Day 6: Saturday, 31 May

CHATRIER 11:00 AM Start

1. Women's Singles - 3rd Rnd. Paola Suarez (ARG)[30] vs. Kim Clijsters (BEL)[2]
2. Women's Singles - 3rd Rnd. Lindsay Davenport (USA)[6] vs. Nathalie Dechy (FRA)[25]
3. Men's Singles - 3rd Rnd. Arnaud Clement (FRA)[32] vs. Nicolas Coutelot (FRA)
4. Men's Singles - 3rd Rnd. Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP)[3] vs. Tim Henman (GBR)[25]

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Day Six Preview By FFT

In Saturday's blockbuster line-up, three-time champ Gustavo Kuerten takes on No21 seed Gaston Gaudio, while 2002 finalist Juan Carlos Ferrero meets British hope Tim Henman. In women's action, sixth seed Lindsay Davenport faces French challenger, No25 seed Nathalie Dechy, who will be attempting to make it into the second week at Roland-Garros for the first time in her career.

After five days of non-stop sunshine, the first drops of rain are expected for Saturday. It remains to be seen whether the storm clouds gather around the tournament favorites though, most of whom made hay while the sun has shone. In the men's tournament, for example, twelve of the sixteen survivors are seeds.

[...]

Few would give Great Britain's lone hope Tim Henman much of a chance against clay maestro Juan Carlos Ferrero. The Brit is a classic exponent of the serve-volley game, and seems to have fully recovered from a shoulder injury. But critics may attribute his smooth run to the third round to a favorable draw. Henman's grass court game is fundamentally unsuited to clay, and he has never gone beyond this stage in Paris, but he nonetheless insists he has a chance against the bookies' favorite. "I'm looking forward to the game", he says, "I intend to go out there and have fun". Quite how much fun he will have should be apparent very early on.

Posted by nana at 3:57 AM

Pictures from round 2

Pic 1: Serve (FFT)
Pic 2: Waiting (FFT)
Pic 3: Slide (FFT)
Pic 4: Backhand (Reuters)
Pic 5: Return (AP)
Pic 6: Kiss (BBC)
Pic 7: Kiss #2 (Getty Images)
small pic

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Interview Day 4 - Juan Carlos Ferrero
JC def N. Massu 6-2, 3-0 [ret. ankle]

Q. An easy day for you, relatively anyway. You thought he would be a very tough opponent, but he has the injury. What are you thinking? You get an extra day's rest.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I think it's very bad luck for him, but good luck for me because it's one less match, one easy match for me. Third round, playing only four sets; three in the first match, two in the second. You know, I think was great for me today.

Q. How are you specifically a better player today than you were during the French Open final a year ago?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Today? In the final, I had a lot of problems, you know, shoulder, abductors, my ankle. Today I was physically very good. I mean in tennis, there in the final, I was playing so good. Today I'm playing so good, as well. The difference was physically, only physically.

Q. Technically are you the same player?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I improving my serve. I improve a lot with my serve. I think I have more experience in the court in difficult moment, in special moments. I think it's very important.

Q. Are there players that you sometimes think, "That's the guy I want to play," big match at a Grand Slam? If so, who would that player be?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Agassi is one of these. I think Kuerten is also a guy that I want to beat in clay court. Maybe here because always he won me here in semifinals. I think these two players are the guys I want to beat.

Q. Is it because you want to see how your game matches up against one of the greats?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I know how is my game against that people because I played a lot of times against them. I don't have to play against to see how is my game.

Q. Do you consider a player like Coria as a big challenge this year?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yeah. He's playing so good. I played against him in Monte-Carlo. He did the final. He won Hamburg. He's in a great form right now. I think he's going to stay in the Top 10 for a long time. He plays good in all surface.

Q. It will either be Tim Henman or Todd Martin, two very experienced players in the next round.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yeah.

Q. Size them up for us.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: It doesn't matter for me, you know. Tim, I think he improve a lot in clay court. Todd Martin, there is the guy that has a lot of experience here or anywhere. So is going to be a tough match today against both players.
MODERATOR: Questions in Spanish, please.

Q. (In Portuguese.)

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: To play in the second court is all right, there's nothing wrong with it. But I think many people were not able to see this match. I didn't really realize until the end there were many people outside who could not get in. It would have been in it had it been in a bigger court.
The only thing I am sorry about is that all the fans were not able to see the match.

Q. Today was a free advance in the tournament.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yes, it was.

Posted by nana at 4:04 AM

Juan Carlos barely raises a sweat
from Roland Garros official website

Third seeded Juan Carlos Ferrero moved swiftly into the third round early Thursday, after his opponent, Chilean Nicolas Massu retired injured during their encounter on Court Two.

2002 finalist Fererro, one of the big threats for this year's singles title, had forged a comfortable 6-2 3-0 lead before Massu called it a day. The 23-year-old Chilean sprained his left ankle during his first round win over Magnus Norman and it had failed to heal in time for today's match.

Despite pounding down 12 winners (including five aces) to Ferrero's nine in the opening stages of the match, the big-serving Massu played low percentage tennis during his 42 minutes on court. He failed to back up his ferocious first serve (the fastest of which clocked 197km/h) with consistent play from the baseline. A telling 28 unforced errors (to the Spaniard's eight) sealed his fate.

Ferrero has reached the semi finals or better in each of his four appearances at Roland-Garros. His record on clay this year now stands at an imposing 23-2.

Needless to say, the man they nicknamed 'Mosquito' because of his speed and physique stands ready to sting the winner of the clash between veterans Tim Henman and Todd Martin in the third round.

Match Facts

Fererro's career record on clay now stands at 116-27.
Ferrero's winning percentage on his first serve was 90%.
Ferrero converted four of six break points.

Posted by nana at 3:52 AM

Day Four Preview
By Guillaume Baraise

[.....]

Juan Carlos Ferrero is most people's tip for the tournament, especially since Federer's early exit. The Spaniard has been in imperious form this year on clay, and would have started as out-and-out favorite for his match with Chilean Nicolas Massu even before the latter picked up an ankle injury in his first round win over Swede Magnus Norman. It remains to be seen whether the South American even manages to turn up for this one, but if his ankle recovers he will pose Ferrero problems. He won in Buenos Aires last year and was a member of the Chilean team that memorably lifted the ATP World Team Championship trophy just last week in Buenos Aires. Massu and fellow countryman Fernando Gonzalez have successfully taken over the mantle from their illustrious predecessor Marcelo Rios. Gonzalez meets a member of the Spanish armada, Albert Portas, in an intriguing match-up between two fine exponents of the clay court art.

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Day 4: Thursday, 29 May Schedule of Play

COURT 2 11:00 AM Start [Court 2 again!!]
1. Men's Singles - 2nd Rnd. - Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP)[3] vs. Nicolas Massu (CHI)

[Some news sources have said that Massu will forfeit the match due to ankle injury]

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Beyond the Baseline: Juan Carlos Ferrero
ATPTennis.com

The ATP this week begins a new series featuring the personalities behind the players of the ATP circuit.

2002 in Review
I think I played very well, from January to the end of the year because when I started the year I had a few injuries and I could not play Australia and some tournaments in the beginning. But I think finally I played very well, reaching the final of the Masters Cup and finishing No.4.

Greatest victory in 2002
Maybe Monte-Carlo. I played the final in Roland Garros but I could not win, so I think the greatest victory for me was in Monte-Carlo.

Greatest victory in my career
The Davis Cup was the most important one for me and for Spain.

Goals for 2003
If I am not No.1, I would like to be in the top five and to try and win one Grand Slam because I have played two big finals but I could not win. I try to improve mentally. It is tough to be positive the whole year because the year is very long.

My coach (Antonio Martinez)
My coach is very normal. I have been practicing with him since I was nine years old so I have been with him a long time. I know him a long time; he's a happy person and it's easy to travel with him.

Other sports
I am not sure but before I started playing tennis I was playing soccer; I liked it so much and I think I played well. I was playing in my home city team. Motorbikes, rallies, soccer. I like Real Madrid and I like skiing.

What I like about tennis
When I go to the court I enjoy seeing the people cheering me in the big stadiums.

Strongest part of my game
For me it is mentally because if I feel well mentally I am going to play well. I think it is not only for me but the same for all the other players.

Toughest opponent
There are a lot of difficult players. Maybe Marat Safin.

Ideal dinner guest
My girlfriend

Favorite music
I like everything: rock, hip hop, Spanish music, U2, J-Lo. I like Eminem.

What makes me happy
To win some matches, spend some time with my family because we are often apart, to go to watch soccer, Real Madrid. To watch motorbikes and rallies because it is different from tennis.

Life after tennis
I am not thinking of this now but maybe I will work in my Academy in Spain to try and help young guys growing up and bringing or giving some money to help all these people.

Best part about playing tennis
You are working in something that you love and also you win money and the most important thing is that you are doing the work that you like.

How I would describe myself
The same as always: the money does not change me, the travel does not change me, the victories do not change me. I am the same person as 10 years ago, so people see me as the same person as before. I think that people see me as a normal person, that I am a good guy, not only on the court but out of the court.

Rising stars
There are some guys coming up very quickly, like [Richard] Gasquet, like [Paul-Henri] Mathieu. It is good for tennis; people like to see new faces coming up and playing well like Safin, me or Hewitt a few years ago.

Tournament I would most like to win
I would like to do well in the Australian Open and also Indian Wells, Miami and the US Open. Last year I could not play Australia. I played in the US Open and Miami and I could not play my high level.

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One more picture from round 1

Posted by nana at 2:20 AM

from Eurosport.com

Third seed Juan Carlos Ferrero showed no first round nerves against Switzerland's Michel Kratochvil, easing through to the next stage in straight sets. The Spanish baseliner, who is regarded as the biggest threat to Andre Agassi and Lleyton Hewitt, faces Chilean Nicolas Massu - conqueror of Magnus Norman - in the second round.

"I went to see a fortune-teller and he told me it was going to be my year," said the third-seeded Spaniard.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Pictures from JC's first round match (Yahoo! Sports and Roland Garros Official site)

Pic 1: Backhand
Pic 2: Return
Pic 3: Forehand
Pic 4: Serve
Pic 5: Another serve
Pic 6

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Roland Garros first round

Ferrero (ESP) def Kratochvil (SUI) 7-5, 7-5, 6-4

1st Serve % 48 of 95 = 51 % 66 of 114 = 58 %
Aces 6 3
Double Faults 5 2
Unforced Errors 64 81
Winning % on 1st Serve 35 of 48 = 73 % 41 of 66 = 62 %
Winning % on 2nd Serve 26 of 47 = 55 % 25 of 48 = 52 %
Winners (Including Service) 25 29
Break Point Conversions 6 of 13 = 46 % 3 of 4 = 75 %
Net Approaches 3 of 6 = 50 % 14 of 26 = 54 %
Total Points Won 109 100
Fastest Serve 186 km/h 189 km/h
Average 1st Serve Speed 166 km/h 165 km/h
Average 2nd Serve Speed 140 km/h 134 km/h

Posted by nana at 11:09 PM

Day 2: Tuesday, 27 May Schedule of Play

COURT 2 11:00 AM Start
1. Women's Singles - 1st Rnd. Angelika Roesch (GER) vs. Jelena Dokic (YUG)[10]
2. Men's Singles - 1st Rnd. Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP)[3] vs. Michel Kratochvil (SUI)
3. Women's Singles - 1st Rnd. Tatiana Golovin (FRA) vs. Elena Bovina (RUS)[20]
4. Men's Singles - 1st Rnd. Richard Gasquet (FRA) vs. Nicolas Lapentti (ECU)

Posted by nana at 1:46 AM

Roland Garros Main Draw

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Top Flight: Contenders Residing In Top Half Of Roland Garros Men's Draw
By Richard Pagliaro

Life may be lonely at the top, unless you're residing in the top half of the Roland Garros men's draw where sweeping through the semifinals will be as easy as swiping the smile off the Mona Lisa's face. The top half of the men's draw is cluttered with capable contenders for the clay court championship, that begins on Monday in Paris.

[...]

French Open finalist Juan Carlos Ferrero may be seeded third, but remains the primary pick to seize the first Slam of his career. Ferrero, who faces Swiss Michel Kratochvil in the first round, could play either 2000 tournament runner-up Magnus Norman or Nicolas Massu in the second round. Ferrero's first test could come in the fourth round with a potential match with either 20th-seeded Spaniard Felix Mantilla, the reigning Rome champion, or 14th-seeded French man Sebastien Grosjean, who was a quarterfinalist last year and a semifinalist two years ago.

Should Ferrero advance to the quarterfinals as expected, he would likely play either sixth-seeded Andy Roddick or 19th-seeded Fernando Gonzalez for a semifinal spot against an assortment of possible contenders including Kuerten, Hewitt, Calleri or Costa.

Though the top half offers top-flight talent, it's tough to bet against Ferrero. The owner of a 16-3 record at Roland Garros, Ferrero has reached at least the semifinals in all three of his career appearances in Paris. Barring injury, he's the best bet to reach his second straight final.

[...]

Posted by nana at 2:20 AM

French Open | Men's seeds
BBC Sport

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO
No.3 seed

FACTFILE

DOB: 02.12.1980
Nationality: Spanish
World ranking: 3
Roland Garros record
2002:: runner-up
2001:: semi-final
2000:: semi-final
1999:: -

The 23-year-old Spanish number one has been a powerful force at the French Open in recent years and is sure to be one of the favourites this time out.

He reached the final at Roland Garros last year, losing in four sets to compatriot Albert Costa, and won through to the semi-finals in the previous two years.

His powerful baseline game is best suited to clay, where he has enjoyed his best results, but he has proven increasingly adept on other surfaces.

This was vividly illustrated at last year's Masters Cup in Shanghai, where Ferrero was beaten in a thrilling five-set final by world number one Lleyton Hewitt.

A second successive title in the prestigious Monte Carlo event in April showed he is in fine form, and Ferrero was quick to highlight the French Open as his major aim for the year.

But an injury sustained in Rome meant he was forced out of the Hamburg Masters and could be the biggest barrier between Ferrero and the title.

Posted by nana at 12:56 PM

Who's who at "the French"
By Eric Salliot
Roland Garros official site

The European clay court season comes to a close in Paris with the French Open Championships. On the men's and women's circuit alike, certain youngsters have come to prominence this Spring while other established players have given us a glimpse of what they are capable. We take a look back at the last two months of clay court competition.

Fancied stars
Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero is the man tipped by many to win the men's singles title in Paris in 2003. On the back of his two victories this Spring (Monte-Carlo and Valencia) Ferrero comes to Paris to erase the painful memory of his final defeat to compatriot Albert Costa in 2002. If the injury to his right arm has indeed healed, he'll be looking to at least make the semis for the fourth year in a row.

[....]

Posted by nana at 3:48 AM

Wide open Open
Eurosport

Favourites: Ferrero, Coria, Moya

Hot on their heels: Federer, Calleri

Sly dogs in waiting: Agassi, Safin

Best of the rest: Gaudio, Mantilla, Kuerten

Posted by nana at 2:37 AM

One more picture from JC's match against Federer in TMS Roma

Pic: JC waving while leaving the court

Posted by nana at 2:44 AM

The Super Swiss Versus the Mighty Mantilla

Roger Federer advanced to the final of the Telecom Italia Masters Roma, after Juan Carlos Ferrero retired with the Swiss leading 6-2, 4-2 in their semifinal match.

The Federer-Ferrero showdown brought together two of the world's best clay court players in the high-profile stage of a Tennis Masters Series event, but Ferrero couldn't finish the match as inflammation in his right arm worsened. Ferrero injured his right arm in Valencia, and because of the injury the Spaniard pulled out of the Tennis Masters Hamburg which starts Monday.

WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID

Federer: "I was disappointed with the way the match ended but now I feel good to be in a (Tennis) Masters Series final. I won in Hamburg last year and I really want to win this title too."

"I saw him having treatment, you know, last few days. I knew his shoulder wasn't good. I mean, you see him in the treatment room and all this but, you know, you never know how bad it really is. It can just be prevention or all this kind of stuff."

Ferrero: On the injury
"It had begun when I was playing Valencia. Today it was hurting a little bit. Then when I was serving, it hurt, a kind of sting in my arm. That's when I knew it was getting worse."

"It's nothing serious, but it's hurting. It's an inflammation of 6 millimeters in my arm. I think because I've been traveling a lot and playing a lot of matches in a row, maybe I need some rest."
------------------------------------------

Pictures from AFP, Reuters and TMS Roma official site

Pic 1: Forehand
Pic 2: Getting medical attention
Pic 3: Talking to Roger
Pic 4: Shaking hands with Federer
Pic 5: Handshake #2
Pic 6: Shaking hands with chair umpire (in the background)
Pic 7: Waving
Pic 8: Leaving the court
Pic 9: Walking away
Pic 10: Older pic from Schuettler match
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Italian Prankster Spells Ends for Sore Ferrero in Rome

ROME (Reuters) - The combined forces of fourth seed Roger Federer and an Italian prankster proved too much for Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero, who retired from his Rome Masters semi-final on Saturday when losing 6-2, 4-2.

The match between Ferrero, winner of 21 out of 22 clay-court encounters this year, and Federer, who has only lost one set in nine matches on clay in 2003, had been eagerly awaited.

Number two seed Ferrero was serving to level the second set at 3-3 when Federer approached the umpire to question a late line call.

That proved the cue for Gabriele Paolini -- known as the prophylactic prophet -- to leap from his seat at the side of the court and throw condoms at the players.

Paolini has disrupted other events using the same tactic as he tries to publicize the use of condoms after one of his friends died of Aids.

After several minutes security guards led Paolini from the court amid chants from the crowd of "imbecile," but Ferrero's concentration was broken and Federer won the next two points to break serve for a 4-2 lead.

In the following game Ferrero threw in the towel, citing an inflammation of his shoulder.

Posted by nana at 12:09 AM

More pictures from JC's quarterfinal match against Schuettler and one from his second round match

Pic 1: Sexy in black
Pic 2: Waving
Pic 3: Victory over Corretja

--------------------------

WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID

Ferrero: "At 5-1 and set ball [in the first set], it was incredible then to be 5-4 and 15-all. I had to concentrate because it was very difficult to be 5-4 after 5-1."

About meeting Federer
"Tomorrow is gonna be difficult. He won Hamburg last year, so he played very well on clay last year. He's playing right now very good also because he came from Munich, winning a tournament. I'm going to try to play very aggressive all the time, try to return his big serve. And, as you know, it's the first time we're going to meet on clay, so we have to see what's happen."

Federer about meeting Ferrero:
"I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be a really tough battle. I think it's a match-up that everybody hoped for. So I'm looking forward to it, too."

"What can I say. He's been playing good, I've been playing great. We both have confidence, so it should be a good match tomorrow. I'll give it my best shot. I'll try to play my game, which means mix it up and use my serve and come to the net maybe a little bit more than I did the last few matches, and hopefully I can give him a really tough match tomorrow."

---------------------------

18:55 : Next for Ferrero is the other hot player of the moment Roger Federer. It should be a great one!

18:54 : Ferrero claims semi-final birth beating Schuettler without playing his best tennis.

18:47 : It's Ferrero who's got the break as Schuettler made two big unforced errors

18:44 : The match is now close and if Schuettler serves well he'll be able to win the second set

18:43 : Schuettler is more relaxed and Ferrero seems very angry with himself losing a big opportunity to break the German

18:32 : Ferrero seems a little tired. Afterall he did play a 2 and half hours match to overcome Argentine's Gaston Gaudio and is now playing his 9th straight match.

18:10 : Ferrero ties his game and wins the first set

18:04 : The game has no rythme and it's Fererro's turn to make unforced errors which allow Schuettler to have a break back

17:55 : Schuettler has made 16 unforced errors which is just too much !

17:47 : Schuettler is not in the game right now, he's making too much unforced errors and Ferrero doesn't have to play his best tennis

17:37 : Ferrero breaks in the opening game as Schuettler played miserable first serves

17:35 : Start of the match between Ferrero and Schuettler

Posted by nana at 8:22 AM

JC def. Gaudio 5-7, 6-0, 6-2

Pic 1: JC in black from round 3
Pic 2: Return

Posted by nana at 4:47 PM

Pictures from Yahoo! Sports and Reuters

Pic 1: JC in white
Pic 2: Forehand
Pic 3: Backhand
Pic 4: Victory

---------------------------------

JC def Corretja 6-4, 6-4 in the second round of TMS Roma

19:27 : Ferrero will take on Gaston Gaudio in the last 16. The Argentine beat his compatriot Agustin Calleri 6-4 6-2.

19:26 : HE DOES IT! GAME SET AND MACTH for Ferrero after Corretja's return misses the baseline!! An incredible match between these two players!!!!

19:25 : Incredible forehand by Ferrero for match point!!

19:24 : 30-30 Ferrero forces Corretja to return poorly and net his shot!!

19:24 : 15-30 Ferrero fires and great ace

19:24 : 0-30 Corretja fires a brillaint forehand passing shot!! He is inspired

19:23 : 0-15 Ferrero's forehand return misses the line

19:21 : Corretja commits a horrible double fault in the worst possible moment to give Ferrero the game and a chance to serve for the match!!!!

19:19 : Corretja struggles to hold serve! He gives Ferrero a chance to break after make this huge effort to comeback on the score!!!

19:14 : Juan Carlos trying to be too clever puts the ball into the net after dropshoting Corretja. A lob volley was what was needed and he tamely put into the net... moments later it's TWO BREAK POINTS for Corretja... 4-4

19:11 : A terrible smash which is framed out of court and Ferrero is disgusted. At the changeover, CORRETJA 3-4, the young Spaniard holds his head in his towel

19:10 : That said he has yet to win it and Ferrero wins the next two after long rallies in which he forces Corretja around the court, hitting a lot of groundstrokes from two yards behind the baseline... 40-30

19:08 : A convincing service game and just what the doctor ordered for Corretja racing to the first three points for 40-0

19:05 : Ferrero comes through another stiff test with honour for 4-2... Corretja now serving in a 'must win' game

19:05 : Every game is keenly contested, although it appears Corretja is feeling the pace of the game more than Ferrero... the crowd clearly enjoy the encounter and appreciate the specialist play

19:04 : CORRETJA now with TWO BREAK POINTS to get back on serve in this match at 3-3... Ferrero hits the first serve in the net and his second serve is whacked away upon return... DEUCE... clinical play and the second seed drags Corretja out of the court with an angled serve... ADV FERRERO

18:58 : Corretja hangs in there and pumps his fist as a booming serve is returned into the net by Ferrero. 2-3

18:56 : A couple of wrong-footing groundstroke drives by Corretja and he has game point. But a framed shot puts pay to any game ambitions. Dangerous times

18:55 : Two smashes sees Corretja level for 30-30. Ferrero hit both attempted lobs unbelievably high and really tested Alex. The veteran is hanging in there, but Juan Carlos looks good for a sport in round three

18:52 : Using all the experience he has built up over the past four years Ferrero hits down four first serves and really makes Corretja play... The 29-year-old dripping with sweat is looking down the barrel of a gun at a set and 1-3 down

18:49 : Corretja's second serves are way too short and that is where his game is letting him down. Much to think about for him.

Ferrero will surely reach the final stages of Roland Garros on this form

18:48 : Attacking the Corretja second serve, Ferrero is putting his Davis Cup teammate under serious pressure. He sets up another BREAK POINT and is unwilling to give in easily. He wants to get off the court having won in two sets. FERRERO BREAKS for 2-1 with an excellent volley

18:45 : FERRERO gets another BREZK POINT... Corretja at 30-40... first serve drops out and the second serve is keenly contested... a clever dropshot by Alex and it's deuce

18:41 : An easy hold for Ferrero who is playing two yards behind the baseline and is charging down Corretja's angled shots with ease, as the veteran Spaniard heads for the net... 1-1

18:37 : He battles through to hold... CORRETJA 1-0!

18:35 : Corretja hangs in there and plays some clever dropshots to level to deuce again, but Ferrero seizes the initiative again, despite his fitness level dropping. ANOTHER BREAK POINT... Corretja finishes though with a fine backhand

18:32 : FERRERO starts as he did in the first set, putting Corretja under enormus pressure. TWO BREAK POINTS for the second seed!

18:27 : THREE SET POINTS in quick time. Ferrero has won ten points in a row now... an ACE and the FIRST SET goes the way of the second seed. 6-4

18:24 : Ferrero breaks Corretja's serve on his first opportunity at just the right time in the match... 5-4

18:20 : This set is of real high standards, in play and sportsmanship, in quality and desire. Neither want to lose and Corretja wants to prove a point to this year's "King on Clay" Juan-Carlos Ferrero... they hold their serves and it's 4-4, with another keenly contested game to come

18:10 : CORRETJA takes his second BREAK POINT and mixes back court play with fine volleying to surprise his Spanish friend. 3-3

18:04 : Struggling again... Ferrero is unwilling to give in. Once again the game goes to deuce and both players are having to execute clever shots. The pair know each others game so well. Corretja aces for 2-3

17:58 : Ferrero and Corretja are slugging out now... but the serve holds and maitains the break 3-1

17:52 : CORRETJA BREAK POINT... a chance to break the Ferrero serve and get back into this match immediately... Juan Carlos drop shots to win and get back to deuce. Eight first round losses this year has hardly helped Alex's confidence

17:47 : An easy hold ironically for Ferrero for 1-1 and then four points in a role leaves Corretja reeling. The second seed leads 2-1

17:41 : A 14 point game... eight minutes long. Coretja holds for 1-0

17:39 : An exhausting opening game for both player and spectator. Ferrero is making life terribly difficult as the Corretja service game see-saws from deuce to advantage

17:35 : Danger for Corretja he gifts his friend and Spanish Davis Cup teammate a BREAK POINT!

17:33 : Corretja to open up...

17:27 : The pair begin their warm-up... the court is covered in shadow as the sun hides behind the clouds... minutes from beginning

17:23 : The "King of Clay" this year walks out onto the court with Corretja, for the start of their second round match

Posted by nana at 3:35 AM

Photos from Yahoo! Sports and Official ATP Site

Pic 1: Stretch
Pic 2: Forehand
Pic 3: Fist pump

----------------------

Ferrero defuses the Scud, Moya eases through at Rome Masters

ROME (AFP) - Spanish number two seed Juan Carlos Ferrero, widely regarded as the favourite for the French Open later this month, was pushed all the way before defeating Mark Philippoussis in a tricky first round match here at the Rome Masters clay court event.

Winner of ATP titles this year in Monaco and Valencia, Ferrero eventually tamed Philippoussis' big serve to beat the giant Australian 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 and set up a last 16 clash against Spaniard Alex Corretja.

Off to a career best start to the season, Ferrero was made to work hard for his 18th win of the season against a player whose career has been plagued by knee injuries.

Ferrero ducked questions about Roland Garros, saying he hadn't thought that far ahead.

"When I arrive in Paris I will start thinking about the French Open," he said.

"This is an important tournament for me and we have seen how tough it is with Andre Agassi going out yesterday. I'm focusing on this one right now."

[..........]

---------------------------------

JC def Philippoussis 7-6 (7-3), 6-4 in the first round. Next he will play Corretja.

18:44 : Ferrero continues to dominate on the red surface!!!! Great performance!!!!

18:44 : Ferrero holds his nerve and plays Philippoussis around teh court to set up for the kill! He trounces a nice crossed forehand to wrap it up and advance!

18:43 : But he nets just after to give the Spaniard another match point!

18:42 : Philippoussis launches a massive second serve for DEUCE!

18:41 : In a crucial shot, Philippoussis' return is long giving Ferrero a first match point!!!

18:37 : Ferrero is just one game away from a second round birth! but he ONLY has to break Philippoussis! Easy task!!

18:34 : Another stressful game for both players!! Ferrero had two break points that Philippoussis bravely pushed away holding his serve!

18:32 : Philippoussis sets up his shots and produces a very subtle drop shot that Ferrero can't reach! DEUCE

18:31 : Ferrero puts the pressure on Philippoussis and it pays off achieving a break point!

18:27 : It's still a very tight match at the Foro Italico!! Ferrero is still in the lead but Philippoussis is up to serve!

18:19 : Ferrero closes the fifth game of the second set with a strong ace! 3-2 for the Spaniard!

18:17 : This set looks a lot like the first one! Neither player has been able to find a way to outplay the other!!

18:11 : Strong game by Ferrero with thunderous serves and precise shots

18:08 : Philippoussis charges to win his service game!

18:05 : After a series of deuces and hard fought points Philippoussis nest his return and Ferrero finally grasps his opening service game of the set!

18:01 : Ferrero saves it and Philippoussis falters on his return giving the advantage to Ferrero.

18:01 : But The Scud produces a staggering passing shot that leave Ferrero still!!!

18:00 : Ferrero magnificently saves the other one catching Mark wrong footed forcing him to make a sloppy return!

17:59 : Ferrero saves the first one as Philippoussis nets his return

17:59 : Philippoussis strikes back by gaining a couple of break points!

17:57 : The second set is underway!!

17:54 : 7-3 For Ferrero his strong serve forces Philippoussis into the error

17:53 : 6-3 Ferrero, triple set point! The Scud's shot is slighlty long!

17:52 : 5-3 Ferrero Philippoussis' return flies away.

17:52 : 4-3 Ferrero! The Scud nets his return!

17:51 : 3-3 As Ferrero forces Philippoussis out of the court to get a wide open shot!

17:50 : 3-2 Philippousis, he overpowers his forehand a bit!

17:49 : 3-1 Philippoussis! Ferrero's backhand is long

17:48 : 2-1 Philippoussis!

17:48 : 2-0 Philippoussis with a solid return bu the Aussie

17:47 : 1-0 Philippoussis after missed lob by the Spaniard.

17:46 : It's TIE BREAKER TIME!!!!

17:46 : Ferrero holds his serve after a set of solid groundstrokes!!

17:43 : Ferrero managed to go up 0-30 but Philippoussis blasted away a couple of powerful shots to stop Ferrero's charge and hold his serve!

17:38 : This set is going straight into a tie breaker, it seems!!!!

17:36 : Still no break point conversions!!! Ferrero is in great shape wiht a solid baseline game!!!

17:30 : Philippoussis and Ferrero continue to challenge each other and can't seem to squeeze in a break! Strong groundstrokes from Philippoussis and well placed shots by Ferrero!

17:23 : Another massive serve by Philippoussis at 220km/hr

17:22 : Ferrero continues with his tactic and calmly grasp this service game to level the score!

17:18 : Another huge serve by the Scud gives him his serve!

17:18 : Thanks to his missile serve Philippoussis saves the breaks

17:17 : Ferrero romps to 15-40 and has a double break point!!

17:13 : Ferrero in having no trouble at all dealing with Philippoussis's massive power!

17:13 : Clinical play by Ferrero! Great job by getting his forehand into play!!! He levels the set to two all.

17:09 : 214 km/h in Philippoussis last serve!!!! INCREDIBLE! He is hitting the ball very hard and very fast!!! 220km/h to grasp his service game

17:06 : Ferrero answers back with a solid game!!

17:04 : A strong first game by Philippoussis with his particular scud like serve!!!

17:02 : The match is underway!! Philippoussis is serving first

16:55 : This is the fourth match up between the pair and Ferrero leads the series 2-1 and after his performance in clay this year his is the favourite but one can never tell how Philippoussis is going to play!

16:53 : A very challenging match awaits Ferrero against an unpredictable Philippoussis!!! Both players have entered the court and their will begin to warm up in a few moments.

Posted by nana at 2:55 AM

Ferrero Continues Clay Court Dominance in Spain
ATP Tennis

Top seed Juan Carlos Ferrero claimed the ninth ATP title of his career with a 6-2, 6-4 victory of Belgium's Christophe Rochus in the final of the CAM Open Comunidad Valenciana presented by Onofre.

Ferrero, who moves up to second position in the ATP Champions Race 2003, captured his second title of the year (Tennis Masters Monte-Carlo) and is now 29-6 for the season with a 17-1 record on clay.

En route to the final, Ferrero defeated wild card Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, Albert Portas, Agustin Calleri and Brazil's Flavio Saretta without dropping a set.

[...]

What the Players Said:
Ferrero: "It was a very good match. I played very well and felt very comfortable on court. I didn't feel any danger during the match. I am always happy to win a tournament, but it is special to win one in Valencia. I like playing here.

"I am not that far away from becoming the No. 1 player in the world. The key will be whether I can play better and more consistently on hard courts. If I continue to play well in the European clay court season and then take that form to the hard courts in the United Sates, I could finish the year as the World No. 1.

"From here, I won't be getting much rest, but I am looking forward to playing Rome as it is one of the most important tournaments on the circuit. Normally, I wouldn't have played this week, but Valencia is an exception. I have been receiving treatment on my right arm all week for a minor injury, but it is not serious. With a day's rest, it should be fine."

Rochus: "It was my first final, but I was feeling okay before the match. I wasn't nervous. The beginning of a match is very important against a player of Ferrero's standard. It sets the rhythm of the match. I didn't start well. He broke my serve and I was immediately under pressure. I was trying to do too much with my shots, hoping to make a difference, but he was too good. I was a little bit lost and didn't know what to do. I consider Ferrero as the best player in the world on clay.

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Photo 1: Return

Photo 2: JC and trophy

Photo 3: With Rochus

Photo 4: With Rochus and trophys (small)

Photo 5: Victory!!!

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Ferrero beats Rochus in final
Associated Press

VALENCIA, Spain (AP) — World No. 3 Juan Carlos Ferrero was worried he might have overplayed himself Sunday after winning his second title in two weeks at the Valencia Open.

Ferrero exceeded expectations before his home crowd by beating 134th-ranked Christophe Rochus of Belgium 6-2, 6-4 in the final, not dropping a set all week, and improving his season record on clay to 17-1.

But Ferrero said his serving arm was hurting and he won't be 100 percent on Tuesday when he begins the Italian Open, where he'll vie with new No. 1 Andre Agassi for the title.

"I am really giving myself a beating," Ferrero said.

"I was lucky not to have any matches that went to three sets," he added. "This will leave me in better shape physically for next week."

Ferrero usually had this past week off. But this year Valencia started a tournament, and Ferrero added it to his workload.

He won the Monte Carlo Masters two weeks ago and reached the semifinals in Barcelona last weekend. He heads to Rome then the Hamburg Masters, giving him five straight weeks of tournament play before the French Open starts May 26.

Ferrero said he was on course to become the world's top-rated player, but still had some fine-tuning to do.

"I need to be more regular on hard-courts, but I am getting there," he said.

Rochus was appearing in his first career ATP final after a run of four consecutive first-round losses.

It was Ferrero's ninth career title and the 23-year-old Spaniard earned $US61,700.

Posted by nana at 12:52 AM

WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID

Ferrero: "It was a hard match. The first set was very equal with some long rallies, but I played the important points well. There were quite a few games where I was down 15-30, but managed to hold. When I secured a break early in the second set things got much easier from there. I think I played well overall."

On playing Christophe Rochus
"I played against Rochus in the Davis Cup and beat him easily. I am going to have that match in the back of my mind and I hope to repeat the result tomorrow. It is going to be a great feeling to be playing a final in Valencia and I hope a lot of people will continue to come and support me."

Saretta: "I knew I was going to have to fight as hard if not harder than yesterday to win the match. When I lost the first set, I sensed it was going to be tough to win two more sets. My will to keep fighting hard was tested when he broke my serve in the second set. Every game was intense. With Ferrero, there are no free points."

Rochus on playing Juan Carlos Ferrero:
"I think I would have had more chances to beat Saretta, but to play Ferrero in the final is truly a gift. I am going to be playing the best clay court player in the world right now in my first final. For sure, if Ferrero is playing at 100 percent, I won't have a chance. Perhaps if he is playing at 90 or 95 percent and I'm playing at my best, I'll beat him."

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Local boy done good
Ferrero reaches final of hometown Valencia Open

VALENCIA, Spain (Reuters) -- Top-seeded Juan Carlos Ferrero overpowered Brazil's Flavio Saretta 7-6 6-2 to reach the final of his hometown tournament on Saturday.

Ferrero edged the first set 7-3 on the tie-break and clinched victory by reeling off four games from 2-2 in the second.

The Spaniard's reward will be a final against Christophe Rochus after the Belgian continued his unexpected run with a 6-3 6-2 success against Fernando Vicente.

"When it really mattered I played good tennis and that took me into the final," Ferrero said.

Ferrero beat Rochus in straight sets when they met in the Davis Cup this year and the world No. 3 will be confident of another win over the Belgian, who came to Valencia without a win since the Australian Open in January.

"I did beat Rochus easily last time," Ferrero noted. "I hope the crowd continue to give me plenty of support against him in the final."

If Rochus, who has never won on the ATP tour, can find the same fluent form he displayed against Vicente, Ferrero may not have things all his own way in the final.

[...]

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After some confusion we finally figured out that JC def. Saretta in straight sets 7-6 (3), 6-2. LOL =) He now advances to the finals against C. Rochus (Bel)

Picture 1: Return
Picture 2: Victory

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Main Draw for TMS Roma is Out.
JC faces a qualifier in the first round and then there's a possible clash with Kuerten (again) and either Safin or Federer in the Semis (if he gets that far).

Main Draw Singles
TMS Roma Official Site

Posted by nana at 1:47 AM

WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID
ATP Tennis

Ferrero: "It was a well fought match. There were many breaks of serve and some long exchanges. I was able to put some big serves in and, to be honest, I was playing well. I have now reached at least the semifinals for three consecutive weeks and all I can think about is the title."

"Mentally, I am feeling very strong. Maybe there are patches when the level of my tennis drops, but my game is there."

On his next opponent:
"Gaudio is always a tough competitor. He was on the verge of beating me in Monte-Carlo. As for Saretta, I have only seen him practicing. He hits the ball hard."

Calleri: "I knew it was going to be difficult. Ferrero is the best player in the world right now on clay. I felt I played well from the baseline. If I would have made more first serves, the outcome could have been different. Off my second serve, he was attacking me and taking the initiative. If Ferrero maintains his current form, he should definitely win the tournament."

"From here, I am going to Rome. I will be playing with a lot of confidence and I expect to get very far. It depends largely on the draw. I could meet a Ferrero in the first round or two."

Saretta on playing Ferrero: "Today I beat Gaudio, a better player than me, and Ferrero is even superior, but I will be playing with great confidence from today's match. I have nothing to lose and everything to win."

SATURDAY MATCHES

The question at this week's CAM Open Comunidad Valenciana is simple: Can Juan Carlos Ferrero be stopped?

The Spaniard appears to be in an invincible groove heading into the semifinals against unseeded Brazilian Flavio Saretta, who admits he has nothing to lose in Saturday's match. Not only has Ferrero not dropped a set this week. But he's now reached the semifinals at three back-to-back clay events, winning the Tennis Masters Monte-Carlo, then getting to the semifinals at Barcelona, where he lost to Marat Safin. Meanwhile, Saretta's best ATP result this year was a run to the quarterfinals in Delray Beach (l to Gambill). He also won two Challenger events this year in Bermuda and Sao Paulo.

This is the first meeting for the two players.

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Ferrero advances to Valencia semis

VALENCIA, Spain (Reuters) -- Juan Carlos Ferrero clinched a place in the Valencia Open semifinals with a gritty 6-3 6-4 victory over Agustin Calleri on Friday.

Ferrero, born just outside Valencia and the top seed at his home tournament, took a 2-0 lead at the start of the match only for the Argentine fifth seed to break back immediately.

Calleri lost his serve again in game six to fall 2-4 behind and this time there was no way back, as Ferrero served out for the set.

The two players exchanged breaks again early in the second set before Calleri was broken in game seven.

Ferrero consolidated with a love service game for a 5-3 lead and completed victory to book a semi-final against either Gaston Gaudio, another Argentine clay-court specialist, or Brazil's Flavio Saretta.

"You could see that either one of us could have won that game," Ferrero said after his victory over Calleri. "He came back very well after the breaks at the start of each set.

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Picture from JC's 2nd rd. match against Portas

Posted by nana at 1:00 AM

BURNING RUBBER…
ATP Insider

At the CAM Open Comunidad in Valencia, top seed JUAN CARLOS FERRERO joined Spanish golfing star SERGIO GARCIA at the Circuito Ricardo Tornos, Valencia's famous racing track which played host to the World Superbike Championship in March 2003. The Valencian sports stars met at the circuit - which is located in Cheste about 20 kilometres from Valencia Capital - to race official cars of the tournament up to speeds of 190 kph on the twisty circuit. Joining them were MARKUS HIPFL, SARGIS SARGSIAN and wild card GUILLERMO GARCIA-LOPEZ, along with tournament director MIGUEL MAESO and Ferrero's coach ANTONIO MARTINEZ.

"One of my greatest passions apart from tennis is speed," said Ferrero. "Normally, I can't find the time to get to a race track. It was a great experience to go out there and test the cars and the circuit. Pushing myself and driving at extreme speeds actually relaxes me on a tennis court."

[...]

After burning rubber on the track, they entered the circuit's clubhouse to sample the famous Valencian dish, seafood Piella.

Click for pictures

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Ferrero, Calleri advance at Valencia Open tennis

VALENCIA, Spain (Ticker) - Top seed Juan Carlos Ferrero continued his mastery on clay Thursday with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over fellow Spaniard Albert Portas in the second round of the $400,000 Valencia Open.

Ferrero improved his record on clay to 14-1 this season and reached the quarterfinals for the third straight week. He won his first title of the year at the Tennis Masters Series event in Monte Carlo two weeks ago and followed with a semifinal showing at Barcelona.

"I felt very comfortable in my last two matches," Ferrero said. "I view it as just one step further. I am not thinking about the final yet."

The 23-year-old Ferrero will face fifth seed Agustin Calleri of Argentina on Friday. Calleri held off Dominik Hrbaty of Slovakia, 6-1, 5-7, 6-2.

"Calleri will be difficult," Ferrero said. "He had a great claycourt season, reaching the semifinals last week in Barcelona, the final in Estoril and winning an important title in Acapulco earlier in the year."

Despite being two of the best claycourt players on tour, Ferrero and Calleri will be squaring off for the first time on Friday.

Posted by nana at 5:55 AM