Almagro on for triple crown

Nicolás Almagro was overlooked for Spain's Davis Cup tie against Belgium from March 4 to 6 in favor of Rafa Nadal, who is returning to the national fold after injury. Almagro last participated in the international championship when Spain traveled to France for last year's World Group quarterfinal. Albert Costa's team returned chastened after Spain's first whitewash in over half a century and Almagro has been sacrificed to make way for the world number one.

David Ferrer and Fernando Verdasco rank higher in singles and Feliciano López travels to Charleroi as Spain's doubles choice, despite ranking almost 70 places below Almagro in that ranking.

It is not unfamiliar territory for Almagro, who has long labored under the shadow of his more illustrious countrymen. On current form though, it may not be long before the 25-year-old from Murcia joins Nadal, Ferrer and Verdasco in the top 10. On Sunday, Almagro lifted his second consecutive ATP title at the Copa Claro in Buenos Aires, having won the Costa do Sauipe tournament in Brazil the week before.

Unplayable

This week in Acapulco, where he is seeded three behind Ferrer and Verdasco, Almagro, the 2008 and 2009 champ, is seeking a triple set of titles on the Latin American Golden Swing. Of the nine Tour-level trophies Almagro has lifted, five have come on the early season clay-court series in the Americas; all of them won on clay.

A hard-hitting offensive back-courter, Almagro possesses a thunderous serve and a punishing forehand. The world number 13 is also the landlord of a feisty temperament that last week led to catcalls from the stands at the Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club. When he channels his ire through his racket, however, he can be unplayable. Almagro was applauded from the court after his three-set win over local favorite Juan Ignacio Chela.

"I'm in the happiest moment of my tennis career," Almagro said after the Buenos Aires final.

With Acapulco still to play and the European clay-court season beckoning, Almagro may be on the verge of a triumphant year. Sunday's win was a landmark 200th Tour-level match victory. Back-to-back titles have created daylight between his number 13 ranking and Ivan Ljubicic, Stanislas Wawrinka and Mardy Fish behind him. Almagro is now 545 points away from a coveted place in the top 10.

Chela joked after his loss that he hoped Almagro would skip the Golden Swing next year. "Sorry mate, but I hope I'll keep coming back, reaching finals and winning," came the response.