2003 IN REVIEW

The Argentine finished in Top 100 in ATP Champions Race for fourth consecutive season but won fewest matches (15) on circuit since 1997…Advanced to QFs at two stops during season and reached 3rd RD in lone TMS appearance of year in Miami…Made strong start to season, qualifying into Sydney and reaching QF with wins over Federer and Davydenko before losing to Ferreira…After 1st RD loss to Ferrero at Australian Open, did not win consecutive matches again until arriving in Miami…Defeated Ancic and Robredo before losing to Schalken in 3rd RD…Advanced to 2nd RDs at clay court stops in Casablanca, Barcelona and Valencia (d. Safin, l. to Sargsian) before returning to Challenger circuit and reaching QF in Prague…At Roland Garros, defeated countryman Calleri in 1st RD before losing to N. Lapentti…In sixth consecutive Wimbledon appearance, led Mutis by two sets in 1st RD before losing in five…Played three European clay court tournaments before US Open, where he retired in 1st RD against Kiefer with left ankle injury during second set…Returned to action in September at Bucharest and reached QF later that month in Palermo (l. to A. Martin)…Played last tournament of season in Seveille, withdrawing from doubles after suffering from shoulder injury…Compiled 9-12 record on clay, 6-6 on hard, 0-1 on grass.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

1995-Finished fourth at Argentina #2 Satellite (19 points)...1996-Jumped from No. 433 to 137 with first ATP QF in Kitzbuhel (d. Kuerten, Moya, Schalken) and runner-up at Santiago Challenger (l. to Canas)...1997-Reached his first ATP final in Casablanca (l. to Arazi) and in Challenger play, compiled a 19-12 record, winning his first title in Rio Grande (d. Craca) and two weeks later, capturing title in his hometown of Buenos Aires (d. Moyano)...1998-Took part in first all-Argentine final since 1982 when he lost to Puerta in Palermo...Also reached Kitzbnhel SF...1999-Finished as No. 2 Argentine and captured his first ATP title in Munich in May with wins over Haas (2nd RD), Zabaleta (SF) and Pavel in final...Beat No. 3 Kafelnikov in 2nd RD in Barcelona for first Top 10 win ...Also beat No. 3 Moya en route to first TMS QF in Rome...In Challengers, reached final in Braunschwieg (l. to Knippschild)...2000-Compiled his best season with two ATP titles in Munich and Stuttgart, a Grand Slam-best SF appearance at Roland Garros and 34 match wins...Reached SF in Mexico City and first career ATP hard court QF in Cincinnati...Made his Olympics debut in Sydney (l. to Alami in 1st RD)...Had 25-10 record on clay...Earned a career high $754,458...2001 - Was undefeated in Davis Cup action (5-0) helping country back into World Group...Reached five QF on ATP circuit, including TMS Hamburg, where he defeated Federer, Chang and Gaudio (l. to Hewitt)...Also advanced to 4th RD at Roland Garros (l. to Agassi in five sets)...Went 26-17 on clay...2002-Finished in Top 85 for fifth straight year, highlighted by final in Sopot (l. to Acasuso) and 4th RD at TMS Miami...Also QF in Buenos Aires and Bucharest...Finished season with Challenger title at Sao Paulo #3 (d. Horna).

PERSONAL

Nicknamed "Toto"...Reached QF of Orange Bowl 18s and won South American junior championships in 1993... Enjoys soccer (fan of San Lorenzo) and music of Rolling Stones and U2...Owns an English Shepherd called Duque...Admired countryman and former great Guillermo Vilas while growing up...Lists Argentina's 1986 World Cup soccer victory as his greatest sports memory...Considers forehand as best shot...Has a 10-2 career Davis Cup singles record in eight ties...Coached by countryman and former ATP pro Gabriel Markus.