Garcia-Lopez shocks Moya at Australian Open
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-01-18 11:02

Former world number one Carlos Moya was knocked out of the Australian Open on Monday by a little-known Spaniard who grew up idolising him.

Guillermo Garcia-Lopez pulled off the first big upset at this year's tournament by beating his famous compatriot 7-5 6-3 3-6 6-3 in the first round.

Carlos Moya of Spain reacts to a missed shot against compatriot Gullermo Garcia-Lopez. World number one Roger Federer and women's favourite Serena Williams led the way into the Australian Open second round but Spanish star Moya was dumped out. [AFP]

Garcia-Lopez, 21, was appearing in only his third grand slam match and had to win three matches just to qualify for the main draw but showed no sign of nerves as he squared up against his hero, sealing victory in less than three hours.

"This has given me a lot of confidence. Now I feel I can beat all these players."

Moya was the toast of Spain after helping his country win the Davis Cup in December and was confident of doing well at the Australian Open, where he was runner-up in 1997.

The fifth seed won the Chennai Open earlier this month, beating Garcia-Lopez in the semi-finals, but was unable to repeat that performance on the opening day in Melbourne.

"I was playing well before I came here. It was the perfect preparation but something was wrong today," Moya said.

"I started the match playing pretty well and I had it under control but then things went wrong.

"My serve and my forehand didn't help at all and they are my best two weapons."

Moya's surprise loss was his first against another Spaniard since October 2003. He played 14 matches against his countrymen last year and won them all.

Moya, 28, did have opportunities against Garcia-Lopez but failed to take his chances, converting just three of 16 break points while committing 49 unforced errors.

"He played a great match. He didn't feel the pressure at all and the last game he played was unbelievable," Moya said.

"He hits the ball very hard. I think he's gonna go higher in the rankings."

Garcia-Lopez will play Kevin Kim in the second round after the American beat South Korea's Lee Hyung-taik in five sets.

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