 | Born: 20/09/81 Nationality: Spanish Seeded: 29 World ranking: 29 US Open best:
2nd round (2002) Recent record:
2002: 2nd round
2001: N/A
2000: N/A |
Lopez has truly established himself among the world's leading players this year, and especially over the last two months. The Spaniard broke into the top 100 only last year and has built impressively on a finish of 62 in the world rankings in December.
He upset Marat Safin en route to the last eight in Hong Kong at the end of last season and has already beaten Alex Corretja, Younes El Aynaoui and Paradorn Srichaphan this year.
Lopez also saw off Guillermo Coria in the first round of the Montreal Masters earlier this month, although the Argentine had to retire.
His most significant results have come, unusually for a Spaniard, at Wimbledon, proving he has an all-court game.
It was a surprise when Lopez made the fourth round last year, and more so when he repeated the feat two months ago.
The 22-year-old admits that he is happiest on hard courts and quarter-final showings in Montreal and Dubai suggest he could be a threat.
MMIX
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