Schedule of Play -- Day 10: Wednesday, 4 June
CHATRIER 12 PM Start
1. Men's Singles - Qtr. Finals Tommy Robredo (ESP)[28] vs. Albert Costa (ESP)[9]
followed by:
2. Men's Singles - Qtr. Finals Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP)[3] vs. Fernando Gonzalez (CHI)[19]
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Fererro v Gonzalez: Hold onto your hats! By Georges Homsi
Fernando 'Speedy' Gonzalez may not be a household name, but his awesome displays of explosive hitting have certainly left an indelible impression on all those who have seen him in action so far at Roland-Garros. And who knows - if the Chilean keeps on slugging away with the unerring precision and power he has shown to date, he might even trouble the favourite for this year's French Open, Juan-Carlos Ferrero in Wednesday's quarter final. Finalist last year, the Spaniard has been in imperious form so far, able to perform well within himself and still stroll to the last eight.
CURRENT FORM
Ever since he saved a match point against Olivier Mutis in the Hamburg Masters Series, Fernando Gonzalez has been a man transformed. His newfound self-confidence has enabled him to unleash his frightening forehand to devastating effect at Roland-Garros. Spaniard Albert Portas has been the only player courageous enough to take a set off the man with the ballistic forehand – and he was soon punished for his impudence. Monday's quickfire destruction of fighting Finn Jarkko Nieminen was particularly impressive, especially as it was Gonzalez' first appearance on Philippe Chatrier Court.
Juan Carlos Ferrero, meanwhile, continues on his merry way. These past few years the early rounds here have tended to resemble exhibition matches for the third seed, and so it has proved again this year. Winner in Monte-Carlo for the second consecutive year, the clay court supremo had to withdraw from Rome to rest his shoulder – a cautionary move that certainly seems to have paid off so far. As usual, the ball has been disappearing to all corners from his trademark forehand. Felix Mantilla, a clay court specialist himself was dismissed in the last round, and Ferrero has only lost one set all tournament, to Tim Henman in a match where he was rarely troubled.
STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES
To play Fernando 'Speedy' Gonzalez is to subject your tennis racket to a thrashing and a half - if you get anywhere near the ball that is. Give him a bit of room to wind up that forehand and more likely than not you'll be watching the ball fizz past you before you can move an inch. His serve is equally frightening – even his second delivery, which he tends to hit hard at the expense of the odd double fault here and there. His backhand can sizzle too, but is a less reliable weapon than his forehand. Like all court bullies, Gonzalez needs large doses of confidence to dish out his punishment – and that has certainly been the case these past few weeks – so the key to success for Ferrero lies in instilling an element of self-doubt into his game.
Ferrero's lesson in tennis, handed out free of charge to Felix Mantilla in the quarter final, had most observers shaking their heads in admiration. His game was near-perfection; a subtle blend of quick feet, impeccable shot selection and tactical awareness. His topspin drive is a joy to watch and nightmare to play, his drop shot so well disguised it dies on opponents before they have time to move. Coach Antonio Martinez has his man perfectly focussed and primed for a serious assault on the title. Gonzalez, despite all his power and gusto should succumb.
PREVIOUS ENCOUNTERS: GONZALEZ 2-0
2002 US Open (hard) 3R GONZALEZ 6-4 6-4 6-4
2002 Basle (indoor) Semi final GONZALEZ 6-4 4-6 6-1
CHATRIER 12 PM Start
1. Men's Singles - Qtr. Finals Tommy Robredo (ESP)[28] vs. Albert Costa (ESP)[9]
followed by:
2. Men's Singles - Qtr. Finals Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP)[3] vs. Fernando Gonzalez (CHI)[19]
------------------------------------
Fererro v Gonzalez: Hold onto your hats! By Georges Homsi
Fernando 'Speedy' Gonzalez may not be a household name, but his awesome displays of explosive hitting have certainly left an indelible impression on all those who have seen him in action so far at Roland-Garros. And who knows - if the Chilean keeps on slugging away with the unerring precision and power he has shown to date, he might even trouble the favourite for this year's French Open, Juan-Carlos Ferrero in Wednesday's quarter final. Finalist last year, the Spaniard has been in imperious form so far, able to perform well within himself and still stroll to the last eight.
CURRENT FORM
Ever since he saved a match point against Olivier Mutis in the Hamburg Masters Series, Fernando Gonzalez has been a man transformed. His newfound self-confidence has enabled him to unleash his frightening forehand to devastating effect at Roland-Garros. Spaniard Albert Portas has been the only player courageous enough to take a set off the man with the ballistic forehand – and he was soon punished for his impudence. Monday's quickfire destruction of fighting Finn Jarkko Nieminen was particularly impressive, especially as it was Gonzalez' first appearance on Philippe Chatrier Court.
Juan Carlos Ferrero, meanwhile, continues on his merry way. These past few years the early rounds here have tended to resemble exhibition matches for the third seed, and so it has proved again this year. Winner in Monte-Carlo for the second consecutive year, the clay court supremo had to withdraw from Rome to rest his shoulder – a cautionary move that certainly seems to have paid off so far. As usual, the ball has been disappearing to all corners from his trademark forehand. Felix Mantilla, a clay court specialist himself was dismissed in the last round, and Ferrero has only lost one set all tournament, to Tim Henman in a match where he was rarely troubled.
STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES
To play Fernando 'Speedy' Gonzalez is to subject your tennis racket to a thrashing and a half - if you get anywhere near the ball that is. Give him a bit of room to wind up that forehand and more likely than not you'll be watching the ball fizz past you before you can move an inch. His serve is equally frightening – even his second delivery, which he tends to hit hard at the expense of the odd double fault here and there. His backhand can sizzle too, but is a less reliable weapon than his forehand. Like all court bullies, Gonzalez needs large doses of confidence to dish out his punishment – and that has certainly been the case these past few weeks – so the key to success for Ferrero lies in instilling an element of self-doubt into his game.
Ferrero's lesson in tennis, handed out free of charge to Felix Mantilla in the quarter final, had most observers shaking their heads in admiration. His game was near-perfection; a subtle blend of quick feet, impeccable shot selection and tactical awareness. His topspin drive is a joy to watch and nightmare to play, his drop shot so well disguised it dies on opponents before they have time to move. Coach Antonio Martinez has his man perfectly focussed and primed for a serious assault on the title. Gonzalez, despite all his power and gusto should succumb.
PREVIOUS ENCOUNTERS: GONZALEZ 2-0
2002 US Open (hard) 3R GONZALEZ 6-4 6-4 6-4
2002 Basle (indoor) Semi final GONZALEZ 6-4 4-6 6-1
