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A new Rome champion will be crowned Sunday at the Foro Italico since it’s the first time in four years no former tournament winner is remaining in the quarterfinals. World No. 1 Roger Federer is the lone former Rome finalist (2003, ’06) leading the way along with No. 3 Novak Djokovic, No. 6 Andy Roddick (pictured) and No. 8 James Blake. In fact, Roddick is the only other player left to reach the semifinals in Rome (in his 2002 debut). Three of the quarterfinalists -- unseeded Nicolas Almagro, Djokovic and Roddick -- are two-time ATP winners this year. Federer won his 54th career title in Estoril last month while the four remaining players – Blake, No. 14 seed Tommy Robredo, unseeded Radek Stepanek and Stanislas Wawrinka – are looking for their first ATP title of the season. Here is Friday’s quarterfinals match-ups:

No. 1 Roger Federer vs. Radek Stepanek................Federer leads 4-1
No. 3 Novak Djokovic vs. Nicolas Almagro...............First ATP Meeting
No. 6 Andy Roddick vs. No. 14 Tommy Robredo.......Roddick leads 7-0
No. 8 James Blake vs. Stanislas Wawrinka..............Wawrinka leads 1-0

· Spanish Quarterfinals Streak – For the 12th straight year in Rome at least two Spaniards (Nicolas Almagro, Tommy Robredo) have advanced to the quarterfinals. A Spaniard has won the title the last five years and six of the last seven (except 2002).

· Americans in Quarterfinals – This is the first time at least two Americans have reached the quarterfinals in Rome since 2002 when Andre Agassi won the title, Roddick reached the semifinals and Blake advanced to the quarterfinals. Prior to '02, the last time two Americans reached the quarters in Rome was in 1995 (Michael Chang, Jeff Tarango).

· Unseeded Quarterfinalists – There are three unseeded players in the quarterfinals – Nicolas Almagro, Radek Stepanek and Stanislas Wawrinka. The only unseeded Rome champion in the Open Era was Felix Mantilla in 2003.

· Top 20 on the Line – Almagro and Wawrinka are not only attempting to reach their first career ATP Masters Series semifinal, but both 22-year-olds are trying to break into the Top 20 South African Airways ATP Rankings for the first time. If either player (or both) advance to the semifinals, they will rank in the Top 20 next week. Almagro came into Rome a career-high No. 21 and Wawrinka a personal-best No. 24.

Watch Live Matches, Highlights and Interviews on AMS TV

· Swiss Pair in Top 20 – The last time two Swiss players ranked in the Top 20 was March 4, 1991 with No. 18 Jakob Hlasek and No. 20 Marc Rosset.

· Czech in the Quarters – With Radek Stepanek in the quarterfinals, a player from the Czech Republic has reached the quarters (or better) in Rome in four of the last five years (except '06). Jiri Novak was the last semifinalist in 2002.

· 2008 Clay W-L Leaders – Almagro leads the ATP circuit with a 25-4 match record on clay this year. Here are the Top 5 clay court match wins leaders:
W-L
1) Nicolas Almagro 25-4
2) David Nalbandian 15-4
3) Fernando Gonzalez 12-0
Tommy Robredo 12-3
5) Roger Federer 11-1
David Ferrer 11-3
Jose Acasuso 11-8

FRIDAY HEAD-TO-HEADS – In Order of Play

Stadio Pietrangeli

(8) James Blake (USA) vs Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) Wawrinka Leads 1-0
05 Roland Garros (France) Clay R64 Stanislas Wawrinka 6-7(9) 5-7 6-1 6-3 6-4

BLAKE FASTFACTS

Tournament Highlights:
· The 28-year-old American is making his second quarterfinal appearance in Rome (2002) and comes in with a 6-5 career record (third straight year ranked in the Top 10)
· Made his debut in 2002 and won three consecutive three-set matches (after losing the first set) over Younes El Aynaoui, Andrea Gaudenzi and Fernando Gonzalez before losing to Jiri Novak in the quarterfinals
· Since then, has a 3-4 record, defeating Gael Monfils and losing to Nicolas Massu in the second round last year
· In his first two matches this week, defeated Italian Andreas Seppi 76(5) 36 61 in his opening round match and Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 57 75 62 in the third round

2008 Highlights: F: Delray Beach (l Nishikori); Houston (l Granollers); QF: Australian Open (l Federer); San Jose (l Ginepri); ATP Masters Series Indian Wells (l Nadal); ATP Masters Series Miami (l Nadal);

2008 in Review:
· The No. 2 American (behind No. 6 Roddick) enters his third ATP Masters Series quarterfinal of the year with a 25-8 match record (7-2 on clay)
· Has advanced to the quarterfinals or better in seven of nine tournaments, including back-to-back ATP Masters Series Indian Wells and Miami (l. to Nadal both times)…Did not play Monte Carlo
· Last month, helped the U.S. reach the Davis Cup semifinals (vs. Spain) by posting a five-sets win over France’s Paul-Henri Mathieu and Richard Gasquet in a dead rubber in 4-1 victory
· Then advanced to his first career ATP clay court final in Houston (l. to Granollers)…Last week took a wild card into Barcelona and lost to German Denis Gremelmayr in his opening round match (bye)
· Began the season with an opening round loss to Santoro in Sydney but rebounded back with first quarterfinal at Australian Open…Rallied from two-sets deficit in third round vs. Grosjean to win in five before losing to Federer
· Then helped U.S. to 4-1 Davis Cup victory over Austria on clay in Vienna by defeating Stefan Koubek in four sets
· Following week, reached final in Delray Beach (l. to Nishikori) and continued with quarterfinal in San Jose (l. to Ginepri)…Withdrew from Memphis due to a right knee injury

ATP Masters Series History:
· Has a 59-44 career record in ATP Masters Series tournaments since making his debut in Indian Wells as a wild card eight years ago (l. to Rusedski in 1st Rd.)
· This year for the second time in his career he’s advanced to the quarterfinals or better in consecutive AMS tournaments…In 2006, reached the final in Indian Wells and quarterfinals in Miami
· Has reached the quarterfinals or better in nine career AMS tournaments (2-6 in QF matches)
· Compiled a 28-27 mark between 2000-05 before improving to 31-17 from 2006-08 – reached final in I.W. in ’06 and Cincinnati last year (l. to Federer both times)
· His 18 match wins in Indian Wells is a personal-best in AMS play followed by Cincinnati (11) and Miami (11)

Miscellaneous:
· In 2007, the Tampa resident compiled another consistent season with two ATP titles in five finals, winning in Sydney (d. Moya) and New Haven (d. Fish) while finishing No. 13 with a 54-24 match record
· Compiled a 43-14 mark on hard courts (second-most wins along with Djokovic behind Federer’s 44)
· Also helped U.S. to its first Davis Cup title (d. Russia 4-1) in 12 years by posting a 5-2 singles mark during year (d. Youzhny, Tursunov in F)
· Reached finals in Delray Beach (l. to Malisse in three rain-delayed sets), Los Angeles (l. to Stepanek) and ATP Masters Series Cincinnati (l. to Federer)
· In 2006, finished a year-end best No. 4 with five ATP titles in eight finals and reached final at season-ending Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai (l. to Federer)
· On May 6, 2004 in Rome, slipped during practice session against Robby Ginepri and hit net post, suffering fractured vertebrae in his neck that kept him sidelined until July

WAWRINKA FASTFACTS

Tournament Highlights:
· The 22-year-old Swiss native is appearing in the quarterfinals for the first time with a 4-3 career record
· Made his debut three years ago and defeated Tomas Berdych in the first round and lost in the 2nd Rd. (l. to Verdasco)
· The last two years, lost in the first round to Fernando Gonzalez and Albert Montanes
· This week, defeated wild card Marat Safin 67(5) 62 61 in the first round, No. 16 seed Andy Murray 62 76(5) in the second round and 2001 champion Juan Carlos Ferrero 64 63 in the third round
· One of three unseeded players left in the quarterfinals – Nicolas Almagro, Radek Stepanek
· He is the third different Swiss player to reach the quarterfinals – Heinz Gunthart (SF in 1983) and Federer (runner-up in 2003 and ’06)

2008 Highlights: F: Doha (l Murray); SF: Barcelona (l Ferrer); QF: ATP Masters Series Indian Wells (l Djokovic)

2008 in Review:
· The Swiss No. 2 comes into his fourth ATP quarterfinal (or better) with a 20-9 match record on the season (7-2 on clay)…He reached the semifinals in Barcelona last Saturday (d. No. 7 Nalbandian in 3rd Rd., l. to Ferrer)…Ranks a career-high No. 24 this week and will move into the Top 20 if he reaches the semifinals
· In March, he reached his first ATP Masters Series quarterfinal in Indian Wells (d. No. 10 Berdych, No. 18 Baghdatis, l. to eventual champ Djokovic)
· Last month, won both of his singles matches in Davis Cup tie vs. Belarus and Switzerland will play Belgium in September in a World Group playoff tie
· He opened the year by reaching his fifth career ATP final (1-4) in Doha (d. Ljubicic in SF, l. to Murray in three sets)
· Then struggled with a 3-4 mark, failing to win back-to-back matches in his next four tournaments
· He retired in 2nd Rd. of Australian Open (vs. Gicquel) with a stomach muscle strain
· Returned in time for a 1st Rd. Davis Cup tie vs. Poland and won his match in straight sets and followed with a 2nd Rd. showing in Marseille (d. Grosjean, l. to eventual champion Murray in three sets)

ATP Masters Series History:
· Has a 17-19 career record in ATP Masters Series play and appearing in his second career AMS quarterfinal (’08 Indian Wells, l. to Djokovic)
· His previous best finish was the 3rd Rd. in Cincinnati in 2006 (d. No. 20 Acasuso, No. 4 Nalbandian, l. to No. 13 Gonzalez) and Paris last year (d. Kiefer, No. 17 Chela, l. to Nadal)
· Eleven of his losses have come to No. 20 opponents (4-11 mark)

Miscellaneous:
· In 2007, finished in the Top 50 for the second straight year at No. 36 despite being sidelined for three months with a right knee injury
· Advanced to two ATP finals (Stuttgart, Vienna) and a Grand Slam-best 4th Rd. at US Open (l. to Chela in five sets)
· Suffered a right knee injury on Feb. 8 in practice for 1st RD Davis Cup tie and underwent surgery following day...Returned in May...Posted a 3-11 record through mid-July but turned things around with his runner-up effort in Stuttgart (l. to Nadal)
· Went on to finish with an 18-13 mark...In August, advanced to quarterfinals in New Haven (d. No. 8 Robredo, l. to Fish) and followed with 4th Rd at US Open (d. Korolev, Safin, Ginepri, l. to Chela in five sets)...In October, reached final in Vienna (l. to Djokovic) and closed with 3rd Rd. at AMS Paris (d. Chela, l. to Nadal)
· Has an 1-4 career record in ATP finals with his lone title coming in Umag in July 2006 (d. Djokovic who retired)
· Has a 7-17 career record against Top 10 opponents (1-5 on clay) and 2-2 this year

(1) Roger Federer (SUI) vs Radek Stepanek (CZE) Federer Leads 4-1
02 Gstaad (Switzerland) Clay R16 Radek Stepanek 3-6 6-3 6-2
04 Gstaad (Switzerland) Clay QF Roger Federer 6-1 5-7 6-4
06 ATP Masters Series Rome (Italy) Clay R16 Roger Federer 6-1 6-4
07 ATP Masters Series Montreal (Canada)Hard SF Roger Federer 7-6(6) 6-2
07 CZE v. SUI WG PO (Czech Republic) Carpet RR Roger Federer 6-3 6-2 6-7(4) 7-6(5)

FEDERER FASTFACTS

Tournament Highlights:
· The Swiss No. 1 is making his third quarterfinal appearance (16-7 record) in eight showings…He reached the final in 2003 (l. to Mantilla) and 2006 (l. to Nadal), the only previous times he reached the quarterfinals (or better)
· Opened the tournament on Tuesday with a 63 63 win over Argentine Guillermo Canas and followed with a 76(4) 63 victory over Ivo Karlovic on Thursday…Has yet to lose serve in first two rounds (saving three break points)
· Last year he lost in the third round to Italian Filippo Volandri 62 64
· Made his debut in 2000 and lost to Andrei Medvedev in the first round…Also lost in the first round two years later to Italian Andrea Gaudenzi
2008 Highlights: W: Estoril (d Davydenko); F: ATP Masters Series Monte Carlo (l Nadal); SF: Australian Open (l Djokovic); ATP Masters Series Indian Wells (l Fish); QF: ATP Masters Series Miami (l Roddick);

2008 in Review:
· The World No. 1 comes into his sixth quarterfinal (or better) with a 22-5 match record (11-1 on clay) on the season and he is coming off his third straight runner-up showing at ATP Masters Series Monte Carlo (l. to Nadal 75 75) two weeks ago
· Prior to that, captured his seventh career ATP clay court title in Estoril on Apr. 20 (d. Davydenko, who retired in 2nd set at 7-6, 1-2 with a leg injury)
· It was the first time since 2000 he went the first three and a-half months without winning an ATP title
· Has advanced to the quarterfinals (or better) in five of six tournaments this season
· In March, reached the semifinals at the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells (l. to Fish) and last month the quarterfinals at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami (l. to Roddick)
· Began the season by reaching a record 15th consecutive Grand Slam semifinal at the Australian Open (l. to Djokovic)...In 3rd Rd., defeated Janko Tipsarevic 10-8 in fifth set in longest final set of his career and tied for longest match in games (63) in his career...Fired a career-high 39 aces in that match before his streak of 10 consecutive
Grand Slam finals came to an end against Djokovic
· In his second ATP tournament in Dubai, lost in three sets to Andy Murray in opening round on Mar. 3 and didn’t have a break point on Murray’s serve (only 11th time in his career in nearly 700 matches)
· Has been No. 1 a record 223 consecutive weeks (as of May 5) in the South African Airways ATP Rankings

ATP Masters Series History:
· The Swiss superstar has played in 22 career ATP Masters Series finals (14-8), nine coming on clay (4-5)
· Has a career record of 168-50 since playing his first AMS tournament in Miami (falling first round to Carlsen) in 1999; with five losses on clay (four to Nadal)…Began AMS play in 1999-2000 with a 2-10 mark
· Has won 14 career ATP Masters Series shields, including 10 since ‘05, second all-time (since ‘90) behind Agassi (17)
· Has won six different AMS tournaments - Cincinnati, Hamburg, Indian Wells, Madrid, Miami and Canada (Toronto) - and also a finalist in Monte-Carlo (three times) and Rome (twice)…He and Nadal are the only players to reach finals in eight different AMS tournaments (except Paris)…Nadal (except Cincinnati)

Miscellaneous:
· In 2007, the Swiss native finished No. 1 and captured an ATP-best eight titles (in 12 finals) for fourth consecutive season, including three Grand Slam crowns for third time in four years and at least two ATP Masters Series shields
· Became only fourth player since 1973 to end year at No. 1 at least four consecutive years, joining Pete Sampras (6), Jimmy Connors (5) and John McEnroe (4)
· Also first player in history to reach all four Grand Slam finals in back-to-back years and has advanced to an all-time record 10 consecutive Slam finals (8-2 during streak)…Has a 12-2 career mark in Grand Slam finals
· Since beginning of 2004, has compiled a match record of 336-29 (.922) with Canas, Djokovic, Murray, Nadal, and Nalbandian only players to beat him more than once during that stretch
· Has a 54-18 career record in finals (7-8 on clay, six losses to Nadal) and No. 9 on Open Era titles list
· Posted his 100th career victory against a Top 10 opponent (100-41) with semifinal victory over No. 3 Djokovic in Monte Carlo and has a 16-11 mark on clay (1-7 vs Nadal)

STEPANEK FASTFACTS

Tournament Highlights:
· The 29-year-old Czech is making sixth straight appearance in Rome and enters his second quarterfinal (2005) with a 12-5 career record...Has never lost in the first round
· This week has posted three straight three-set wins over Jarkko Nieminen (63 36 63), No. 5 David Ferrer (46 62 61) and qualifier Luis Horna (64 16 63)
· A Czech Republic player has reached the quarterfinals in four of the last five years (except '06)...Jiri Novak is the last Czech to advance to the semifinals in 2002
· Three of his last four losses in Rome have come to Top 10 opponents -- No. 7 Henman (2nd Rd.) in '04, No. 7 Nadal (QF) in '05 and No. 1 Federer (3rd Rd.) in '06

2008 Highlights: F: San Jose (l Roddick); SF: Sydney (l Guccione); Memphis (l Soderling);

2008 in Review:
· The No. 2 Czech (behind No. 10 Berdych) enters his fourth ATP quarterfinal (or better) on the season with an 18-8 match record (4-1 on clay)
· His best result came in February in San Jose where he reached his eighth career ATP final (l. to Roddick)… Also reached semifinals at Sydney (l. to Guccione) in January and Memphis (l. to Soderling) in February
· In March in Indian Wells, lost to No. 7 David Nalbandian in a third set tie-break in the 3rd Rd. and followed with a 4th Rd. showing in Miami (l. to No. 9 Blake)
· Last month, played in Davis Cup quarterfinal tie vs. Russia and defeated Igor Andreev in the second rubber although his country lost the tie
· Two weeks ago, made his season clay court debut in Monte Carlo and lost in the first round to Robin Soderling in three sets

ATP Masters Series History:
· Has a 53-40 lifetime record in ATP Masters Series tournaments with his best results runner-up finishes at 2004 Paris (l. to Safin) and 2006 Hamburg (l. to Robredo)
· Reached the semifinals last year in Montreal (d. No. 6 Gonzalez, No. 12 Haas, No. 5 Davydenko; l. to No. 1 Federer) and at 2005 Paris (l. to eventual champion Berdych)…Also a three-time quarterfinalist, in 2005 at Rome and Madrid (l. to eventual champion Nadal both times) and this week in Rome

Miscellaneous:
· In 2007, finished in Top 50 for fifth straight year (at No. 30)…After a 10-14 start through Wimbledon, went 17-8 highlighted by Los Angeles title and semifinals at Gstaad as a qualifier and AMS Montreal…At US Open, lost a five-sets, 4:41 marathon to eventual finalist Novak Djokovic in second round
· Has a 2-5 career record in ATP finals, winning his last ATP title in July 2007 by defeating No. 9 James Blake in the final...Won first career ATP title in his 97th ATP level tournament at 2006 Rotterdam (d. Djokovic, No. 6 Davdyenko, C. Rochus)…Reached first career ATP final in 2002 at AMS Paris (l. to Safin)
· Broke into the Top 10 in July 2006 after achieving a Grand Slam-best quarterfinal finish at Wimbledon (l. to Bjorkman)
· The former World No. 8 has a 14-29 record (4-7 on clay) against Top 10 opponents, including a 4-8 mark last year…Has lost his last six going back to the 2007 AMS Montreal semifinals against Federer

(6) Andy Roddick (USA) vs (14) Tommy Robredo (ESP) Roddick Leads 7-0 (18-0 in sets)
01 US Open (U.S.A.) Hard R16 Andy Roddick 6-2 6-2 6-4
02 USA v ESP WG QF (Texas) Grass RR Andy Roddick 6-3 7-5 7-6(7)
02 ATP Masters Series Rome (Italy) Clay QF Andy Roddick 6-4 7-6(2)
03 Sydney (Australia) Hard R32 Andy Roddick 6-2 6-2
03 Wimbledon (England) Grass R32 Andy Roddick 7-6(5)6-4 6-4
03 ATP Masters Series Paris (France) Carpet R16 Andy Roddick 6-3 6-4
04 US Open (U.S.A.) Hard R16 Andy Roddick 6-3 6-2 6-4

RODDICK FASTFACTS

Tournament Highlights:
· The top American is making his third quarterfinal showing in seven tournament appearances (13-6 record), having reached the semifinals in his debut in 2002 (l. to Haas) and the quarterfinals two years ago (l. to Monfils)
· On Tuesday, defeated boyhood friend Mardy Fish 61 64 in his opening round match and followed with a 76(5) 63 win over Italian Simone Bolelli
· Has only lost once in the opening round in Rome, four years ago to Guillermo Canas
· Last year, lost in the third round to Juan Ignacio Chela

2008 Highlights: W: San Jose (d Stepanek); Dubai (d Lopez); SF: ATP Masters Series Miami (l Davydenko); QF: Memphis (l Soderling);

2008 in Review:
· The 25-year-old Austin, Texas resident enters his fifth ATP quarterfinal (or better) with a 23-4 match record (3-0 on clay), winning ATP titles in San Jose (d. Stepanek) on Feb. 24 and in Dubai on Mar. 8 (d. Lopez)…He defeated No. 2 Nadal and No. 3 Djokovic in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively, before beating Spaniard Feliciano Lopez in a three-sets final…It was the first time in his career he defeated two of the Top 3 players in the same tournament (held serve all 55 games) en route to his 25th career title
· Has captured at least one ATP title for eight consecutive years
· This is his first tournament since reaching the semifinals at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami last month (d. Federer in QF, l. to Davydenko)…He then led the U.S. to a 4-1 Davis Cup quarterfinal victory over France by defeating Michael Llodra in the opening rubber and Paul-Henri Mathieu in the fourth rubber to clinch the tie (US will play Spain in SF)
· He leads the RICOH ATP MatchFacts this season in aces (320), service games won (93%), break points saved (75%) and first serve points won (80%)
· Began the season with a 3rd Rd. showing at the Australian Open (l. to Kohlschreiber), hitting a career-high 42 aces in the five-sets loss to the German
· Then helped U.S. to Davis Cup quarterfinals with a four-sets win over Jurgen Melzer in 1st Rd. Davis Cup tie in Vienna on clay
· Returned to ATP circuit in San Jose with his third career title in the Bay Area and followed with quarterfinal in Memphis (l. to Soderling)
· Split with coach Jimmy Connors in February after working together since July 2006

ATP Masters Series History:
· Has an 114-46 career record in ATP Masters Series tournaments with four titles (’03 Montreal, ’03 Cincinnati, ’04 Miami and ’06 Cincinnati) and three runner-up showings (’02 & ’04 Toronto, ’05 Cincinnati)
· Also a semifinalist in seven other AMS tournaments
· His opening round loss to Tommy Haas in Indian Wells in March was his earliest exit in an AMS tournament since ’05 Madrid when he fell to Ivo Karlovic in the same round

Miscellaneous:
· In 2007, the top American finished in the Top 10 for the sixth straight season, won an ATP title for seventh consecutive year and led U.S. to its first Davis Cup title (d. Russia 4-1) since 1995...Went 6-0 in Cup play
· Became first American to go undefeated and lead his country to Cup title since Pete Sampras (6-0) in '95
· In June, captured crown on grass at Queen’s in London (d. Mahut, saved one match point) for fourth time in five years and followed by reaching quarterfinals at Wimbledon (l. to Gasquet in five sets)
· Compiled a 15-4 record during summer hard court circuit with SF in Indianapolis (l. to Dancevic), title in Washington (d. Isner), quarters at AMS Montreal (l. to Djokovic) and at US Open (l. to Federer
· Led ATP circuit with personal-best 35-12 record in tie-breaks, including an Open Era record 18 straight won from February (Memphis) through early July (Wimbledon) when Gasquet won both tie-breaks in quarterfinals
· Has a 25-13 career record in finals (5-2 on clay) and tied for third-most among active players – Federer (54), Hewitt (26) and Nadal (25)
· Has a 66-31 career record on clay and 287-83 on hard courts
· In Miami, publically announced his engagement to 20-year-old Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Brooklyn Decker after proposing to her in March (no wedding date has been set)

ROBREDO FASTFACTS

Tournament Highlights:
· The 26-year-old Spaniard is appearing in the quarterfinals for the third time (2002, ‘07) and owns an 11-6 career record…This week has defeated Juan Ignacio Chela 64 61 in the first round, Nicolas Mahut 75 76(5) in the second round and No. 4 Nikolay Davydenko 46 62 76(4) in the quarterfinals (saving one match point at 5-6 with ace)…One of two Spaniards (Almagro) remaining in the quarterfinals
· Made his debut six years ago and reached the quarterfinals (l. to Roddick)
· Last year came in ranked No. 7 and lost to No. 4 Davydenko in the quarterfinals

2008 Highlights: SF: Valencia (l Ferrer); QF: Barcelona (l Ferrer);

2008 in Review:
· The No. 3 Spaniard (behind No. 2 Nadal, No. 5 Ferrer) is making his third ATP quarterfinal (or better) appearance this season after advancing to the semifinals in Valencia three weeks ago and quarterfinals in Barcelona last week (l. to countryman Ferrer both times)
· His three-sets victory over No. 4 Davydenko on Thursday broke a nine-match losing streak against Top 10 opponents since his last win coming over No. 8 James Blake in a round robin match at the ’06 Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai
· Struggled in the first three months of the year with a 4-6 match record but has turned things around with a 10-3 mark in his last four tournaments, including Rome…Along with strong results in his home country, advanced to the third round at ATP Masters Series Monte Carlo (l. to Nalbandian)…His last three losses have come to Top 10 opponents
· Began the season by losing in the first round in Doha and Sydney before reaching the second round at the Australian Open (d. Zverev in five sets, l. to Fish)
· In February, followed with two match wins in first round Davis Cup tie in Peru
· In March, reached the third round at ATP Masters Series Indian Wells (l. to Ljubicic) and lost in the second round (bye) in Miami (l. to Sela)

ATP Masters Series History:
· Has a career record of 79-56 and appearing in his 13th career ATP Masters Series quarterfinal (or better)…Has a 5-7 mark in AMS quarterfinal matches
· Last year, his best results were the quarters in Miami (l. to Canas), Rome (l. to Davydenko) and Paris (l. to Baghdatis)
· In 2006, captured his first Masters Series title in Hamburg (d. Stepanek) and advanced to the semifinals in Cincinnati (l. to Ferrero) and Paris (l. to Davydenko)

Miscellaneous:
· Last year finished in the Top 10 for the second straight year at No. 10 with two ATP titles (Bastad, Metz – first on hard) while reaching finals in Auckland (l. to Ferrer) and Beijing (l. to Gonzalez)
· In 2006, compiled his best season on the ATP circuit, winning two clay titles (Hamburg, Bastad) while reaching the final in Barcelona…Finished No. 7 in the ATP Rankings with a 49-29 record
· Ranked in the Top 10 every week since May 22, 2006 when he went from 12 to No. 7 after winning in Hamburg (reached a career-high No. 5 on Aug. 28, ’06) to Sept. 9, 2007 when he slipped to No. 11
· Has a career record of 14-50 (1-3 this year) against Top 10 opponents and 6-6 in ATP finals (5-4 on clay)
· Coached by countryman and former ATP pro Jose Clavet

(3) Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs Nicolas Almagro (ESP) First ATP Meeting
Other Meetings:
04 Manerbio Challenger (Italy) Clay QF Nicolas Almagro 6-4 6-2

DJOKOVIC FASTFACTS

Tournament Highlights:
· The 20-year-old Serb is making his second straight quarterfinal appearance (4-1 mark)…Last year posted wins over Robin Soderling and Marcos Baghdatis before losing to eventual champion Nadal 62 63
· Opened the tournament on Wednesday with a 64 60 victory over top Belgian Steve Darcis and followed with a 63 36 63 win over Igor Andreev on Thursday

2008 Highlights: W: Australian Open (d Tsonga); ATP Masters Series Indian Wells (d Fish); SF: Dubai (l Roddick); ATP Masters Series Monte Carlo (l Federer);

2008 in Review:
· The young Serb comes into his fifth quarterfinal (or better) in seven tournaments with a 22-5 record on the season (5-1 on clay) and 4-0 in quarterfinal matches in ’08
· Two weeks ago, reached the semifinals at ATP Masters Series Monte Carlo (d. Ljubicic, Murray, Querrey, ret. vs. Federer)
· In March at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami, came in as defending champion and lost to South African qualifier Kevin Anderson in three sets in the opening round (bye) on Mar. 28
· Prior to that, he was coming off his second title of the year in Indian Wells (d. Fish) on Mar. 23
· He captured his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, defeating No. 5 David Ferrer in the quarterfinals, No. 1 Roger Federer in the semifinals and unseeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in a four-sets final...Dropped only one set in seven matches and became first player to win a Grand Slam crown other than Federer (8 titles) and Nadal (3) since '05 Australian Open when Marat Safin won the title
· Then played in 1st Rd. Davis Cup tie in Russia and led No. 4 Davydenko two sets to one but retired due to illness
· Returned to ATP circuit in Marseille and lost in 2nd Rd. to Frenchman Gilles Simon in three sets…Three weeks later,
advanced to the semifinals in Dubai, losing 76 63 to eventual champion Andy Roddick

ATP Masters Series History:
· Captured his third career AMS title in Indian Wells in March (d. Fish)
· Has a 42-18 career mark in ATP Masters Series tournaments, including 24-7 last year, winning titles in Miami (d. Canas) and Montreal (d. No. 3 Roddick, No. 2 Nadal, No. 1 Federer)
· Also a finalist in Indian Wells (l. to Nadal), semifinalist in Madrid (l. to Nalbandian) and quarterfinalist in Rome (l. to Nadal) and Hamburg (l. to Moya)
· In his short career has advanced to the quarterfinals (or better) in seven of the nine AMS tournaments (except Cincinnati and Paris)

Miscellaneous:
· In 2007, the entertaining Serb finished as the youngest player (20) in year-end Top 10 (at No. 3) and he compiled his best season by capturing a personal-high five ATP titles while reaching his first Grand Slam final at US Open
· Also led his country into 2008 Davis Cup World Group by defeating Australia in a playoff tieCompiled a 19-4 record in Grand Slam play (losing to Federer and Nadal twice each) and 24-7 mark in ATP Masters Series tournaments
· Compiled a 19-4 record in Grand Slam play (losing to Federer and Nadal twice each) and 24-7 mark in ATP Masters Series tournaments
· Began the season by earning his first title Down Under in Adelaide (d. Guccione) and followed with 4th RD at Australian Open (l. to Federer) In August, collected his second ATP Masters Series shield in Montreal where he posted wins over No. 3 Roddick (QF), No. 2 Nadal (SF) and No. 1 Federer (F) to become first player to defeat World’s Top 3 since Boris Becker in October 1994 in Stockholm...He also became first player to beat Federer and Nadal in same tournament while they were ranked No. 1 and 2

ALMAGRO FASTFACTS

Tournament Highlights:
· The 22-year-old Spaniard is appearing in the quarterfinals for the second time in three years…In 2006, qualified and reached the quarters, losing to No. 1 Roger Federer 7-5 in the third set
· Last year lost to Federer 63 64 in the second round
· Made his debut in 2005 and defeated No. 4 Marat Safin in the second round (l. to Stepanek in three sets in the third round)
· This week has defeated Italian wild card Flavio Cipolla 61 63 in the first round and No. 7 David Nalbandian 64 75 in the second round…Received a walk over Thursday against No. 12 Fernando Gonzalez (due to a right leg injury)

2008 Highlights: W: Costa do Sauipe (d Moya); Acapulco (d Nalbandian); F: Valencia (l Ferrer); QF: Buenos Aires (l Chela); Barcelona (l Gremelmayr);

2008 in Review:
· The native of Murcia, Spain is making his sixth ATP quarterfinal (or better) showing of the season and comes in with a 27-8 match record, including an ATP-best 25-4 on clay…Has already equaled his clay wins total from last year (25-13)
· He enters his fourth career ATP Masters Series quarterfinal (first this year) and trying to reach his first AMS semifinal
· Ranks a career-high No. 21 this week and if he reaches the semifinals he will break into the Top 20 for the first time
· Began the first two months by winning titles in Costa do Sauipe (d. Moya) and Acapulco (d. No. 8 Nalbandian) along with the quarterfinals in Buenos Aires (ret. vs. Chela)
· Playing for the fourth consecutive week (11-3 mark) and has reached the final in Valencia (l. to Ferrer), third round at AMS Monte Carlo (l. to Andreev) and quarterfinals in Barcelona (l. to Gremelmayr)
· before returning to hard courts in March in Dubai where he defeated No. 8 Gasquet in the 2nd Rd. before falling to No. 3 Djokovic

ATP Masters Series History:
· Has a 21-20 career record in ATP Masters Series tournaments with his best results the quarterfinals in 2006 & ’08 Rome and last year in Hamburg (l. to Hewitt) and Cincinnati (l. to Federer)

Miscellaneous:
· In 2007, the Spaniard compiled his best season by winning a career-high 34 matches and finishing in the Top 30 for first time at No. 28
· Repeated his ATP title effort in Valencia and advanced to the quarterfinals or better in seven tournaments...Also reached 3rd Rd. in a Grand Slam for first time in his career at the US Open (l. to Davydenko)
· Has a 6-13 career record against Top 10 opponents (6-7 on clay) and 2-1 this year with both wins over Nalbandian
· Has an 88-52 career mark on clay and all six ATP finals (4-2) have come on his favorite surface (13-26 on hard)

Internazionali BNL d'Italia Tournament Profile