Costa, Ferrero through, Hewitt out, Kuerten delayed By Nyree Epplett
Defending champion Albert Costa joined 2002 finalist Juan Carlos Ferrero in the fourth round on Saturday but top-seeded Lleyton Hewitt fell in five thrilling sets and three-time champion Gustavo Kuerten was left hanging at two sets up when play was suspended.
'Guga' led Argentinean Gaston Gaudio 7-6(1) 7-5 3-3 before play was suspended on Suzanne Lenglen Court at 9pm due to bad light.
Ferrero overcame a first set hiccup to push aside British No1 Tim Henman 4-6 6-2 6-4 6-2 in just under three hours on Court Philippe Chatrier.
In the 54-minute first set, the Brit surprised his opponent by dictating play with his stylish serve-volley game and breaking Ferrero's serve at 5-4 to close out the opener. But the 28-year-old veteran could not sustain his brave but draining onslaught in the humid Parisian heat.
Fererro slowed play down in the second set, playing patiently from the baseline and pummeling groundstrokes past the net-bound Henman when it counted (Henman won 37 of 60 points at the net).
Ferrero, who has one of the most commanding records on clay this season (24-2), smoked 59 winners on the red dirt during the match, but Henman's tenacity stopped him converting all but six of 18 break points.
"You know I feel frustrated because I lost a set against a grasscourt specialist…no I'm kidding!" joked Ferrero.
"Yes were all hungry to win, we all want to win as much as anybody else. We are coming close to a very critical time in this tournament," continued the Spaniard, who will meet countryman and No20 seed Felix Mantilla in the round of 16. Ferrero has beaten Mantilla in all of their previous encounters but refuses to count his chickens just yet.
[...]
------------------------------------------------------------
Pictures from Third Round match
Pic 1: One handed backhand (AP)
Pic 2: Backhand (AFP)
Pic 3: Backhand #2 (AP)
Pic 4: Forehand (AFP)
Pic 5: Fist pump (AFP)
Pic 6: Wave (AFP)
Pic 7: Stumble (BBC)
Pic 8: Return (BBC)
Pic 9: Thumbs up (Reuters)
Pic 10: Thumbs up #2 (AP)
Pic 11 Volley (Reuters)
Pic 12: Slide and smile (Reuters)
Pic 13: Serve (FFT)
Pic 14: Thanking crowd (AP)
Pic 15: (AP)
Pic 16: Handshake (BBC)
--------------------------------------------------------------
Ferrero (ESP) def Henman (GBR) 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2
1st Serve % 61 of 104 = 59 % 65 of 124 = 52 %
Aces 6 6
Double Faults 0 6
Unforced Errors 50 65
Winning % on 1st Serve 42 of 61 = 69 % 44 of 65 = 68 %
Winning % on 2nd Serve 30 of 43 = 70 % 26 of 59 = 44 %
Winners (Including Service) 59 52
Break Point Conversions 6 of 18 = 33 % 1 of 3 = 33 %
Net Approaches 11 of 22 = 50 % 37 of 60 = 62 %
Total Points Won 126 102
Fastest Serve 189 km/h 194 km/h
Average 1st Serve Speed 161 km/h 166 km/h
Average 2nd Serve Speed 138 km/h 134 km/h
[side note: Tommy defeated Hewitt in five sets 4-6, 1-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3!!! Vamos Tommy!!]
Defending champion Albert Costa joined 2002 finalist Juan Carlos Ferrero in the fourth round on Saturday but top-seeded Lleyton Hewitt fell in five thrilling sets and three-time champion Gustavo Kuerten was left hanging at two sets up when play was suspended.
'Guga' led Argentinean Gaston Gaudio 7-6(1) 7-5 3-3 before play was suspended on Suzanne Lenglen Court at 9pm due to bad light.
Ferrero overcame a first set hiccup to push aside British No1 Tim Henman 4-6 6-2 6-4 6-2 in just under three hours on Court Philippe Chatrier.
In the 54-minute first set, the Brit surprised his opponent by dictating play with his stylish serve-volley game and breaking Ferrero's serve at 5-4 to close out the opener. But the 28-year-old veteran could not sustain his brave but draining onslaught in the humid Parisian heat.
Fererro slowed play down in the second set, playing patiently from the baseline and pummeling groundstrokes past the net-bound Henman when it counted (Henman won 37 of 60 points at the net).
Ferrero, who has one of the most commanding records on clay this season (24-2), smoked 59 winners on the red dirt during the match, but Henman's tenacity stopped him converting all but six of 18 break points.
"You know I feel frustrated because I lost a set against a grasscourt specialist…no I'm kidding!" joked Ferrero.
"Yes were all hungry to win, we all want to win as much as anybody else. We are coming close to a very critical time in this tournament," continued the Spaniard, who will meet countryman and No20 seed Felix Mantilla in the round of 16. Ferrero has beaten Mantilla in all of their previous encounters but refuses to count his chickens just yet.
[...]
------------------------------------------------------------
Pictures from Third Round match
Pic 1: One handed backhand (AP)
Pic 2: Backhand (AFP)
Pic 3: Backhand #2 (AP)
Pic 4: Forehand (AFP)
Pic 5: Fist pump (AFP)
Pic 6: Wave (AFP)
Pic 7: Stumble (BBC)
Pic 8: Return (BBC)
Pic 9: Thumbs up (Reuters)
Pic 10: Thumbs up #2 (AP)
Pic 11 Volley (Reuters)
Pic 12: Slide and smile (Reuters)
Pic 13: Serve (FFT)
Pic 14: Thanking crowd (AP)
Pic 15: (AP)
Pic 16: Handshake (BBC)
--------------------------------------------------------------
Ferrero (ESP) def Henman (GBR) 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2
1st Serve % 61 of 104 = 59 % 65 of 124 = 52 %
Aces 6 6
Double Faults 0 6
Unforced Errors 50 65
Winning % on 1st Serve 42 of 61 = 69 % 44 of 65 = 68 %
Winning % on 2nd Serve 30 of 43 = 70 % 26 of 59 = 44 %
Winners (Including Service) 59 52
Break Point Conversions 6 of 18 = 33 % 1 of 3 = 33 %
Net Approaches 11 of 22 = 50 % 37 of 60 = 62 %
Total Points Won 126 102
Fastest Serve 189 km/h 194 km/h
Average 1st Serve Speed 161 km/h 166 km/h
Average 2nd Serve Speed 138 km/h 134 km/h
[side note: Tommy defeated Hewitt in five sets 4-6, 1-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3!!! Vamos Tommy!!]
