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Men's Tennis
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Women's Tennis
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| Saturday, June 2 |
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| Safin's struggles continue against Santoro ESPN.com news services | |||
PARIS -- Second seed Marat Safin of
Russia was knocked out of the French Open on Saturday,
falling 6-4, 6-4, 4-6, 0-6, 6-1 to Fabrice Santoro of France in the
third round.
"This afternoon is the greatest happiness, the greatest joy,"
Santoro said.
The defeat was the latest setback for the U.S. Open champion.
Before this tournament, Safin had not advanced past the second
round in his past five major tournaments. He has been hampered by a
back injury since February.
The Russian refused to attend a postmatch news conference,
drawing a $10,000 fine.
American third seed Andre Agassi booked his fourth-round
place with an entertaining 6-3, 2-6, 6-1, 6-3 victory against
Brazilian Fernando Meligeni in a match which finished in
streaming rain on a darkening Center Court.
"It was pretty hard seeing the ball out there," said Agassi.
"It was nice to finish it off in time to have a good dinner
tonight."
The 1999 champion at Roland Garros showed flashes of his
best form but suffered a lapse in concentration after an
eight-minute rain delay in the second set, allowing his opponent
to square the match.
Next, Agassi will face No. 16 Franco Squillari, who defeated Spanish qualifier
Albert Montanes 6-3, 6-3, 5-7, 6-3.
No. 10 seed Sebastien Grosjean of France also as he went five sets against countryman Anthony Dupais before winning 6-4, 2-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2. Alex Corretja of Spain had an easier time taking down Magnus Larsson in straight sets 6-0, 6-3, 6-4.
Safin became the highest seed to
tumble in the men's singles, going down in three hours and 12
minutes to the unseeded Santoro, who has now beaten him in six
of their seven meetings.
Safin committed a string of unforced errors on a chilly,
blustery Center Court in the opening two sets.
He won 11 straight games from 4-2 down in set three, though,
only to lose his serve and his nerve in the fourth game of the
final set as the match slipped from his grasp.
Santoro, cheered on by chants of "Fabrice, Fabrice"
from the home crowd, will face Corretja in the fourth round. Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories | |
ALSO SEE Agassi pleased to finish match in time for dinner Washington: Some guy could reach first final Kirkpatrick: She can't stop herself Capriati, Williams easily advance at French Open Roddick's French Open campaign ends in agony AUDIO/VIDEO   According to 1999 champion Andre Agassi, you need a little bit of luck in order to win the French Open.wav: 212 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 | |
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