[takuma]

Originally Posted by SaraV

I don't think Nico will be back in Europe this year. When I spoke to him the other night, he said he would be playing in South America for the remainder of the season - at least he said that before he got to the final in Palermo. I have a feeling though that he will follow through on his plans to stay on the clay for the last few weeks of the season and make a big run at the start of the next season - after all he has nothing to lose (literally - no points) because of his Hepatitis at the start of this year.

Thank You for this insight That would be a sensible decision of him to take part in southamerican clay events for the rest of the year rather then coming back to Europe..but still, I wish I saw him in Bercy *dreaming*...

I think Nico really deserves his week off. When the new rankings list appears its going to prove that Nico has nearly halved his ranking in the last 2 weeks and lets hope he continues to move up the list in the coming weeks.

Yess, it's amazing his rank rises so high/fast! Jumping in two steps,from 111 to ~68th place...Still waiting for the official atp ranking update, they're delayed cause of postponed Mumbai final, but it should be somewhat close to this prediction..He's getting really close to the magic top50.Keep it up Nico

[guille&tati4life]

Nico's last 2 weeks have been incredible and it's great to see him getting toward the top 50 again
Vamos!

[takuma]

YES!He is 68!Moved 16 positions up, which is[apart from Koubek,who got +25, and is ranked 93 now]the biggest jump within the top100 this week

[Kezzi]

I'm sooo happy Nico is playing so well!

[takuma]

He's withdrawn from Medellin Challenger, anybody knows why?There's no info to be found anywhere..Is it just a longer break?Hope he's ok..
[or maybe he really is getting ready for Bercy? ]
*Vamos Nico*

[Jule81]

i´m wondering myself but i guess it´s just a longer break after those 2 incredible but hard weeks as he has no points to defend there.

[Slice]

Originally Posted by takuma

He's withdrawn from Medellin Challenger, anybody knows why?There's no info to be found anywhere..Is it just a longer break?Hope he's ok..
[or maybe he really is getting ready for Bercy? ]
*Vamos Nico*

Maybe his coach is looking for fashionable (and warm) sleeping bag so such inessential stuff like challenger in Medellin would be distracting for him . And for Nico too of course.

But seriuosly. I found playing in Medellin complete nonsense esp. with rank 68. No matter how much we like him and how much we would like him to improve his status, it's obvious he has no much time and playing with his present form in Bercy, Madrid or wherevere else in tour seems more appropriate. I have no idea if he considers such solution but definitely it is better way to TOP50 than tramping in challs. Kubot when defeated Grosjean achieved more than in Szczecin where he overcame 2 opponents. Being 30 yrs of age requires right and efficient choices (truism)

[SaraV]

The Medellin challenger was not part of the Copa Petrabas tour - I should think that when Nico entered for this challenger it was before his huge rise in the rankings and rightly pulled out to preserve his tennis for the CP challengers where hopefully he will have chances to improve.

He is down for Bogota (Madrid week), Montevideo (Basel week) and now Aracuju (sorry spelling from memory ?) the week of Paris Bercy. So we have confirmation he will stay playing on the outdoor clay courts in South America ... something which Im sure has more attraction than playing indoors in depressing autumn Europe. Also not so far to travel.

He said I think back in September that he would finish off with 4 or so challengers in S America towards the end of the season. Presumably he entered all those that came up, then Poland and Palermo happened so he decided to tailor his tournaments a little better.

s

[Slice]

Yep, seems someone must hurt ( takuma) when someone else cheers. In my oppinion he should hammer iron till its hot. Building rank on challengers is art for itself :/. Ok but he certainly knows better.

[takuma]

You're 71 now.Back to work hun

[takuma]

Rogério Silva (BRA) v. Nicolas Lapentti (ECU), 7/6(6) 6/4

[kiwifan80]

[guille&tati4life]

oh dear

[takuma]

Bogota wasn't cool, but it doesn't mean Montevideo won't!Time for the next step, tomorrow on the central court (1)Nicolas Lapentti (ECU) vs (Q)Brian Dabul (ARG)...Hope for a better performance this time..Vamos Nico!

[takuma]

...and so it was Nico defeated the argentine qualifier 6-2 6-2 Next step: Marcel Granollers-Pujol from Spain..Then our ecuadorian will most probably face Berlocq or Pashanski in the quarters. Good luck!