MEXICO CITY, 28 February 2005 — Eighteen-year-old Rafael Nadal captured his second ATP Tour title in as many weeks when he destroyed fellow Spaniard Albert Montanes in the $643,000 Abierto Mexicano event in Acapulco, Mexico on Saturday. The unseeded Montanes, playing in his first final of the year, was no match for the eighth seed who romped to a 6-1, 6-0 victory.

Victory secured a third career title for Nadal, who defeated compatriot Alberto Martin in last week’s Brazil Open final.

Pennetta on Track for Second Successive Title

Top seed Flavia Pennetta remained on course for her second title in as many weeks by setting up a final with Slovakian Ludmila Cervanova at the Mexican Open.

The Italian arrived for Saturday’s semifinal looking for her first victory over compatriot Antonella Serra Zanetti, who held a 4-0 head-to-head advantage over Pennetta.

She cast aside that unflattering record with the minimum of fuss by posting a 6-2, 6-1 victory at the Acapulco claycourt event.

Cervanova earned a battling 2-6, 7-5, 6-1 win over fifth seed Dally Randriantefy of Madagascar in the other semifinal.

Arthurs, Ancic Set for Scottsdale Showdown

Aussie Wayne Arthurs overpowered Belgian Christophe Rochus 7-5, 7-6 on Saturday to reach the final of the $355,000 Scottsdale ATP tournament.The 33-year-old Arthurs, who is seeking his first career ATP Tour singles title, was playing in his first ATP semifinal in two years and reached his first final since Nottingham in 2002.

Arthurs next will face No. 3 Mario Ancic of Croatia, who cruised past second seed and defending champion Vincent Spadea of the United States, 6-1, 6-4.

Champions Spain Hope History Fails to Repeat

In London, Spain will be hoping history does not repeat itself when they begin the defense of their Davis Cup crown against Slovakia on Friday.

After winning the title for the first time in 2000, Spain’s reign as champions lasted just two months.

Humbled in the first round of the 2001 competition by the Netherlands, Spanish teenager Rafael Nadal has been handed the responsibility of ensuring his nation does not suffer the same fate in Bratislava. The in-form Nadal, fresh from two consecutive victories on the ATP tour, will spearhead the Spanish campaign in the absence of Carlos Moya, Juan Carlos Ferrero and Tommy Robredo.