possible champion at Roland Garros this year, was in awesome form in his 6-1, 6-4 win over Guillermo Garica-Lopez to advance to the quarterfinals.
The 18-year-old from Mallorca, who threw away a two sets and 4-1 lead over world number one Roger Federer in the final of the Miami Masters last weekend, wrapped up the first set in 44 minutes.
In the second, Nadal broke Garcia-Lopez’s serve in the first game and held on to win 6-4.
Nadal now has his sights set on a third title of the season after winning the clay-court titles in Costa du Sauipe and Acapulco and is 12-1 on clay this year (24-5 overall).
He now faces Russia’s Igor Andreev for a place in the semifinals, while reaching the last four here, he has moved into the third spot in the Champions Race behind Federer and Lleyton Hewitt.
”I played well, my legs felt better today. I thought the first set was actually harder than the second but I feel good because I never had any problems when I was serving.” Nadal said.
”I’m happy to be in the quarterfinals. It is not easy after coming from Miami. Whatever I do from now is a good win. There are some points at stake.
”Andreev has improved a lot lately. He beat [Juan Carlos] Ferrero in Roland Garros last year. I’m going to have to be very focused to win.”
Earlier, Martin took just 50 minutes to dispose of Kuerten.
Kuerten, absent from the tour for six months after undergoing a second hip operation, had beaten fourth-seeded Belgian Olivier Rochus 6-2, 6-4 in the first round but ran out of steam on Thursday.
The 28-year-old Brazilian is also making his comeback without the familiar sight of coach Larri Passos in his corner after the two recently separated following a 15-year partnership. — Sapa-AFP