Hi everyone,

I'm not referring to Nadal, everyone knew he would make the final, even if Roger was in his way. But wasn't Puerta absolutely stunning? He didn't have that boyish charm but he certainly charged at balls with the ferocity of a bull... what with his stocky build and calm demeanour. Anyway, what did you all think about Mariano? Think this will lift his game from now on? His final v Nadal was MUCH harder than Gaudio's v Coria. Mariano is mentally much stronger than Gaston, that's obvious from the start. And Nadal is rock-solid mentally too. So Puerta-Nadal was a much better match than last year's final. Anyway, I've been following Puerta's career since last year and it's so good to see someone come so far from being so low...

Cheers everyone,
Stjepanidze

Doesn't he ONLY play on clay and avoids grass, hardcourts and indoors? If so, how can he get anywhere?

Stjep, welcome to Outsports, and so glad to have you aboard from Lima Peru--I think that's a first here.

Last night I was having dinner with a girlfriend who said "Why did you tell me about the French Open? I had to watch, and who is that Puerta?" She was completely hooked on him. And he was/is so hot. That stockly, manly build is very appealing. I remember watching him in some earlier tournaments and at the moment don't recall which ones, but he was on my radar because he's so damn hot and I love his leftie game. I would like to see him in some good hardcourt events, so we'll have to wait and see if he's energize by his French Open result.

It's not a good transition to go to grass from clay. But clay courters do very well on hard courts. Just look at all th ebaseliners who win the US Open and the fact that Nadal almost won Miami.

Y ... bienvenido de mi tambien Peruano. como andas en Lima hombre?

[ June 13, 2005, 10:47 AM: Message edited by: ung ]

Be interesting to see where Puerta goes - so many times, that 1-time great run doesn't mean long-term successs (See: 2002 Aussie Open, Johannsen; 2002 French Open, Costa; 2003 French Open finals, Verkerk; 2004 French Open, Gaudio).

He played a helluva tournament, but I wonder if he can translate to hard courts or even to next clay-court season.

Hey Perry. Do I know you?