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New challenge awaits three-time champ Kuerten
Gustavo Kuerten faces an unknown challenge in the French Open quarterfinals.
A three-time champion on the clay of Roland Garros, the Brazilian next plays David Nalbandian of Argentina, whom he has never faced on any surface.
The two South Americans meet Wednesday -- the same day fierce soccer rivals Argentina and Brazil play in a World Cup qualifying match. Kuerten advanced Monday after beating Feliciano Lopez of Spain 6-3, 7-5, 6-4. Nalbandian eliminated former U.S. Open winner Marat Safin of Russia 7-5, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-3. "Nothing's going to be easy for me," Kuerten said, looking ahead to the clash with Nalbandian. "But everything I face now is a kind of motivation to raise my game even higher." No. 12-seeded Lleyton Hewitt of Australia reached the quarterfinals at Roland Garros for the second time when he beat Xavier Malisse of Belgium 7-5, 6-2, 7-6 (6). Hewitt's opponent Wednesday will be unseeded Gaston Gaudio of Argentina, who advanced by beating Igor Andreev 6-4, 7-5, 6-3. Andreev upset defending champion Juan Carlos Ferrero in the second round. Kuerten will have the fans behind him when he takes on big-hitting Nalbandian. He has been a favorite at Roland Garros since 1997, when he won his first title as an unseeded 20-year-old. More success followed with titles in 2000 and 2001. Since no French men made it to the quarterfinals this year, local affection is focused on Kuerten and Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo, who reached the final eight. Kuerten said his success in Paris will help against Nalbandian, runner-up at Wimbledon in 2002. "I can take advantage of the experience I had before, that's for sure," Kuerten said. "I think it's been helping me since the start of the tournament and it's increasing match by match." Nalbandian, seeded eighth, was one of four Argentines in the men's quarterfinals, a Grand Slam record. He called Kuerten "a very dangerous player." "I think it's going to be very tough," he said. "He'll have the crowd on his side, and I think that's absolutely understandable. He's a great player and deserves respect." Kuerten arrived in Paris seeded just 28th and troubled by a right hip that required surgery in 2002. But Roland Garros brings out his best, and he upset top-ranked Roger Federer in straight sets in the third round. The Brazilian's latest victory was just as efficient. He dominated with his serve and faced only one break point. "I never expected this to happen," said Kuerten, fighting back tears. "I'm very emotional right now." He twice requested massage treatment from a trainer but moved well throughout the match, sliding across the clay with his customary grace. One pivotal point sent him from corner to corner and back before he pulled a forehand winner crosscourt, prompting a roar from the center-court crowd. Kuerten broke for a 3-1 lead in the first set and stayed ahead the rest of the way, wavering only when he was broken serving for the second set. He quickly recovered to sweep the final eight points of the set. Four points from victory, Kuerten played serve and volley, fell lunging for a shot and rolled onto his back. He arose covered with clay and toweled off with assistance from a ball boy before resuming play. "Look at me," he said, smiling and filthy moments after the match. "This never happened to me in my life. I'm all dirty." |
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