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Ivanisevic`s long lay off takes toll in defeat to Spanish teen
Estoril, Apr 16: Former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic played his first clay court match for three years here Wednesday and the long lay-off showed as he was dumped out of the Estoril Open 6-4, 6-1 by Spain`s Rafael Nadal.
Estoril, Apr 16: Former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic played his first clay court match for three years here Wednesday and the long lay-off showed as he was dumped out of the Estoril Open 6-4, 6-1 by Spain's Rafael Nadal.
For the second time in three weeks, the 17-year-old Spanish sensation earned a victory over the Croatian who last played on the surface during qualifying for the Rome Masters in 2001.
Two months later, Ivanisevic hit the high point of his career, lifting a cherished trophy at Wimbledon, then sinking into two years of injury hell which required shoulder surgery and a stop-start comeback.
Fit and eager again, the 32-year-old said he's keen to face his second start on the dirt, coming next week at the Masters Series in Monte Carlo.
"He has an unbelievably heavy forehand," said Ivanisevic after his first round defeat. "I lost, but it wasn't so bad.
"If I can play with him, I can play with anyone, he didn't beat me badly, I feel ok."
The 66-minute match at the Estadio Nacional put the Spanish teenager into the second round of the 748,859-euro tournament, where he will play either Chilean second seed Nicolas Massu or France's Richard Gasquet.
Bureau Report
For the second time in three weeks, the 17-year-old Spanish sensation earned a victory over the Croatian who last played on the surface during qualifying for the Rome Masters in 2001.
Two months later, Ivanisevic hit the high point of his career, lifting a cherished trophy at Wimbledon, then sinking into two years of injury hell which required shoulder surgery and a stop-start comeback.
Fit and eager again, the 32-year-old said he's keen to face his second start on the dirt, coming next week at the Masters Series in Monte Carlo.
"He has an unbelievably heavy forehand," said Ivanisevic after his first round defeat. "I lost, but it wasn't so bad.
"If I can play with him, I can play with anyone, he didn't beat me badly, I feel ok."
The 66-minute match at the Estadio Nacional put the Spanish teenager into the second round of the 748,859-euro tournament, where he will play either Chilean second seed Nicolas Massu or France's Richard Gasquet.
Bureau Report