Estoril Open 2002 News and Events

April 8, 2002

Former champion Carlos Moya began his quest for a second Estoril Open title after defeating Argentina's Franco Squillari 7-5, 6-4 in the first round.

Moya, who won the title in 2000 after defeating fellow countryman Francisco Clavet in the final, is seeking his second clay court trophy of the year following his victory in Acapulco in February.

"It was a very good win for me because I had never beaten [Squillari]," said Moya. "It's a great feeling to be here in Estoril."

Moya, who also reached the quarterfinals in Scottsdale on hard courts earlier this year, said he is excited about the upcoming clay court circuit. "I feel very fit right now and just want to win," said Moya. "I'm glad to be playing well, but I want to keep the pace all the way to Roland Garros.

"I would especially like to play well in the Masters Series events, because that's where the points are. I didn't play too well in Monte Carlo, Rome or Hamburg last year, so I want to play better this time."

Fantasy League

Also through to the second round is Moya's fellow countryman Albert Montanes, a highly-fancied player among ATP Fantasy Tennis League Managers. The 21-year-old Barcelona resident defeated Portuguese wild card Nuno Matias 6-1, 6-2.

Argentine David Nalbandian continued to show why he is dangerous on clay as he defeated former finalist Clavet in straight sets, while Dominik Hrbaty, a finalist at the Tennis Masters Series Monte Carlo two years ago, defeated Britain's Martin Lee. Nalbandian's second round opponent will be Sjeng Schalken, a 7-6 (2), 6-2 winner against Harel Levy.

SANEX WTA TOUR

Russians Score First Round Upsets

A pair of young Russians upset two of this week's seeded players in Monday's Sanex WTA Tour action at the Estoril Open.

Russian wild card Dinara Safina created the day's biggest ruckus, knocking out No. 3 seed Martina Sucha in three sets, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1. Safina, ranked No. 404 in the world, is the younger sister of ATP star Marat Safin.

Safina's Russian compatriot, Elena Bovina continued the trend by dropping No. 8 seed Eleni Danilidou in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6 (5).

Bovina is no stranger to surprising the crowds in Estoril. Last year, playing as a qualifier, Bovina advanced all the way to the final before falling in three sets to Angeles Montolio.

The only other seeded player in action on Monday, No. 6 seed Petra Mandula, avoided the first round bug by beating Croatia's Silvija Talaja, 6-4, 6-3.

Two players from the Slovak Republic scored victories against their German opponents in the day's other two singles matches, as Ludmila Cervanova defeated Jana Kandarr, 7-6(3), 6-2 and Tina Pisnik won in three sets over Martina Muller, 6-0, 4-6, 6-4.