Receiving a first-round bye, he beat Filippo Volandri in the second round, finally winning an opening-round match after suffering four consecutive opening-round exits. In the quarterfinals, he beat Albert Ramos to set up a semifinal meeting with defending champion and former world no. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero.
Receiving a preliminary advantage, he defeated Filippo Volandri in the second round, securing his first triumph in the initial round after four consecutive losses in the opening rounds. In the quarterfinals, he outdid Albert Ramos to prepare for a semifinal match against Juan Carlos Ferrero, the defending champion and former world No. 1.