Family: Father Norberto, Mother Alda, Brothers Javier & Dario
Coach: Eduardo Infantino, formerly Gabriel Markus
Hobbies: Soccer (big fan of River Plate) , Car Rallying, Angling
1998: As a prodigious 16 year old, won the US Open Boys Singles, already demonstrating a versatile game for all speeds and surfaces. First tentative steps on the senior Futures tour.
1999: Junior success continued with a runners-up spot at Roland Garros (to Coria) and semi-final spot at Wimbledon, when he was defaulted for not turning up to his match due to a scheduling misunderstanding. Won Boys Doubles (w/ Coria). Won first Futures title in Italy.
2000: Now a full time senior tour player. Semi-finals at Belo Horizonte & Buenos Aires Challenger events. Pushes Jim Courier to tough 3 setter in ATP Tour debut.
2001: Strong start with two ATP quarters in Bogota and Vina Del Mar. The European summer tour brought semi results in Umag and Sopot, culminating with first ATP tour final in Palermo.
2002: Swept to first ATP tour tournament win in Estoril with victories over Ferrero and Moya. As No 28 seed at Wimbledon, defied all expectation by reaching final with hard fought wins over Arthurs, Lapentti and Malisse. Consolidated with quarter-final in Montreal and then topped off year with win in Basel, beating Henman, Federer and Gonzalez.
2003: Kicked off the year with yet another win over Federer to make Australian Open quarters. Solid results through spring capped by semis in TMS Hamburg and last 16 Wimbledon after a setback at Roland Garros. Brilliant spell in late summer on cement - final in Montreal, quarters in Cincinnatti, then semi at US Open after subduing the serves of Federer and Philippoussis, and a narrow and controversial loss to Roddick. Wrist and abdomen injuries meant a string of withdrawals from autumn events but returned to reach final in Basel and thus qualify for Tennis Masters Cup. There, trounced Ferrero but lost to Federer and to Agassi in another contentious match.
