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Men's Tennis
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Women's Tennis
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| Tuesday, June 5 |
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| Kuerten to face Ferrero in semifinals Associated Press | |||
PARIS -- Top seed Gustavo Kuerten, the defending French Open champion, proved again Tuesday why he is favored
to retain the title by defeating No. 7 Yevgeny Kafelnikov 6-1, 3-6,
7-6 (3), 6-4.
The Brazilian, who narrowly escaped defeat in the fourth round,
was back in top form against the 1996 champion, repeatedly hitting
searing backhand winners.
"Two days ago I was almost out," said Kuerten, who saved a
match point against American qualifier Michael Russell on Sunday.
"Again in the semifinals, it's a great feeling."
Kuerten faces No. 4 seed Juan Carlos Ferrero in the semifinals. Ferrero defeated No. 6 seed Lleyton Hewitt 6-4, 6-2, 6-1. Kuerten defeated Ferrero in an epic five-set semifinal here last year, however, Ferrero defeated Kuerten in the final in Rome last month.
"It's the game everyone has been talking about since the
start of the tournament," Ferrero said.
"Now it's here I can tell you I'm eager to win it."
Ferrero has been outstanding on clay this season, taking
three titles on the surface and emerging as the man most likely
to end the Brazilian's reign.
"I have a year more experience and I feel I'm playing even
better now.
"It should be a great game against Kuerten.
"I love playing here in Paris. I think it's the tournament
everyone wants to win, apart from maybe a few hardcourt
specialists."
Kuerten sped through his first set in 20 minutes, then came
unglued against Kafelnikov's powerful forehand and volleying
tactics.
At 4-4 in the third set, Kuerten saved five break points to hold
serve. He closed out the tiebreaker when Kafelnikov sent a backhand
into the net.
Kuerten took a 3-0 lead in the final set, twice breaking serve
when his opponent double faulted.
Kafelnikov broke back once but failed to tie the set and Kuerten
served for the match at 5-4, clinching victory when the Russian hit
a backhand return into the net.
Kuerten won the French Open title in 1997 and again last year. He beat
Kafelnikov in the quarterfinals both times.
Andre Agassi's fascination with the French public faces a tough
test Wednesday, when he plays local favorite Sebastien Grosjean,
the only Frenchman in the quarterfinals.
"I will understand the loyalty factor," Agassi said. "I'm
going to do my best to not hear anything out there and just go to
work."
The lack of crowd support could work in Agassi's favor.
Grosjean is playing only his second Grand Slam quarterfinal and
his first at Roland Garros. Carrying national expectations, he
risks the fate of Amelie Mauresmo, the Frenchwoman who was hyped to
win the tournament, but lost in the first round. She blamed her
defeat on pressure from the French public.
Unlike Mauresmo, Grosjean will have the advantage of going into
the match as the underdog.
He lost to Agassi in straight sets in their only previous
meeting, in the first round at the 1998 U.S. Open. Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories | |
ALSO SEE Capriati sets up French Open semi showdown with Hingis Agassi outlasts Squillari, reaches French quarters Kirkpatrick: It's Homer Simpson, by a bagel Washington: Quarterfinal picks Shriver: Capriati headed toward second Grand Slam title Kuerten scrapes past Russell at French Open Kirkpatrick: Going ga-ga over Russell | |
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