ATPtennis.com
August 14, 2024

Spanish prodigy Rafael Nadal showed some impressive physical and mental strength on Saturday, advancing in adverse conditions and winning both his quarterfinal and semifinal matches in straight sets.

A wet court and windy conditions failed to impede the 18-year-old from Mallorca, who first defeated 2002 Idea Prokom Open finalist Franco Squillari before seeing off countryman Felix Mantilla 7-5, 6-1 in the semifinals.

Meanwhile, Argentina�s Juan Monaco showed his fighting qualities in his quarterfinal match against Spain�s Marc Lopez. After 2 hours, 22 minutes, Monaco prevailed 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(6), saving two match points in the process. Lopez, who served for the match at 5-3 in the third, was unable to seize his opportunities as Monaco, who got 87 per cent of his first serves in, advanced to his first career ATP semifinal.

Monaco, however, ran out of heroics later in the day in his semifinal match against 2002 Idea Prokom Champion Jose Acasuso, losing out 6-4, 6-2. Acasuso had earlier defeated qualifier Jiri Vanek in three tough sets in his quarterfinal match.

WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID:

Nadal: "It�s been a very hard day after yesterday�s rain. The court was pretty bad in my first match against Franco. You couldn�t play very well. We didn�t play a very good match.

"But this afternoon, I played much better, with much better light and I think it was my best match so far in Sopot. It was a close match. It was important to win, especially after my injury it�s always hard and after all the work it�s good to be in the final and let�s see if I can win. I�m in good shape, I�ve got another doubles match now so we�ll see what happens."

On the final next : "I hope to play well, but whether I play well or badly, the only thing that matters is to win."

Acasuso: "It was a very long and hard day but luckily I won my first match in three sets and in the second match I played really well from start to finish, so I�m very happy and I hope to play the same way tomorrow."

On his unbeaten run in Sopot: "It's chance, I wasn�t playing well beforehand. I started well here and feel good at this tournament, so it gives you extra confidence. Tomorrow I�ll just go into the match and try and play my game.�