Can Andy Slide Past Chela?

After his most impressive win against former French Open champion, Gaston Gaudio on Wednesday in Rome, Andy will now take on another Argentine in Juan Ignacio Chela in the third round. Chela, who has four clay court titles to his name, reached the third round at the Foro Italico with wins over Marc Gicquel and Igor Andreev. The ATP tour veteran has had an excellent start to 2007 with a title win in Acapulco, a semi final appearance in Costa Do Sauipe, and quarter final spots in Auckland, Buenos Aires, Indian Wells, and Miami.Here are his stats courtesy of the ATP site:

Birthdate: 30-Aug-79
Birthplace: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Residence: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Height: 6’3’’ (190 cm)
Weight: 165 lbs (75 kg)
Plays: Right-handed
Turned Pro: 1998
Coach: Mariano Monachesi
Current ATP Ranking – Singles: 23
Career High ATP Ranking – Singles: 15 (9-Aug-04)
Current ATP Race – Singles: 12
Current Stanford ATP Doubles Ranking: 90
Career High Stanford ATP Doubles Ranking: 34 (17-May-04)

Andy has a superb record over Chela, leading their head to head standing by 6-1, all of those matches being played on hard court.

Speaking ahead of the clash, Andy said: “I’d be curious to see where his results are better actually, on hard or clay. I’d like to see the stats on that.

“I think pretty much anybody from Argentina is at least comfortable on clay, and very capable.”

The match will take place on Thursday in Rome, first out on Campo Centrale, with play beginning at 1pm CET (7am EST).

Good luck, Andy!