Madrid - Rafa Nadal, 17 years old, is in a hurry to grow up. So much so that he is capable of gaining any rival, like Schalken, the 4th seed of the tournament in Auckland, and the 1999 Champion. All veterans of the circuit have expressed surprised at the youth's promise to exchange shots. Close to him, who also moved onto the next round, are "Beto" Martin and David Sanchez. Also, a point from the second round was Alex Corretja, whom Kuerten forced to a 3rd set.
Comparing the more promising beardless talents of the ATP, Nadal and the Frenchman Richard Gasquet, there is no doubt that the Majorcan (Spanish) is better assimilated to the professional circuit than the French youth. Gasquet, some months younger than Nadal, was almost undefeatable when they played in the juniors. But things have changed since they both completed their first season among the ATP elite. Carlos Moya acknowledges Gasquet plays like a veteran, but with less talent than his countryman, Nadal. Gasquet finished 2003 just inside the 100th position of the Entry List. but Nadal is already among the 50 best in the world (and his name is getting more attention than Gasquet in the entire world).
Before Schalken, he (Nadal) demonstrated that he is able to keep a cool head in the delicate moments. He won the first set, and then the second set easily, like a veteran. Now, waiting for him in the second round is another promising youth, the Croatian Mario Ancic, a replica of Goran Ivanisevic, his idol.
For his part, "Beto" Martin hardly needed 2 sets for his win by a double 6-4 to his opponent and in the second round he will face Gustavo Kuerten, who defeated Corretja.
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