DAVIS CUP: Spain 4:1Austria

OROPESA DEL MAR, SPAIN: Spain came to Marina d’Or as the overwhelming favourite to win their Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group quarterfinal tie against Austria and they didn’t disappoint.


The doubles was a different story, however, and Alexander Peya and Oliver Marach really used Saturday’s rain break to their advantage. A set down when the heavens opened, the Austrian duo used their time wisely, reassessing their tactics and playing style and returned to the court to duly turn the match around.
Perhaps the experience of playing together more regularly on the Tour, a partnership which has seen them claim two ATP titles including at Auckland earlier this year, gave them the edge against Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez.

Samuel López - head coach of JC Ferrero tennis academy

Samuel López is one of our coaches, co-founder of the Juan Carlos Ferrero - Equelite Sport Academy and, nowadays, the Nicolás Almagro tennis coach.

He is the one in charge of the JC Ferrero's trainings and schedule next to Antonio Martínez Cascales, one of the best Spanish coaches with loads of distinctions from the Spanish Royal Federation, Proffesional Tennis Registration, etc.

In addition, Samuel uses to manage a lot of tournaments. For example, in April 2012 he is the director of the best ITF tournament in Spain which is played at Equelite -Grade 2- which is problably becoming Grade 1 for 2013. Also, the Spanish National Championship, the Equelite Tennis tour in the Valencia Open and Andalucía zone, etc.

Right now, he is part of the technical staff of the federation and one of the teachers in charge of the formation of new coaches.

Head coach of Equelite for the last 12 years and training with lots of professional players like JC Ferrero, Nico, David Ferrer, María Sharapova, Justin Henin, etc.

Almagro Retains Brasil Open 2012 Crown

World No. 11 Nicolas Almagro defeated Filippo Volandri 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in Sao Paulo Sunday to repeat as champion at the Brasil Open 2012. "This was not my best match here in Brazil, as I was tense and nervous," admitted Almagro. "But once again, I had control of my emotions, which is what I have always demanded, controlling the important moments. I think it's good to win a tournament and be able to think that I can still play a little better."

The top seed fired 18 aces, winning 88 per cent of his first serve points.  On his first match point, Almagro converted his fourth break of serve against the Italian to clinch the crown in two hours and two minutes. The Spaniard improved to a 7-3 record against Volandri, winning his fifth match in a row over the 30 year old. "I am happy. I am on a cloud, winning a tournament three times, and twice in a row," said Almagro. "It's hard. I got here and all I want is to continue working to keep improving in my career."

Almagro is the first wild card to win an ATP World Tour event since American Ryan Sweeting captured the US Men's Clay Court Championship trophy in Houston last year. All 11 of Almagro’s career titles have come on clay courts, and the victory marked his third triumph at the ATP World Tour 250 event, with successes in 2011 and 2008. When asked to select which one of the three stood out, Almagro said, "It is a hard question. I think all titles are equally important in your career. In 2008, it was an amazing tournament. I managed to beat Carlos Moya in a tough final. Then last year, it was the beginning of a run that I really could not have dreamed. I won in Brazil, I won Buenos Aires, and I was very close to winning Acapulco.
"It is always difficult to win two years in a row and this year was just as hard, because it was my third crown. Every title has a great place in my heart and is very difficult to choose one. I take all three and I hope that next year will be four."
Volandri was looking to end a title drought dating back to his win in Palmero six years ago. "I think I played another very good match today," said Volandri. "I tried my best and fought a lot. I think in the third set, I was playing better than him but he was serving unbelievable.
"This result is more than what I was expecting this week. It gives me a lot of confidence to keep on pushing through. If I am consistent, I can play with all the players, especially on clay."

Davis Cup 2012: Spain 5:0 Kazakhstan

OVIEDO, SPAIN: Spain confirmed its status as the leading nation in Davis Cup by BNP Paribas by completing a 5-0 whitewash of Kazakhstan on the final day of the first round tie between the two World Group nations.

The defending champions had sealed their place in April’s quarterfinals after impressive performances from Juan Carlos Ferrero and Nicolas Almagro in the singles on Friday, and Marc Lopez and Marcel Granollers in yesterday’s doubles, but returned to the Palacio del los Deportes de Oviedo determined to show that they have the depth needed to retain the Davis Cup in 2012.

Evgeny Korolev replaced the injured Mikhail Kukushkin for Kazakhstan for the first of the reverse dead singles rubbers, hoping for a better performance on the court that he’d mustered in yesterday’s doubles. But Almagro, the Spanish No. 1, although not at the level he showed against Andrey Golubev on Friday, was too consistent for the Kazakh No. 3, needing just a single break of serve in the fifth game to take the first set 6-3.

Korolev stayed with Almagro throughout the second set, until forced to serve to stay in the match at 4-5. Fashioning match point off a Korolev error, Almagro converted it to win his fifth Davis Cup singles rubber 63 64 and put Spain 4-0 ahead.

The fifth and final rubber played out between Golubev and Granollers, making his Davis Cup singles debut. The 25-year-old Barcelona native did not disappoint, breaking to lead 3-1 in the opening set, before serving it out 63 as Golubev tried and failed to find a way back in to the match.

 

“When you start, you always dream to win, and if it’s 5-0 it’s even better,” Corretja said. "The main thing for me was to win, but today it’s important, when you go on the court you need to try your best, so I’m pleased to see that we also won again…thanks to all the team."

“Since the first day, we practise very well, we prepared the tie very focused, never easy to play on clay again after such a long time since the last tournament,” said Ferrero, who celebrated his 32nd birthday today. “It’s always nice to win 5-0, we expect that, but always you have to show it on the court, so we’re very happy about it.”

Happy Birthday, Samuel!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SAMUEL!!!!

ALL OUR BEST TO YOU! We wish you to be strong and healthy, and all the rest you can make it! Love and be loved! No worries, be happy! Tennis with you!

Samuel Lopez is our Technical Director and friend. He helps us everytime with training. He believes in us. For him all players are very important. He thinks about all of us. We want to say thanks for his prof coaching. And we are so happy that u continue to work with us. And thanks for everything (that you created this academy with Toni). And we try our best, SAMUEL!