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  • Coria edged out but find plenty to be happy about

    4/30/08 12:10 AM | David Cox
    - Guillermo Coria produced probably his best performance of the year, coming very close against Teimuraz Gabashvilli, the Russian proving the more solid when things got tight in the decider to win 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.

    It was a very streaky match, Coria was 2-5 down in the first before reeling off 5 straight games but then in set 3 he was 4-2 up.

    Afterwards, Coria was very optimistic about his future in tennis “Despite everything, I am quite happy, at times I played at a very high level and I’m pleased because I did my best. I got unlucky at some points and Teimuraz took risks and played well at the important moments.”

    David Nalbandian recovered from a disastrous start against Agustin Calleri to move through to the last 16 1-6, 7-6(2), 6-3. The 3rd seed looked to be heading for an early flight to Rome, as the underdog Calleri romped through the opener allowing his opponent just 14 points. Having been comprehensively outplayed in all areas of the court, Nalbandian began set 2 aggressively, looking to get the first strike in. He went 4-1 up before getting pegged back and going into the tiebreak Calleri looked like he’d wrap it up in straights. He faded though, Nalbandian rattling through it 7-2. The 3rd seed took an immediate strangehold on the 3rd, breaking in the opening game. He sealed the match with a stunning forehand return to book a clash against Stanislas Wawrinka or Yuri Schukin

    Reflecting on the match, Nalbandian was far from happy with his recent form “I didn’t leave the court very happy. I need to tighten my game a little bit, as I’m not in my best form but I’ll get there. I have a difficult draw, so I’ve got no choice but to improve day by day and match by match to find my best game.”

    Jarkko Nieminen’s dire run continues, he lost 6-4, 6-4 to qualifier and world no 148 Mikhail Kukushkin. It was Kukushkin’s first win on the ATP tour but he’s more than handy on the clay having won the strong Barletta challenger earlier this year

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