Home>News Center>Sports
         
 

Coria, Safin, Hewitt advance at Monaco

Updated: 2004-04-22 13:09

Guillermo Coria overwhelmed Nicolas Kiefer 6-0, 6-3 Wednesday to reach the third round of the Monte Carlo Masters.

The third-seeded Coria improved to 7-0 on clay and 19-5 overall this season.

With defending champion Juan Carlos Ferrero exiting in the first round, Coria is now favorite to win at Monte Carlo. He lost in the final last year.

"It's good that Juan Carlos is out, because he is a very good player," Coria said. "My confidence right now is very high. I'm at ease on the court and very confident for this tournament."

Coria's form on clay is outstanding, with 22 straight wins since losing to Martin Verkerk in the 2003 French Open (news - web sites) semifinals.

The Argentine will face Andrei Pavel on Thursday.

In other action, two-time major champion Lleyton Hewitt came back from a set and 0-3 down to beat Gaston Gaudio 1-6, 7-6 (5), 6-1. Hewitt even saved two match points at 6-5 in the second set.

"I was really struggling," Hewitt said. "He was playing some incredible tennis, and I was just trying to hang in there. I was a bit lucky in the end."

Hewitt hit only 28 winners and 52 unforced errors. But he feels the hard-fought nature of the match will pay off.

"It's good for my French Open preparation," he said. "Gaudio's got one of the best backhands in the world and moves so well on this surface. This gives me confidence for my clay-court season."

Hewitt could face Tim Henman in the quarterfinals if both win in the third round.

The sixth-seeded Henman advanced with a 6-3, 6-7 (8), 6-3 win over David Sanchez. Henman now plays No. 9 Nicolas Massu.

Also, Marat Safin eliminated Max Mirnyi 6-4, 6-3 and next faces Wayne Arthurs, Rainer Schuettler beat Jean-Rene Lisnard, and No. 7 David Nalbandian got past Felix Mantilla 6-0, 5-7, 7-6 (4).

Two seeded players lost: No. 8 Sebastien Grosjean and No. 14 Verkerk

 
  Today's Top News     Top Sports News
 

North Korea's Kim agrees to push forward 6-party talks

 

   
 

Kelly: Take Beijing's resolve seriously

 

   
 

Sino-Russian military ties deepened

 

   
 

Fake milk powder wholesale dealers detained

 

   
 

China, US reach deals on trade issues

 

   
 

Greenspan: China may be overheating

 

   
  Grizzlies' Brown named NBA Coach of Year
   
  Bucks hold on to beat Pistons 92-88
   
  Bryant defense barred from medical records
   
  Maradona stays on respirator in hospital
   
  UEFA lifts soccer game ban against Israel
   
  Kings roll past Mavericks 83-79 in Game 2
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
Advertisement