Alix Ramsay
Telegraph
April 1, 2024

In a country where the American flag flutters proudly from rooftops, car windows, hotdog stands and burger outlets, the Nasdaq-100 Open is a very un-American place to be. There are only two US players left in the draw and all eyes are on their South American cousins, who regard this place as a home from home.

Fernando Gonzalez is something of a superstar back home in Chile, and when his game is on song he is more than a handful for any opponent. On Tuesday night he made his way into the quarter-finals with a 7-6, 4-6, 6-2 win over Rafael Nadal, the 17-year-old from Spain whom many regard as a world No 1 in waiting.

Nadal has already had his moment of magic here, beating Roger Federer, the current No 1, in straight sets over the weekend. Against Gonzalez and his overpowering forehand, he could not quite reach the same heights - but it was awfully close and Gonzalez was awfully impressed.

"It was tough," the Chilean said. "He is a great player. I have no words to say how big he will be."

As for Nadal, he was taking it all in his stride and merely marked down his week in Florida as another step on his career path. "I didn't have my best day today," he said. "I beat the No 1 in this tournament and I just have to keep going forward."

Andy Roddick is going forward at full speed, reaching the last eight with a simple, if powerful, 6-3, 6-3 win over Guillermo Canas of Argentina. He now plays another Spanish speaker, Carlos Moya. Roddick has won their encounters in the past but they have both been three-set battles.

Vince Spadea, at 29, is as surprised and delighted as anyone with his appearance in the quarter-finals. He won his first title in Scottsdale three weeks ago and, after beating Paradorn Srichaphan 5-7, 6-3, 6-2, he is playing better than most of his countrymen. It still is not enough to earn him a place in the US Davis Cup team for their tie with Sweden as Patrick McEnroe, the team captain, wants to give the younger men experience.

Spadea, although disappointed, is taking the rejection well. "I feel like if I was 22 right now," he said, "maybe the decision would have been even more difficult."

Back in London, as Jeremy Bates prepares for Great Britain's Davis Cup tie with Luxembourg, he must wish he had the luxury of having so many players to upset with his team selection.