Nadal wins confidence on hardcourt from China Open
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-09-19 17:24

French Open champion Rafael Nadal could no longer be called only as the King of Clay after the 19-year-old showed his tennis at the China Open ATP hardcourt tournament with an undisputed title-winning run.

French Open champion Rafael Nadal could no longer be called only as the King of Clay after the 19-year-old showed his tennis at the China Open ATP hardcourt tournament with an undisputed title-winning run. [baidu]

With his heavily top-spin, consistent groundstrokes and a die-for-it attitude, the talented Spaniard, who came back from one set down to beat second-seeded Guillermo Coria of Argentina 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 here on Sunday, proved himself here with a quality to be the champion at any tournament on any surface with wonderful fitness and court coverage.

"I guess I can play well on hardcourt. I reached final in Miami, I won in Montreal, but I played badly in Cincinnatti as well as at the U.S. Open," said Nadal, whose victory at the Montreal Masters last August had proved his hardcourt prowess. "I think if I play bad, I can lose on clay, and if I play well I can win on hardcourt. "

Regarded the most promising youngster to world tennis, Nadal's position on the ATP ranking board has rised from 51st to 2nd in six months, and after claiming his ever-first grand slam title of career at Roland Garros last June, the teenager's eyes have been set on a further self-approval.

"I'm getting a little bit tired after the match week, but winning the China Open makes me quite happy and more confident," said the Spanish teenager.

Holding a better win-lose record against Argentines, Nadal said there's no know-how but the Argentines mostly play the same style with him.

"It's good for me that they play the same with me, top-spin and clay-favorite. They are good players and I can lose any match against Argentines. For today's final victory, well, I just win a match," he said.

The 19-year-old even got praised by his opponent. "Nadal is a great player, this year could become his year and he's so confident like the fortune always stands by him," said Coria at a post-match press conference after losing the China Open title to the Spaniard.

"I'm not upset for losing to him, since he played wonderful tennis today and I'm glad to commit a highlighted defeat," he added.

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