June 8, 2005
HALLE, Germany - Former San Diego State All-American and three-time letterwinner Alex Waske defeated French Open Champion and third-seeded Rafael Nadal, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, in the first round of the Gerry Weber Open in Halle, Germany. Waske's victory snapped Nadal's 24-match winning streak and advances to face Juan Carlos Ferrero in the second round. The grass court tournament is a pre-Wimbledon tune-up before the Championships take place June 20.
During his time at SDSU, Waske produced the second-highest singles winning percentage (.793) and is fifth in career singles victories with 65. He also won 27 singles matches in 1999, which places him in a tie for fourth in school history. That same season he won at a .771 clip (27-8), good for fifth all-time.
In doubles he was just as good, posting 57 career wins in three seasons. He and Adam Webster combined to win 24 times from 1999-00, an effort that ranks them third in program history. During his tenure, he went 57-20 (.740). His total winning percentage is good for fifth in the Aztec Record Book.
Waske, ranked No. 147 in the in the INDESIT ATP Entry Rankings, is no stranger to defeating big name opponents as he has already defeated Carlos Moya, Goran Ivanisevic, Andrea Gaudenzi and Jan Vacek during his time on the professional circuit.
Earlier in the year at the 2005 Australian Open, he and his partner, Jurgen Melzer, defeated the world's No. 1 ranked doubles team in the opening round and advanced to the championship semifinal.