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LATEST MARIANO NEWS Welcome to the latest news section. Hopefully this will have all the latest news for 2005.
Next Tournament Chela is top seed! - Mariano is seeded 4. Nathaliia from MTF is there... she has been adding comments to this thread on MTF here Lots of other interesting names are also in the draw. Bucharest - High seed Fernando Verdaso took Mariano out in the first round. Kathy from Romania was at this match - here is her review - Thanks Kathy! Tuesday. 13.09.2005 11:55 -And important match of the day between two players with a lot of potential is announced. - On the scoreboard of the central court are written the names of the players -the first one: VERDASCO(ESP)
-the second one: yeah :) ...ZAPALETA , I didn't misspell his name , if this is what you're thinking; but that's how his name was written on the scoreboard 12:00 - Players enter on the court - Mariano sees the scoreboard, he looks at his coach and with a smile on his face he's just wondering: "Ouh, Zapaleta? Who's that? It means that I'm in the wrong place..." - The dice are thrown. - Verdasco has the first serve. he starts in force..he won the first game, then Zaba won the second, then Verdasco. Then, then, then... Verdasco's winning the first set :( - Zaba seems like he's dreaming...i'm wondering what to ;? PAUSE - The second set is starting...Oh, yeah! Better and better and better, VAMOS MARIANO! ...but unfortunately Verdasco suceeds in winning the second set too.... - The match is over. The finally score was 6-2; 6-4 for Fernando Verdasco - El Negro lost. He lost the match! BUT he DIDN'T lost all the fans he got ...all those people who admire him...all the people who care about him and who love him!!! US OPEN Mariano met an in-form seeded Thomas Johannson in the first round.... Mariano also met him again in the first round of the Doubles... Thomas Johansson saw that Mariano's trip to NY this year was short and sweet. Stuttgart and Kitzbuhel A big group of us all met up at various stages during Stuttgart and Kitzbuhel - a great 15 days was had by all. Mariano reached the Qtr finals at Stuttgart, taking out A Thron, Oliver Rochus and Gilles Simon on route before meeting Gaston Gaudio - I tried running him down with Lucas and the Buggy, but Reiko was protecting Gaston! ;-) hehe - Mariano and Gaston played a fantastic match - to be totally honest it was THE match Mariano needed to get back into playing Top 15 players and forcing THEM to beat him. IT was a great match - it would have been even better if Mariano won... but - after a 3 month lay-off - the 4 live games and lots of unique special moments were all thrilling and priceless.... and that was just Stuttgart... The group then moved on and grew in Kitzbuhel. AND Mariano remembered to pack his incredible play too - so that was great. This time Mariano did one better and reached the Semi-Finals. He thrashed J Haenel in the first round and then crushed Nikolay Davydenko (No.1 Seed) in round 2, then took on Nicolas Almagro - this was a cute entertaining fun-filled, light-hearted, heart-felt, do-or-die, I really want to win this match - match, and had a really cute moment, Almagro questioning a call, Mariano answering the call (Out, + actions and measurements), Almagro, politely, are you sure? Mariano - gestures - Yes, Almagro - Really? More gestures... Mariano - Yes... idential gestures... Cedric Mauriea (Umpire) just sitting in his chair "watching" trying not to laugh.... in the end Almagro accepted the decision. It was a highlight of the match. Mariano won the match. There was an Shouder injury scare prior to this match - but luckily - his shoulder behaved (or he got great treatment!) and he won the match to reach the Qtr FInals AGAIN! Mariano played the night match for the Quarter finals - he played Feliciano Lopez. He was on Centre Court - he was the life and soul of the party. Kitzbuhel has a fantastic party atmosphere, they play great music to warm up the crowd and really get the crowd into the match. Mariano played out of his skin and basically made Feliciano look like an ametuer. IT WAS AWESOME!!! - he was extremely very happy with the win ;-) We waited outside for him to give him a hero's send off that night. It was a unique brilliant experience, which I hope there are plenty more of for other Mariano fans to enjoy all over the world! GASTON appeared again in the Semis! - this time though, although we were all set for a fantastic match again - complete with the players walking in Hand in Hand (very cute moment!) to Robbie William's "Let Me Entertain You!!!" as soon as they started actually playing - the heavens opened, the Umpire did not let them off the court, and the match was basically a wash-out - Gaston winning 6-1 6-1. Mariano was then relegated to Chief Cheerleader for Gaston - there were comments on TV when Gaston had a rain-delay against Verdasco - the cameras went to Mariano and the commentator said - that is his best friend, no doubt he will be joining him in the Locker Room to discuss the match so far...... - Corina and I took this que to get back to the Tennis quickly - as Mariano had not yet gone to Poland... and we got a chance to say goodbye properly... and tie up the loose ends to a really great 15 days. Please see the Message Board - for Kitzbuhel Memories, Reiko's Photos and Day-by-Day "news" from everyone. Mariano is back to defend his title. Birte is our "roving reporter" she has promised to keep us informed of all news. Mariano defeated Ramon Sluiter 2-6 6-1 6-4 Mariano faces Carlos Moya today - Good luck! - (and have fun Birte!) (Ahhh.... normal service has resumed.... ;o) )
Mariano is back playing again!!!!!!!!!!!!! He is playing Biella, Italy this week. Here is the draw Welcome back to European Clay.... you have been missed Best of luck - from your European and Worldwide Fans. Mariano is playing Monte Carlo this week. Mariano commanded a brilliant lead 6-4 2-1 (with a break) before the play was cancelled Monday due to Rain - The match started again this morning Tim snuck the second set... but Mariano showed him who rules on clay... and beat him!!! it was so lovely to see him celebrating in style! - Click here for pictures and comments and BBC game by game analysis.
Mariano def T Henman (a match of 2 parts) 6-4 4-6 6-2! Next is Fabrice Santoro
Mariano - best of luck today! Mariano is in Miami this week. He faced fellow former Junior No.1 G Muller from Luxemberg - and basically said - Get off my court!!! Mariano now faces Paradorn Srichaphan from Thailand. Mariano and Paradorn last played in Paris Bercy 2004, while this was an incredible match, lots of power play, intense atmosphere, excellent crowd support (packed stadium court) - unfortunately Paradorn won that encounter. This obviously means that today is Mariano's turn Seriously though, this should be a good match. Both players will play their best, there will be no gamesmanship - and whoever wins at the end, the appreciation towards the crowds will be genuine too. I WISH TO BE AT THIS MATCH!! (with my Argentine flag flying) This should be a great match! (Good luck Mariano..) Mariano WON! A group of us were following the stats and scoreboard...!
6-6 Tiebreak.
1-0 (M minibreak)
Set 1 Mariano!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
at (games) 1-2 Mariano fought back from 15-40 to hold...
Mariano tried really hard to break Paradorn, taking him to deuce nearly every game...
Set 2...
1-0 on serve (Mariano served first)
2 match points
HE WINS!!!!!!!! 7-6 6-3!!!
Next up... somebody called Roger Federer... Miami... Mariano almost beat Mr Unbeatable!!! 2-6 7-5 3-6 in round 3! for full typed coverage of this match - click hereThanks Mercedes! Congratulations on a great almost win!!!!!! This was the first TMS of 2005. Mariano met a very in-form Olivier Rochus, who played like a ferocious little rottwieler, Mariano played like a brilliant wildcat too.. it was an excellent match. The Court was packed and the comments from the people were really complementary. Everyone around me thought both players gave 100% and it showed. Mariano made lots of new fans that day... the rottwieler won... My 3 month old son is currently completing his first ever trip report.... here is his story so far... - enjoy!
Costa do Saupe - Brazil
1st Round - M Zabaleta def M Puerta 6-4 6-2 1st round What the Player Said (taken from www.atptennis.com)
Zabaleta:" I am feeling good since the beginning of the year I am playing solid tennis. It wasn't easy to face Mariano [Puerta], after Buenos Aires. He arrived with a lot of confidence but I played and served well."
"It's very humid and warm which makes it a little more difficult but we are used to play in these conditions so it is not a problem."
"I play against Guillermo Garcia Lopez, who I don't know. I have heard of him because he has won some good matches lately and he just defeated Juan Monaco so I know he is a good player." Mariano beat him very convincingly 6-2 6-2 - this is what he said Zabaleta: " Since the beginning of the swing in Vina del Mar, I am saying that I am playing great tennis at the moment. I feel really confident with my game and today, again I was really solid."
"I am very motivated and my objective is to win the tournament here."
"The next round, I play against Paul-Henri Mathieu or Alberto Martin, who still need to finish their match. It will be difficult but with the way I play at the moment I feel I can beat anybody."
Martin says: " I am happy I was able finish and win the match. It was a little unusual today, as we had to wait all day due to the rain. When we came back it was 4-4 in the second and I played an excellent game, that was key to the win."
"I gain a lot of confidence last week in Buenos Aires. I play now against Mariano Zabaleta who is playing really well at the moment. We played many times against each other so we will see what happens."
GOOD LUCK MARIANO!
Buenos Aires, Argentina. 1st round Mariano def Alex Calatrava - Tytta's Match Point-by-Point Service 2nd Round Nicolas Almagro def Mariano Zabaleta Tytta's Match Point-by-Point Service Mariano is in Chile this week - so are Kitzfan and Egg. They will hopefully be providing news - subject to internet access availability. Mariano will face Nicolas Lapentti in the first round. This may prove to be a trickier meeting than usual due to Nico's recent coach change, but should be a most entertaining match all round!!! - Kitzfan I look forward to your match report ;-) The result finally filtered in over the internet - the Official Site scoreboard did not work - but a couple of Chilian Media sites reported the same result :-)
Mariano Zabaleta def Nicolas Lapentti 6-1 6-2!!! - Congratulations Mariano!!!!!!!!! Good luck in round 2 from everyone that reads this. Santiago Ventura was easily despatched in round 2 - Here is Mariano's "What the Players Said" quote (taken from ATP Official Site News) Zabaleta: " I am very happy about the way I played today. Santiago [Ventura] showed last year that he is a difficult player on clay so I am very pleased I was able to win in two sets, without too many complications."
About the possibility of [p]laying Gonzalez in the next round:
"All rounds are difficult, it is true that playing Fernando [Gonzalez] here will be even more difficult. He will have all the crowd cheering for him, but we are professional players and are used to these situations of playing with the crowd against us." Mariano (and Fernando) Good luck tonight!!! Kitzfan and Egg - Match Report Please ;o) - Kitzfan. As before... If the Auckland result has to happen, there will always be Pizza. BUT! Mariano!!! - he has already won one tournament this year. Its YOUR turn tonight!
Australian Open 2005 Mariano drew Marcus Kimmic, a local Australian player for the first round of the Australian Open. He beat him in 4 sets - here are the stats for the match. Congratulations!! Mariano will now face Juan Carlos Ferrero in Round 2. Mariano will also be playing doubles with Juan Monaco. They face the 5th seeds Wayne Black and Kevin Ullyett on court 11 4th Match on Wednesday GWH is our Roving Reporter for Australia. He will updating us with news and gossip "live" from Melbourne GWH's 1st Round Match report Zabaleta vs Kimmich. I had never seen Kimmich play before and he definitely plays a lot differently to most Aussies, he plays a with a lot of spin on his forehand and in many ways he plays like he is on clay. Mariano was a bit sleepy going down 0-2 in the 1st set, then he woke up and started using his forehand to dominate the match and was moving him around well with very good angles and comfortably took the 1st set. The best thing that Kimmich does is the splits and he slides on Rebound Ace, he made a huge mark with his shoes after one of the points.
The second set was more of the same and Mariano wasn't dumping as many backhands in the net as he has done when he isn't playing well and that is a good sign. Mariano moving and serving well and was using Kimmich's pace to good advantage and opened the court up and hit behind him quite a lot.
I was thinking cool we will have a 3 set victory as Mariano breaks early, then loses concentration when close to the finish line and Kimmich tightens his game and manages to sneak through to the tiebreaker and was more solid and got a set when he probably shouldn't have.
The 4th set Mariano was back on track, and the funny thing was Kimmich's coach was saying that Mariano has some of the worst volleys he has ever seen, obviously he has never seen Acasuso, Mantilla or Ilie volley and I thought what a tool. He continued on opening the court up with his forehand and serving well and with a group like Mancini, Gumy, Lobo (coach), Chela watching him play he enjoyed it and now he has to take on Ferrero and if he serves well he can take him out. GWH's News Thread can be found here - thanks for all the news Mate! GOOD LUCK MARIANO FROM EVERYONE AROUND THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!! Mariano will start off 2005 in Auckland and will be playing G Jones, a Wild Card player from New Zealand. If Mariano comes through this match he will face the winner of Fernando Gonzalez and James Blake!!! Good Luck for 2005!!!!!!!!
Mariano destroyed local guy G D Jones the result was 6-0 6-2 He now faces Fernando Gonzalez This should be a great match!
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Mercedes wrote this news on the Board - 8 January 2005 Last night I saw an interview with Mariano in ESPN. He said that his objective for this year is to be among the first 20, as he was so close in previous years.
Last year was not so good for him, even though he got good results in some tournaments (like Roma or Bastad) but that the injury he began the year with complicated the rest of the year (it was not completely healed). That's why he lost Roland Garros in 2nd round.
He also said that he admires Roger Federer and David Nalbandian's game.
And that he aims to win Davis Cup...
That is all that I remember...
Regards to all....
-------- Thanks for the news Mercedes!
Good Luck for 2005!!!!!!!! - we hope you reach your objective!
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after all, I know for a fact that both these players are very friendly, polite and both have beautiful manners - then it is only fair (Paradorn..) that Mariano wins TODAY 
This is their 2nd (official) meeting.
Congratulations Mariano!!!!!!!!!! 
This is their 3rd (official) meeting.
