Guillermo Coria

Birthdate: 1/13/1982

Birthplace: Rufino, Argentina

Residence: Venado Tuerto, Argentina

Height: 5'9'' (175 cm)

Weight: 145 lbs (65 kg)

Plays: Right-handed

Turned Pro 2000

2003 IN REVIEW
The Argentine compiled an outstanding record (27-9) leading into Roland Garros, losing only one opening round match in his first 10 tournaments...His 27 match wins surpassed his previous best of 26 in 2001...He opened season with QF in Auckland and 4th RD at Australian Open (ret. vs. Agassi)...He also advanced to 3rd RD at TMS Indian Wells (l. to Hewitt) and 4th RD at TMS Miami (l. to Costa), both in three sets...Compiled a 9-5 mark on hard courts...On his favorite clay surface, he reached finals in Buenos Aires (d. Nalbandian in QF, Gaudio in SF, l. to Moya) and TMS Monte Carlo (d. Moya in SF, l. to Ferrero)...His biggest week of career came at TMS Hamburg where he posted straight-set wins over Spadea, Nieminen, Youzhny, Philippoussis before beating countrymen Gaudio (SF) and Calleri (F) to become first Argentine winner since Vilas in 1978...Afterwards, climbed from 16 into Top 10 for first time at No. 7 on May 19. 2002 IN REVIEW
The young Argentine recovered from injury and suspension to finish in Top 50 in ATP Entry Ranking for second consecutive yearàTurned in career-best results in Grand Slams and Tennis Masters Series events and won two Challenger titlesàWon more than 20 matches on ATP circuit for second successive seasonàAdvanced to 3rd RD at Roland Garros and US Open in only Grand Slam tournaments of year, as well as 3rd RD at TMS Miami for second yearàMissed six months from Aug. 2001 and returned to action in North Miami Beach Challenger, reaching 2nd RDàFollowing week at TMS Miami, defeated Balcells and Costa before losing to Johansson in 3rd RDàOn clay, advanced to SF in Houston, losing to eventual champion Roddick in three setsàReached career-best 3rd RD at Roland Garros (l. to eventual finalist Ferrero)àReturned to Challenger circuit and won titles in Prostejov (d. Novak in F) and Lugano (d. Galimberti) àIn July, advanced to second ATP QF of season in Umag (l. to Ferrer)à On U.S. hard courts, qualified for TMS Cincinnati (l. to Agassi in 2nd RD)àAlso advanced to 3rd RD at Washington (d. W. Black, d. Gonzalez, l. to eventual champion Blake)àIn first appearance at Flushing Meadows, lost to Clement in 3rd RDàFollowing week, reached final of Brasil Open and held championship point against Kuerten before losing in third set tie-breakàCompiled 13-8 record on hard courts, 9-7 on clay, 0-1 on carpet.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
1999-Played in six Futures events, with a SF at Argentina #5...2000-Played a total of 18 pro tournaments (Futures, Challenger, ATP) during year and only lost once in 1st RD...Won title at Chile #2 and Argentina #3...Qualified for his first Grand Slam event at Roland Garros (l. to W. Ferreira in 2nd RD)...Won last four Challengers on Copa Ericsson circuit-Lima (d. Marin), Sao Paulo-2 (d. Behrend), Montevideo (d. Acasuso) and Buenos Aires (d. Berasategui)... Qualified in three of his four ATP level tournaments during year (Mallorca, Roland Garros, Kitzbuehel)...2001- Improved his year-end finish for fourth consecutive year, highlighted by first ATP title in Vina del Mar (d. countryman Gaudio in F)à Advanced to final in Mallorca (l. to A. Martin) as well as SFs at TMS Monte Carlo, losing to eventual champion Kuerten, and Kitzbuehel (l. to Costa).
PERSONAL
Began playing tennis soon after learning to walk when his father, Oscar, a tennis coach, introduced game to him...Named his son after former Argentine great Guillermo Vilas...Mother, Graciela, is a housewife... Comes from Venado Tuerto, a small town three hours from Buenos Aires and considers it "the best city in the world and I wouldn't change it for any other"...Now has an apartment in Buenos Aires where he practices and lives with his grandmother who cooks and looks after him...He is oldest of three brothers...Admired Andre Agassi and Marcelo Rios while growing up...Captured Roland Garros junior title in 1999 (d. Nalbandian) and finished as No. 2 junior in world singles, No. 5 in doubles... Also won junior titles in Argentina, Paraguay and Canada...In doubles, won Wimbledon junior title (w/Nalbandian) and Orange Bowl 16s champion in 1997 ...Reached final of Orange Bowl 18s following year (l. to Federer)...Enjoys playing soccer with his friends, is a fan of River Plate team...Favorite band is Guns N' Roses...Considers clay as favorite surface...Coached by countryman and former Argentine pro Alberto Mancini (since Feb. 03).