Granollers & Lopez Claim First ATP World Tour Finals Doubles Title

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez have claimed their first ATP World Tour Finals doubles title…

The 26-year-old and 30-year-old Spaniards beat India’s Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna 7-5 3-6 10-3 in a dramatic final at the O2 Arena to win the title.

“We finished here winning the title, so it’s incredible for us. We try to play as best as we can always; I think we have very good relationship. So, I think, that’s one of the key of our success,” said Granollers after the victory. “Marc is one of my best friends. To win here with him is very special. Thanks to the ATP for a great tournament and to Barclays for supporting our sport.”

In their debut as a team at the year-end tournament, Granollers and Lopez – the first Spanish duo to play at the ATP World Tour Finals since Sergio Casal and Emilio Sanchez in 1994 – became the first Spaniards to win the coveted trophy since Juan Gisbert and Manuel Orantes in 1975.

“It’s always tough playing them,” said Bhupathi. “They’re not a conventional doubles team. They make it very, very difficult in more ways than one, no matter who they play. We were expecting that. We fought hard to stay in the match. [We] got ourselves again into a match tiebreak. This time I think we just played a bad tiebreak. That sums it up.”

It’s the third title of the year for the Spaniards, seeded sixth out of the eight doubles teams at the ATP World Tour Finals. They also won in Rome and Gstaad.

The pair, who ends the season with a career-high ranking of No. 6 in the world, will next compete for Spain in next week’s Davis Cup final against the Czech Republic in Prague.

Ferrer Helps Lead Spain into the Davis Cup Finals…

Posted on September 16, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

David Ferrer is getting the superstar treatment in his native Spain…

The 30-year-old Spanish tenista beat John Isner on Sunday to put Spain up 3-1 and clinch the victory against the United States in the Davis Cup semifinals.

Ferrer’s 6-7 (3), 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 win over Isner helped Spain advance to the Davis Cup final for the ninth time.

Spain will now face off against the Czech Republic, which defeated Argentina in Buenos Aires.

Ferrer, Spain’s No. 1 player in the Davis Cup, needed two hours and 59 minutes to put away Isner, the U.S.’s No. 1 player.

“I’m very happy to make a Davis Cup final once again because I’ve always said that this competition is where I’ve had the most emotions and, especially, to be able to share this with this group, with these buddies that I get along so well with,” said Ferrer. “Making another final makes me proud.”

Spain will next face the Czech Republic November 16-18 in the Davis Cup tie.

Spain has 24 consecutive home wins and is closing in on the record of 28 set by Italy between 1949 and 1964.

“It takes a lot to get to the final, and since nobody has given us anything, we value it a lot,” Spanish Davis Cup captain Alex Corretja said.

Spain has won the Davis Cup five times, with the country’s most recent victory coming against Argentina last year in Seville.

Spain won tennis’ premier international team competition in 2000 and 2009 in Barcelona against Australia and the Czech Republic, respectively, in 2008 in Mar del Plata against Argentina and in Seville in 2004 against the United States.

“It’s a matter of doing things well to compete in finals. I’m very thankful for the effort of those who were able to come and of those who couldn’t,” Corretja said. “It’s very hard to make it at this level and the four who are here deserve it.”

After Ferrer’s win over Isner, Spain and the United States decided not to play the fifth match scheduled since the semis were decided.

Ferrero Announces His Retirement from Professional Tennis

Posted on September 12, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

It’s the end of an era for Grand Slam champion Juan Carlos Ferrero…

The 32-year-old Spanish tenista, a former World No. 1, says he’ll retire after playing in his hometown’s ATP tennis tournament, the Valencia Open, next month.

Ferrero, who started playing professional tennis 1998, rose to the top of the rankings in 2003 after winning the French Open and reaching the U.S. Open final, where he lost to Andy Roddick.

In his 14-year professional career, Ferrero won 16 titles and helped Spain win two of its five Davis Cup titles in 2000 and 2004.

“It was a complicated decision to leave a world you have lived in intensely,” said Ferrero, who is currently ranked No. 66 in the world. “But I have had a tough year and you start to notice that you don’t have the same ambition and motivation.”

Following his retirement from professional play, Ferrero has plans to devote his extra time to his tennis academy and his hotel. In July 2007, he bought an old cottage in Bocairente, 50 minutes south of Valencia and refurbished it into Hotel Ferrero, which features 12 luxury suites.

The Valencia Open runs October 20-28.

Verdasco Upsets Nadal at the Madrid Open

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Fernando Verdasco has scored a massive upset at the Madrid Open…

The 28-year-old tennis star—currently ranked No. 19 in the world—defeated his fellow countryman and the world’s No. 2 player Rafael Nadal, considered the King of Clay, 6-3, 3-6. 7-5.

After overcoming a first-set loss on the Open’s controversial blue-clay court, Nadal evened the score and appeared set to move on to the quarterfinals. But Verdasco took charge of the match to notch his first win over Nadal in 14 tries and handing his Davis Cup teammate his first defeat on clay in 23 matches.

“After losing so many times against honestly the best player on clay ever, to beat him on clay is the maximum,” an emotional Verdasco said after his exhausting match. “I don’t have words.”

Nadal—who notched his seventh consecutive title at the Barcelona Open last weekend—didn’t hide his dislike of the new blue clay at the Madrid Open this week, calling it soft and slippery.

Verdasco moves on to next play Tomas Berdych after the Czech beat Gael Monfils 6-1, 6-1.

Ferrer Leads Spain into the Davis Cup Semifinals

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

He’s one of the most improved players on the ATP Tour… And, now tennis star David Ferrer has secured defending champion Spain a place in the Davis Cup semifinals.

The 30-year-old Spanish tenista beat Austria‘s Jurgen Melzer 7-5, 6-3, 6-3 in Sunday’s reverse singles to give his team an insuperable 3-1 lead.

Despite his unsteady serve and gusting winds, Ferrer—the fifth-ranked player in the world—had little trouble remaining perfect in 14 matches on home clay en route to recording Spain’s first win over Austria in 33 years.

Ferrer broke Melzer in the last game of an even first set and didn’t let up to claim Spain’s 23rd straight home win, moving it into second place all-time for consecutive wins behind Italy’s record of 28.

Meantime, Spain’s Nicolas Almagro beat Alexander Peya to complete a 4-1 victory for the Spanish.

The five-time Davis Cup champions will face the United States in the semifinals.

del Potro Leads Argentina into Davis Cup Semifinals

Posted on April 8, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

He’s one of Argentina’s all-time greatest tennis stars… And, now Juan Martin del Potro is leading his country back to the Davis Cup semifinals…

The 23-year-old tenista, who is currently ranked No. 10 in the world, put Argentina into its third straight Davis Cup semifinal with his three-set victory over Croatia’s Marin Cilic.

Del Potro won 6-1, 6-2, 6-1, to give Argentina an insurmountable 3-1 lead in the best-of-five quarterfinal.

Meanwhile, del Potro’s countryman Juan Monaco defeated Antonio Veic 6-1, 6-1 to wrap up the 4-1 victory.

Argentina will now face the Czech Republic in Buenos Aires in the semifinal on September 14-16.

Argentina, which lost last year’s final against Spain, and has been in the Davis Cup finals four times without winning.

Iglesias Recognized as Spain’s Best-Selling Musician…

Posted on December 17, 2011 by Tom Castaneda

He’s one of Latin music’s brightest stars and one of the first to cross over into the English-language market… And, now Julio Iglesias is getting his due recognition.

During a special ceremony in his native homeland, the 68-year-old crooner was honored as the best-selling Spanish recording artist of all time in his home country, as well as the best-selling Spanish artist throughout the world.

To date, Iglesias has sold 23 million albums in Spain and more than 300 million albums worldwide, according to Sony Music.

Iglesias received his award from another of Spain’s biggest celebrities, tennis superstar Rafael Nadal. Fresh off his come-from-behind match to give Spain another Davis Cup triumph, Nadal praised his friend—the “great person” behind the famous artist—whose support he has always been able to count on “in difficult moments.”

“Julio can win the hearts of everyone in the world,” said the former World No. 1. “I believe it because, wherever I go, whether it’s Japan or the United States, sooner or later they’ll be playing one of his songs.”

Meanwhile, the Grammy-winning singer—who gave thanks to everyone who purchased his music, attended his concerts and game him their time—called the ceremony “the most important moment” of his 44-year career.

“Tomorrow I’ll think it was all a dream,” said Iglesias, who is probably best known for his hit single “To All The Girls I’ve Loved Before,” a
duet with Willie Nelson.

In a recent interview with Efe, Iglesias said he plans to continue singing, but will lead a much more secluded life by not appearing at awards
ceremonies, particularly after experiencing, he said, “such a magic moment.”

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