May 03, 2010

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Having been on the pro circuit for 10 years, Albert Montanes seems to have found his groove on the clay court surface this season. He has been steadily climbing the rankings as he finished the 2009 season inside the Top 40 for the first time in his career. Montanes had a strong showing at the ATP Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters tournament in Monaco in mid-April, making it into the quarter-finals.

In 2009, this Spaniard from Saint Carles de la Rapita captured two ATP World Tour clay court titles. He has three career singles titles and one additional final appearance since 2006, all of which were on clay.

Montanes competed in Monte-Carlo, which is the first of three Masters 1000 tournaments played on clay and a lead-up event to the French Open. He had one of his best showings in Monaco, as he advanced to the quarter-finals to face-off against his Spanish comrade, Fernando Verdasco. On his way to the round of 16, Montanes defeated Marcos Baghdatis in the first round in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2. He met Andreas Seppi in the next and fought through a three-set dual to finish on top, 7-6 (1), 3-6, 6-0.

It has been a while since Montanes has gotten this deep into a 1000 level ATP tournament, but he favours clay and should be able to continue to perform well during this portion of the season. Perhaps Montanes is ready to break out of his decade-long cruise control. He encountered Marin Cilic in the third round of Monte-Carlo and defeated him 6-4, 6-4, which gave him his spot in the quarter-finals. Ranked No. 9 in the world, it was evident that Verdasco was the favourite to win, but it was no walk in the park. Montanes gave him a run for his money, challenging Verdasco, but eventually submitting to him in a three-set match, 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-0.

Although he faltered in Rome at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia against Paolo Lorenzi, a Top 100 player, in the first round, he has the opportunity to redeem himself in Madrid. With some wins under his belt, a more confident Montanes could offer his opponents some serious competition and have more consistent results.