Date:03/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/03/stories/2008050355971900.htm

Sport - Tennis

Nadal keeps winning

Barcelona: Rafael Nadal’s clay-court juggernaut roared ahead on Thursday, with the Spaniard winning his 100th match from 101 on the surface to reach the quarterfinals of the Barcelona Open. Nadal worked for one hour, 45 minutes to beat friend and 16th seed Feliciano Lopez 6-4, 6-3. Nadal has been beaten only once on his favoured surface in three years.

His lone loss during his run of form came in the Hamburg final last spring to rival Roger Federer, who swept a 6-0 fifth set.“I’m happier to be in the quarterfinals in Barcelona, I’m not thinking about the victories,” said the World No. 2, who faces a fast turnaround when he meets Juan Chela in a Friday match.

“This is one of my favourite events and playing Feliciano is always tough,” said Nadal.

The results: Barcelona: ATP Barcelona Open: Third round: Rafael Nadal bt Fernando Lopez 6-4, 6-3; David Ferrer bt Nicolas Lapentti 4-6, 6-4, 6-3; Albert Montanes bt Mikhail Kukushkin 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, Juan Chela bt Ernests Gulbis 2-6, 6-4, 6-3; Stanislas Wawrinka bt David Nalbandian 6-3, 6-1; Tommy Robredo bt Guillermo Canas 6-1, 7-5; Rafael Nadal bt Feliciano Lopez 6-4, 6-3; Denis Gremelmayr bt Dmitry Tursunov 6-4, 6-0.

At Munich: ATP BMW Open: Second round: Marat Safin bt Michael Berrer 7-6(4), 6-7(5), 6-3; Younes El Aynaoui bt Steve Darcis 6-4, 3-6, 6-3; Fernando Gonzalez bt Kristof Vilegen 1-6, 7-5, 6-3;

At Prague: ECM Prague Open: Second round: Vera Zvonareva bt Magdalena Rybarikova (w/o); Shahar Peer bt Tsvetana Pironkova 7-5, 6-2; Victoria Azarenka bt Tatiana Poutchek 6-2, 6-2; Katarina Srebotnik bt Melinda Czink 6-0, 6-2; Klara Zakopalova bt Vera Dushevina 6-4, 1-6, 6-3.