1996 IN REVIEW

Breakthrough year highlighted by ranking jump of nearly 150 positions...Made ATP Tour debut by qualifying in Auckland and the Australian Open to start the year, losing 1st RD at both...Gained momentum two weeks later by reaching first career Challenger final in Lippstadt (l. to Dreekmann), followed by QF at Wolfsburg Challenger...Won first career Challenger in Dresden (d. Blanco) in May, five weeks after reaching Napoli SF...Added second title in Tanagura in October (d. A. Chang) and closed year with title in Reunion Island (d. Champion)...Also reached QF in Bratislava and Kosice, helping him finish with 35-13 record in Challengers...Accumulated 447 Ranking points in Challenger play, second to Hrbaty for +96...Won 1st ATP Tour match in Bastad in July (d. Utgren) and defeated No. 26 Haarhuis in Singapore 1st RD for best career win...Advanced to first career Tour QF in Stockholm (l. to Enqvist)...In doubles, reached Agadir (w/M. Norman) and Prostejov (w/F. Bergh) Challenger finals...Qualified five times during year, including at French Open and Mercedes Super 9 stop in Monte Carlo...Earned a career-high $119,670.