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Spanish teen sensation reaches second round in Stuttgart
Stuttgart (Germany), July 16: Teenager Rafael Nadal tamed German qualifier Philipp Petzschner 7-5, 6-1 to move into the second round of the 765,000-euro ATP tournament here yesterday.
Stuttgart (Germany), July 16: Teenager Rafael Nadal tamed German qualifier Philipp Petzschner 7-5, 6-1 to move into the second round of the 765,000-euro ATP tournament here yesterday.
The 17-year-old Spaniard Nadal has already proved himself in the heat of competition since the spring, defeating senior compatriots Albert Costa and Carlos Moya on clay.
His victory against 19-year-old Petzschner puts him into a contest today against Chile's sixth seed Fernando Gonzalez.
While Nadel is new to the ATP, he is learning fast - and applying his natural talents to the clay of the Weissenhof Club. He comes to Stuttgart from his first career semi-final last weekend in Bastad, Sweden.
"Germany has been very good for me, I reached the final of a challenger in Hamburg in February and had a great Masters in Hamburg.
"For the moment, Germany is fine, I like playing here," said the world number 58.
David Sanchez became the first of the Spaniards to lose when he had to retire due to a lingering knee injury, giving Italy's Filippo Volandri a 6-0, 3-0 win into the second round, where he will face fourth-seeded Wimbledon semi-finalist Sebastien Grosjean of France.
Injury worries plagued Swiss Michal Kratochvil as he couldn't hold on to a winning first set, crashing out to Belgian Olivier Rochus 3-6, 6-2, 6-3.
Bureau Report
The 17-year-old Spaniard Nadal has already proved himself in the heat of competition since the spring, defeating senior compatriots Albert Costa and Carlos Moya on clay.
His victory against 19-year-old Petzschner puts him into a contest today against Chile's sixth seed Fernando Gonzalez.
While Nadel is new to the ATP, he is learning fast - and applying his natural talents to the clay of the Weissenhof Club. He comes to Stuttgart from his first career semi-final last weekend in Bastad, Sweden.
"Germany has been very good for me, I reached the final of a challenger in Hamburg in February and had a great Masters in Hamburg.
"For the moment, Germany is fine, I like playing here," said the world number 58.
David Sanchez became the first of the Spaniards to lose when he had to retire due to a lingering knee injury, giving Italy's Filippo Volandri a 6-0, 3-0 win into the second round, where he will face fourth-seeded Wimbledon semi-finalist Sebastien Grosjean of France.
Injury worries plagued Swiss Michal Kratochvil as he couldn't hold on to a winning first set, crashing out to Belgian Olivier Rochus 3-6, 6-2, 6-3.
Bureau Report