1998 IN REVIEW

Compiled his best results in doubles but struggled through first half of year before turning it around in July...Compiled 11-17 record through Wimbledon and came into Gstaad, where he qualified in singles and reached first doubles final of year (w/Suk)...Three weeks later, won first title of season and fourth of career, in Kitzbnhel (w/Kempers)...Returned to Europe after U.S. Open and enjoyed more success, winning Mallorca title and reaching Palermo final in back-to-back events (both w/Albano)...After dismal start, finished with a 20-10 record in Tour events...Finished in Top 50 for second straight year at No. 45 and won a career-best 31 Tour matches...Also earned career-best $135,113.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

1989-Made his breakthrough by winning Goiania Challenger (d. Pino) in Brazil...1990-Reached final at Geneva Challenger (l. to Arguello)...1991-Advanced to SF at Oporto-2 and Warsaw Challengers...Qualified for three ATP Tour stops, including first Grand Slam at Wimbledon...Won doubles title at San Luis Potosi Challenger (w/Hadad) and finalist at Cervia (w/Cunha-Silva) Challenger...1992-Reached singles final at Pembroke Pines Challenger (l. to Lavalle)...Won doubles title in Neu Ulm (w/Luza) and finalist at three other Challengers...1993-Reached singles QF in Buenos Aires and won Ljubljana Challenger title (d. Cherkasov)...Won first ATP Tour doubles title in San Marino (w/Rahnasto)...1994-Singles QF in Birmingham and Bastad...Won Tour doubles title in Hilversum (w/Siemerink) and Geneva Challenger (w/Lobo)...1995-Best showing was two SF in Challenger play because of injury-shortened season...1996-Four-time singles QF in Challenger play and doubles finalist at Salinas (w/Tieleman) and Puerta Vallarta (w/N'Goran) Challengers...1997-Jumped from 159 to No. 31 in doubles with title in Mexico City (w/Lapentti) and finals in Bucharest and Palermo (w/Davids)...Also SF in five other events, including French Open (w/Arnold). CAREER DOUBLES TITLES (5). FINALIST (5). GRAND SLAM RECORD CAREER94939291 AUS. OPEN0-11ST--- FRENCH OPEN0-1--1ST- WIMBLEDON0-2-1ST-1ST * 1997 French Open doubles semifinalist (w/Arnold).

PERSONAL

Began playing at age 9...Ranked No. 7 in the Argentine national junior rankings...Likes to play and watch soccer (River Plate is his favorite team) and likes sports in general...Likes books and movies that teach him things and stimulate his mind, and enjoys reading about places he travels to...Musically likes Latin music, especially salsa, but dream is to see U2 in concert...Also enjoys acoustic guitar music (but doesn't play)...Favorite surface is clay.