1996 IN REVIEW

Another in a seemingly endless line of Spaniards making a move on the Top 100 in 1996...Jumped more than 100 ranking spots during year thanks mainly to Challenger success...Won first career title in Istanbul (d. Fleurian) on hardcourts in August, sandwiched around four QF (Kosice, Ostend, Scheveningen, Segovia)...Best ATP Tour performance was 3rd RD in Barcelona where, as a qualifier, he upset Noszaly and Haarhuis before losing to Rios in three sets...Also defeated 1995 finalist Karbacher in Indianapolis 6-2, 6-0 in the 1st RD before losing to Corretja in three sets...Broke into Top 200 early in the year by finishing second on Israel #1 Satellite...Earned a career-high $68,344