Estoril Open 2005 News and Events

April 26, 2005

Lucky loser Juan Antonio Marin caused the first major upset of the 2005 Estoril Open after defeating defending champion Juan Ignacio Chela in the opening round, but former winner Juan Carlos Ferrero saved two match points before defeating Marcos Baghdatis and set up an intriguing clash with top seed Carlos Moya.

As Ferrero and Baghadits entered the third set tie-break, the Cypriot forged into a 6-4 lead and had two points to upset the 2003 Roland Garros champion. But Ferrero saved both and sealed his place in the second round with a 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(6). win as Baghdatis produced a double fault on match point.

Looking ahead to his clash with Moya, Ferrero said: "I'm glad I've got a day off before we play. I'm still a bit tired form Barcelona. Of course it will be a tough match, playing Carlos, it always is when two Spanish guys meet. My confidence is getting better but it's not where it has been in past years at this time of the season."

Earlier in the day, Marin took 1 hour, 34 minutes to record a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Chela and book his place in the second round against 2003 finalist Agustin Calleri.

It is the seventh time the defending champion has lost in the first round in Estoril. Chela, the No. 9 seed, joins Emilio Sanchez (1991), Carlos Costa (1993 and '95), Alberto Berasategui (1999), Albert Costa (2000) and Nikolay Davydenko (2004).

"I tried everything to turn things to my side during the match, I had some opportunities to do it, but some how I couldn't get them," said Chela. "I knew his game, pretty solid, and I knew I had to be in control of the from the first minute. Unfortunately I made my mistakes before he made his, so pretty much that decided the match. I felt lost on the court, and it is true that I didn't come here with much confidence. But I intend to keep working hard in order to be fit for Roland Garros."

There was no such trouble for top seed and 2000 champion Moya, however, who defeated countryman Felix Mantilla 6-0, 7-6(5). In what was the 13th meeting between the two Spaniards, Moya claimed his eighth victory after 1 hour, 40 minutes on court.

"Today was a good match for me," said the former World No. 1. "I could have won more easily but my results have not been that good lately. Today I was able to play my game, I was confident on the court and it's just a matter of time. I have to keep working hard, practicing hard and try to keep improving. I don't feel there's any pressure on me and I like it that way."

Elsewhere on day two, Feliciano Lopez won another all-Spanish clash, defeating 1997 champion Alex Corretja in a three-set battle on Centralito. Corretja, who received a wild card into the tournament, won the first set tie-break before Lopez hit back to win 6-7(1), 7-6(4), 6-4 after 2 hours, 45 minutes. Lopez, the No. 8 seed, will now meet Albert Montanes for a place in the quarterfinals.

In the women's draw, top seed Flavia Pennetta went out at the first hurdle, going down 6-3, 7-6(8) to Ukrainian qualifier Olga Savchuk. Meanwhile, third seed Gisela Dulko came through a tight first set before eventually overcoming Stephanie Foretz of France 7-6(2), 6-2.