2000 IN REVIEW

The left-handed Italian made big improvements from previous year in singles and doubles...In limited singles action (eight tournaments between Challenger and ATP), was productive by reaching his first ATP final in seven years...In doubles, played consistently throughout year with three ATP final appearances and four Challenger finals...Began first four months of season in Challengers, advancing to QF in succession in Wolfsburg, Lubeck and Cherbourg...His first ATP singles appearance came in late July in San Marino where he advanced to his first ATP SF (l. to Bruguera) since 1994...Two months later in Palermo, dropped only one set en route to his second career ATP final, only to lose to Belgian Olivier Rochus...Prior to final, posted consecutive wins over Spaniards Clavet, A. Martin and Bruguera...In doubles, won ATP title in Mallorca and Zagreb Challenger (w/Llodra) while reaching finals in St. Poelten and Bastad (w/Gaudenzi)...Closed season with SF at TMS - Paris (w/Garcia)...Finished No. 45 in doubles, his best year-end showing since 1994 when he was No. 42.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

1987 - Reached first Challenger final in Munich (l. to Shiras) and QF in two other events...1988 - Reached first ATP SF at Rye Brook and also QF in Basel en route to first Top 100 finish...Reached three doubles finals with as many partners...1989 - Best singles result was 3rd RD in Hamburg and Rome...In doubles, reached finals in Monte Carlo (w/Cane) and Palermo (w/Ivanisevic)...1990 - Singles SF at London - indoor...Won doubles title in Milan (w/Camporese)...1991 - Captured doubles title in Barcelona (w/de la Pena)...1992 - Defeated Top 10 Korda en route to QF in Key Biscayne...Also a SF in Copenhagen and Brisbane...1993 - Reached first ATP final in Bordeaux (l. to Bruguera) and SF in Rotterdam...Won doubles title in Jakarta (w/Raoux)...1994 - Singles SF in Marseille and Ostrava and won Annenheim Challenger (d. Damm)...Doubles finalist in Rosmalen (w/Nyborg) and Bordeaux (w/Raoux)...Earned a career-high $253,027...1995 - Singles QF in Rosmalen, San Marino and three other Challengers...Reached doubles finals at ATP stops in Mexico City and Estoril (both w/Goellner)...1996 - QF in singles in two Challengers and doubles finalist in Munich (w/Delaitre)...1997 - Won Olbia Challenger title (d. Musa) and SF in two other Challengers...Strained right calf in SF of Santa Cruz Challenger in late August and missed six weeks...In doubles, reached final at Prostejov Challenger (w/Melville) and SF in three other events...1998 - In August, reached finals at Winnetka and Binghamton Challenger where he retired due to blood disorder...Missed next two months...Won fourth career doubles title in Casablanca (w/Gaudenzi)...1999 - Finalist at Wolfsburg Challenger and SF at Olbia Challenger.

PERSONAL

Began playing at age nine and moved to Monte Carlo at age 13 with parents, Maria Teresa, who is a housewife, and father, Diario, who is a businessman...As a teenager, practiced with Borg and Vilas at Monte Carlo Country Club where he is a member...Became first Italian to win Wimbledon junior singles title, defeating Stoltenberg in 1987...In doubles, reached Wimbledon final (w/Rossi)...Finished No. 5 junior in world in singles that year...Youngest player to compete in Davis Cup for Italy at 17 years, 11 months (vs. Israel in 1988)...Keeps a diary on his computer...Has an 18-14 career Cup record (5-2 in singles) in 25 ties...Fitness trainer is Pino Carnevarle and works with American Brad Koontz...Son, Guglielmo.