bbc.co.uk
August 10, 2024

Spanish teenager Rafael Nadal ended his recent slump in form with victory in the first round of the Prokom Open. Nadal, who beat world number one Roger Federer earlier this year before breaking his foot, saw off Victor Hanescu 6-4 6-4 at the Polish event.

That ended a run of three defeats in a row for the 18-year-old.

Fellow Spaniard and third seed David Ferrer, who was runner-up here last year, also went through after beating Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-4 6-3.

WEDNESDAY PREVIEW (from ATPtennis.com)

No. 6 seed Rafael Nadal is first on Centre Court on Wednesday as he takes on Frenchman Arnaud Di Pasquale. Nadal, who is aiming for his first career ATP title, has a 7-2 record on clay in 2004 and will be aiming to reach his sixth quarterfinal of the year.

No. 1 seed Marat Safin will continue his bid for his first ATP title since 2002 when he takes on Spain�s Marc Lopez.

Local wild card Lucasz Kubot will aim for his second career ATP match win in his encounter against 2002 Sopot finalist Franco Squillari. Kubot, who upset No. 4 seed Igor Andreev in the first round, is ranked 327th in the INDESIT ATP Entry Ranking.

And Juan Monaco, 100th in the INDESIT ATP 2004 Race, will look to continue his breakthrough year on the ATP circuit when he plays big-serving Swiss Marc Rosset. Monaco is aiming to reach his third quarterfinal of the year and defeated Rosset in a challenger earlier this year in Brawnschweig.