RAFAEL NADAL WINS OVER FELICIANO LOPEZ IN BARCELONA MAY 1, 08

May 2, 2008 Order of Play for Quarter Finals
Tommy Robredo versus David Ferrer not before 2:30 p.m. Barcelona Time
Rafael Nadal versus Juan Ignacio Chela (ARG) not before 4:45 p.m. Barcelona Time
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Rafa Nadal versus Feli Lopez in Barcelona, Spain May 1, 08
Nadal wins 6-4, 6-3
Great camera work and uploaded by gandaines of Spain

Nadal makes it 100 out 101

Source: Eurosport - Thu, 01 May 18:59:00 2008

Rafael Nadal took his remarkable record to 100 wins in his last 101 matches on clay by beating fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez 6-4 6-3 to reach the Barcelona Open quarter-finals.

The top seed, chasing his fourth consecutive title here, appeared unaffected by strapping on his left shoulder as he eased through.

Nadal's run of victories on clay dates back to his first Monte Carlo title in 2005, with his only defeat on the surface in that time coming against world number one Roger Federer in the final of the Hamburg Masters last May.

"It's nice but I am more happy to be in the Barcelona quarter-finals," said Nadal. "It's one of my favourite tournaments.

"It was a difficult match with lots of long service games so I am happy to get through."

After missing three break-point chances at 1-1, Nadal broke serve in the fifth game.

The world number two then broke twice more in the second set to line up a meeting with Argentine Juan Ignacio Chela, who beat Latvian Ernests Gulbis 2-6 6-4 6-3.

Second seed David Ferrer of Spain came through a gruelling 4-6 6-4 6-3 struggle with Nicolas Lapentti while Argentine third seed David Nalbandian was destroyed 6-3 6-1 by Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka.

Nalbandian led 3-1 before Wawrinka came roaring back to record his fifth successive win over the Argentine.

"He started very well but I always try to get as many balls back as possible to keep the pressure on him," said Wawrinka, who next plays Spaniard Albert Montanes.

Ferrer looked on course for a straightforward win over Lapentti when he went 3-0 up in the first set.

In the end, though, it took him two hours 31 minutes to wear down the Ecuadorian.

Ferrer now meets Spanish sixth seed Tommy Robredo, who defied a second-set fightback by last year's runner-up Guillermo Canas of Argentina to win 6-1 7-5.

German Denis Gremelmayr came from 3-0 down to oust Russian Dmitry Tursunov 6-4 6-0, setting up a match with Spaniard Nicolas Almagro or Croatian Mario Ancic.

Fifth seeds Jeff Coetzee and Kevin Ullyett of South Africa defeated Andy Murray and fellow Brit Ross Hutchins 6-3 7-6 in the last 16 of the doubles.
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Pictures from ESPN, El Pais, AFP Getty Images, Daylife, Elmundo, Yahoo.
Rafa Nadal v Feliciano Lopez in Barcelona, Spain May 1, 2008
Rafa won 6-4, 6-3
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Rafa is interviewed after the match May 1, 2008
Thanks to Ines from Sevilla, Spain ~ You are the Best
Ines has translated for the Spanish-challenged:

First, they remind him that this is the one hundred victory of his last 101 matches, he was very happy for that (look his big smile) and because it was in Barcelona, one of his favorite tournaments and also he belongs to this club. Later they were talking about what hard is to play against Feli, another lefty, Rafa said that play against Feli is always complicated because he has a very good serve and although you have break point you depend on his service and that always he has to be very focussed for not to give chances with your services. And Rafa was asked about his feeling in the tournament, he said that he feels better today than yesterday, because always the first day after another tourney (Monte-Carlo, France where in won the Final against Roger Federer) is complicated and he said thanks to all the people that supports him, because with this kind of support is difficult to play bad.

For the best photos, articles shared and videos go to the Forum at
www.rafaelnadal.com

For some highlight videos of May 1, 2008 in Barcelona and a brief English interview with Rafa after his win

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Rafael Nadal in News from Thursday, May 1, 2008
From: gandaines

Rafa Nadal in News from Thursday