Monday, Jun 09, 2003
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Tennis
Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero plants a kiss on the `Musketeers Cup' after winning the men's singles title in the French Open at Roland Garros on Sunday — Reuters
Ferrero, nicknamed "Mosquito" because of the way he races around the court, won with steady, patient baseline play — and occasional flashes of brilliance. Verkerk had never won a Grand Slam match coming into the tournament, and he didn't play with the confidence or verve he showed during his unexpected run to the final. He served poorly, and Ferrero kept the 1.96-metre (6-foot-5) Dutchman pinned deep in long rallies, which worked to the stylish Spaniard's advantage. Standing nearly 4 metres (12 feet) behind the baseline, Ferrero ripped several of Verkerk's 201-kph (125-mph) serves for return winners, including one lunging shot from three steps off the court. By the third set, Ferrero was so relaxed he even played serve-and-volley on one point — and won it. A streaker wearing only three tennis balls ran onto the court during a second-set changeover but did nothing to distract Ferrero, who has come close at Roland Garros before. He was a semifinalist in 2000 and 2001 and lost in the final last year to Albert Costa. "This is a tournament I always wanted to win," Ferrero told the crowd in Spanish during the trophy ceremony. "Now I have it in my pocket." The ceremony included Yannick Noah, the last Frenchman to win the French Open. His only major title came at Roland Garros 20 years ago. "Bravo Juan Carlos for his first Grand Slam title," Noah said. "I hope he does better than me and doesn't stop here." Said Verkerk: "I never expected to be standing here. Now that I am here, the only thing I can say to Juan Carlos is he deserved to win." It was the most lopsided men's final at Roland Garros since Bjorn Borg beat Guillermo Vilas 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 in 1978. Ferrero made it two first-time champions in one weekend at the French Open. Justine Henin-Hardenne won her first major title in the women's final Saturday, beating Kim Clijsters 6-0, 6-4. That was the most one-sided women's final in 15 years. On a breezy, mild afternoon, Verkerk appeared unnerved at the outset. In the opening game he double-faulted twice, faced five break points and lost the last one when he dumped a backhand into the net. Struggling to get his first serve in, Verkerk was broken again for 4-1 and again in the final game of the opening set. On the final point he smacked a 201-kph (125-mph) serve, but an off-balance Ferrero ripped a return winner. Ferrero lost only four points in his first four service games. But the Dutchman briefly began to play better and look more animated, pumping his fist and running to his position after each point. Verkerk held at love for 1-1, closing the game with an ace and a shout of "Come on!" as the crowd roared. He then broke for the first time. But he double-faulted in the next game to give the break back, and Ferrero won the final three games of the second set for a commanding lead. The Spaniard remained cool at the finish, winning 10 of the final 11 points. When Ferrero cracked one last forehand winner on match point, he sank to his knees in jubilation. The stoic Spaniard cracked a grin and jumped into the stands to hug his girlfriend, relatives and coach. Ferrero earned $983,000. Verkerk received $491,000, more than doubling his career earnings in seven years as a pro. In women's doubles, Kim Clijsters of Belgium, beaten by compatriot Justine Henin-Hardenne in the singles final, gave herself a happy 20th birthday present today with victory alongside Japan's Ai Sugiyama. Clijsters and Sugiyama, the second seeds, saw off their top-ranked opponents Virginia Ruano Pascual, of Spain, and Paola Suarez, of Argentina, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 9-7 in a thrilling final which saw the champions come back from 0-2 down in the third set. They immediately broke back and levelled but the contest went down to the wire as Suarez and Pascual broke for 5-5 when a nervous Clijsters failed to serve out for the title. Suarez, who had won the previous two editions alongside Ruano Pascual, then successfully brought through her service game for 6-5 leaving Sugiyama to hold for 6-6. Ruano Pascual then held her nerve and her serve to leave Clijsters having to level for 7-7. She did so and a final effort saw the winning pair break the Suarez serve before Sugiyama held to land the trophy. Clijsters made it third time lucky in landing some Roland Garros silverware. She was runner-up to Jennifer Capriati in the 2001 singles final before losing Saturday's encounter to Henin-Hardenne 6-0 6-4. Sugiyama, a 27-year-old from Kanagawa, had previously been a doubles semifinalist in 2000 and 2002. Three years ago, then top ranked in the world for doubles, she won the U.S. Open doubles title alongside Julie Halard-Decugis of France. The results (finals): Men's singles: 3-Juan Carlos Ferrero (Esp) bt Martin Verkerk (Ned) 6-1, 6-3, 6-2. Women's doubles: Kim Clijsters (Bel) & 2-Ai Sugiyama (Jpn) bt 1-Virginia Ruano Pascual (Esp) & Paola Suarez (Arg) 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 9-7.
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