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Guillermo Sebastián Coria (born January 13, 1982 in Rufino,
Santa Fe Province), nicknamed El Imago (The Magician in Spanish), is a professional
tennis player from Argentina. He was named after tennis champion and countryman
Guillermo Vilas.
Coria turned professional in 2000, finishing 2003 and 2004
as a top ten. In 2004 he reached the French Open Men's Singles final beating,
among others former #1 Carlos Moyá, but was unexpectedly defeated
by unseeded compatriot Gastón Gaudio in an unprecedented all-Argentinean
final, 0-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1, 8-6.
El Mago has a good friend on the tour, David Nalbandian,
with whom he attended preschool in Argentina. He is a well known River Plate
fan, as shown when he wins his matches and celebrates like Chilean football
(soccer) Player Marcelo Salas.
Coria tested positive for nandrolone in April 2001 for which
he was suspended 3 months. In August 2004, he had a shoulder injury for which
he had to go to surgery shortly before the Houston Master Cup, in which he
had a poor performance. He is nevertheless one of the fastest players in
the Association of Tennis Professionals, consistently showing great performances
on clay courts tournaments.
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