1998 IN REVIEW

Made surge of 378 positions in ATP Tour Rankings with success in Challengers and Satellites...Began season with fourth place finish at Spain #2 Satellite (29 points) and followed by winning Spain #3 Satellite (52 points)...After both circuits, ranking improved from 539 on Feb. 2 to No. 302 on Mar. 30...Made his debut on ATP Tour by qualifying in all five appearances during season...Qualified for his first career ATP Tour event in St. P�lten and beat Hipfl in 1st RD before losing to Filippini in next round...In June, advanced to QF at Prostejov Challenger and three weeks later, reached QF at Biella Challenger...In August, advanced to SF at Poznan Challenger and followed with QF at Nettingsdorf Challenger...In two of his final three Tour appearances, posted a 1st RD victory-in Bournemouth (d. Heuberger) and in Mallorca (d. Squillari)...Closed season by winning one round in three of his last four Challengers...Earned a career-high $51,950.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

1995-Picked up total of 19 points in two Spanish Satellites...Finished fifth at Spain #7 circuit (12 points)...1996-In his second Challenger appearance, advanced to SF in Prostejov (l. to Clavet)...Also QF at Seville Challenger...Played in five Spanish Satellites, finishing third at circuit #3 (25 points)...Suffered a knee injury at end of season and sidelined him for two months...1997-Came back slowly from injury and played in only three Challengers (0-3) during season...Played in three Satellites and finished third at Spain #7 circuit (23 points)

PERSONAL

Began playing tennis at age four...Father, Felipe, is a tennis coach; mother, Manuela, is a housewife...Has one younger brother, David...Hobbies include going to cinema, playing soccer and skiing...Favorite movies are "Braveheart" and "The Silence of the Lambs"...Favorite surface is clay and considers backhand as best shot...Enjoys eating egg dishes like "tortilla" and fried eggs...Coached by Alvaro Margets and fitness trainer is Sebastian Santaeugenia.