7 is Nico Almagro’s lucky number
Winning 17 games is normally enough to win a match - but not against Nicolas Almagro of Spain (Original 130) who insisted on winning every set - even if it was by the closest of margins - 7-6(0) 7-6(7) 7-5.
But a win is a win - at least under the current ranking system that takes no account of who you beat and by how much - just as long as you win. So his opponent today - Jeremy Chardy of France - gets no more ranking points and no more in his pocket as a result of providing the fans with a terrific and close match than he would if he had lost 6-0 6-0 6-0. Pity….
© Manuela Davies - doubleXposure.com
Nico advances to the quarterfinals with his win and has already done better than his seeding (19) predicted. He will face countryman and 2nd seed Rafael Nadal. After the match, he was asked how he thought he could beat Rafa. “By winning more points than he does!” was the quick reply…
© Manuela Davies - doubleXposure.com
Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain (Alu Power 125 and Original 130) beat Flavia Pennetta of Italy (Alu Power 125) 6-3 6-2 to advance to the quarterfinals where she will meet Jelena Jankovic. Carla is from the Canary Islands rather than mainland Spain. Although she is handling the conditions better than many of her opponents, she much prefers the warmer temperature of the islands. But she has had almost a year to adjust as she has moved to the colder climate of Barcelona where she is now training. Carla has already played and won 7 matches having earned a place in the main draw as a result of winning 3 qualifying matches. She is the first qualifier to make it to the quarterfinals since 2001. This is also her first Grand Slam event and she is understandably delighted to have made it this deep into the draw. When asked if she preferred the style of Aranxta Sanchez Vicario or Conchita Martinez when growing up, the 19-year-old replied, “I was one year old when Aranxta won the French Open Championship!”
© Manuela Davies - doubleXposure.com
And, for something completely different, I hear that there is a very long list of applicants for trainer positions on the pro tour…