Guga wins 2nd French title


Gustavo Kuerten's victory at the 1997 French Open was considered by many to be an aberration. Now no one doubts his credentials as a clay-court champion. Kuerten won his 2nd career French Open title this year, defeating Sweden's ATP Tour race leader Magnus Norman by 6-2, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (6). Kuerten now joins the likes of Sergi Bruguerra and Jim Courier a dual French Open Champion.

Kuerten's win was not as surprising this year as it had been in 1997. He was firmly established as one of the favourites for the title after winning the Masters event at Hamburg and reaching the finals of the Lipton and Italian Open tournaments respectively.

His win in the final over Magnus Norman was especially impressive, as the Swede was at the time the ATP Tour rankings leader, and had recently beaten Kuerten in the Italian Open final. Norman survived 10 match points during a thrilling 4th set, before finally falling in a close fought tie-breaker. The victory pushes Kuerten to the lead of the rankings race. Given his form over this year, his place is richly deserved.

Rafter back on track

After a frustrating 12 months of injury former world number 1 Patrick Rafter has made an impressive comeback to the grass courts. He won his 3rd consecutive Heineken Open title in Holland, beating Frenchman Nicholas Escude by 6-1, 6-3. Last year the Australian reached the semi-finals of Wimbledon, and this augurs well for his chances in that tournament.

Hewitt wins Queens, Impresses Sampras

Another Aussie has impressed in the leadup to Wimbledon. Lleyton Hewitt blitzed the field at the Queens tournament in London, brushing aside 6 time Wimbledon champion Pete Sampras in straight sets in the final. Sampras said he had played as well as he could, and that Hewitt could well be a future Wimbledon champion. Hewitt himself was also pleased, though said he didn't believe he could win that title this year.

Tournament Results

German Open (Hamburg): Germany Gustavo Kuerten def. Marat Safin 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (3)

ATP World Team Championship (Dusseldorf): Slovakia def. Russia 2-1

International Raiffeisen Grand Prix of Austria (St. Polten, Austria): Andrei Pavel def. Andrew Ilie 7-5, 3-6, 6-2

French Open (Paris): Gustavo Kuerten def. Magnus Norman 6-2, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (6)

Gerry Weber Open (Halle): David Prinosil def. Richard Krajicek 6-3, 6-2

Queens Grass Court Championships (London): Lleyton Hewitt def. Pete Sampras 6-4, 6-4

Heineken Trophy (Hertogenbosch, Netherlands):

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