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Men's Tennis
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Women's Tennis
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| Friday, May 18 |
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| Ferrero shooting for rare double Associated Press | |||
HAMBURG, Germany – Juan Carlos Ferrero is on target to
accomplish something that hasn't been done in nearly 30 years: win
in Rome and Hamburg in the same year.
Ferrero extended his winning streak to 15 and led three
Spaniards into the semifinals of the $2.95 million Tennis Masters Series Hamburg on
Friday.
Ferrero, at No. 8 one of only two seeded players left in the
tournament, overcame left thigh problems to beat Thomas Johansson
of Sweden 6-2, 6-2.
Albert Costa, champion here in 1998, defeated Fabrice
Santoro of France 6-1, 6-2 and will face Ferrero in the semifinals.
Albert Portas beat Alberto Martin 6-3, 6-2 in an all-Spanish
quarterfinal. Lleyton Hewitt, the seventh seed from Australia,
downed Franco Squillari of Argentina 6-4, 6-2 and will play Portas
in the semifinals.
Ferrero is seeking to repeat the feat of Spain's Manuel Orantes,
the last player to win at Rome and Hamburg in the same year. He did
it in 1972.
With his recent consistency, Ferrero has established himself as
a strong contender for the French Open title. He might not be seen
at Wimbledon.
The 21-year-old Ferrero said Friday that he might stay away from
Wimbledon if the tournament decides to designate the seeded
players.
"I want to play Wimbledon, but I don't know what is going to
happen with the seedings," Ferrero said.
"It will depend on the seedings," he said when asked whether
he would play there. Other top clay-court players also have
threatened to boycott Wimbledon if it continues to favor
grass-court specialists in its seeding system.
Wimbledon has done away with its seeding committee in a move to
avert a boycott by the world's leading clay-court players.
The All England Club has based its list on a player's
grass-court credentials, often relegating clay-courters below their
rankings or out of the seedings.
Spain's prowess on clay has been demonstrated at Hamburg.
"We have to enjoy this moment because there aren't so many
tournaments on clay," Ferrero said.
Ferrero won in Rome last week for his fourth title of
the year and is on the longest winning streak of the season. Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories | |
ALSO SEE Friday's results Ferrero threatens Wimbledon boycott over seeding issue Ferrero runs winning streak to 14th straight matches | |
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