Making tennis fun again, Rafael Nadal of Spain lost the first set tiebreaker but battled back to beat unseeded Mariano Puerta of Argentina, 6-7, 6-3, 6-1, 7-5, in a thrilling final at the French Open in Paris.
Looking lovely as always, the Spanish fashion trendsetter Rafa went from orange to lime at the French, but kept the totally cool capris, which he calls "piratas," or pirate pants. As for his remarkable tennis, on clay anyway, Rafa the Bull will be a force to be reckon with for the next five years at least. (Ole!) The upcoming grass and hardcourt season may be a different story though. Let's hope he continues to improve and will give Roger Federer a real rival now that Marat Safin has disappeared again and -- whatever happened to Andy Roddick? Wasn't he supposed to be Federer's rival? Leyton Hewitt? Broken ribs, missed the French. Things could get interesting this summer., As for Puerta, who did not play in last year's French Open because he was banned from the game for 9 months after testing positive for clenbuterol, he sent a hush through the crowd at the stadium during the final when he was treated for a groin injury in the first set. After having his thigh bandaged, he played well enough to win the first set and hang in there for the next three hours. Eventually Puerta wasted three set points in the fourth which would have forced a decisive fifth set.
On the ladies side, congrats to the Belgian empress Justine Henin-Hardenne who spanked Mary Pierce 6-1 6-1 in just 62 minutes in the women's final on Saturday. Justine's been through a lot with her injuries and illnesses but she's got a great fighting spirit. It was the second title at Roland Garros for H2, who was the 10th seed this year.
As for Puerta, who did not play in last year's French Open because he was banned from the game for 9 months after testing positive for clenbuterol, he sent a hush through the crowd at the stadium during the final when he was treated for a groin injury in the first set. After having his thigh bandaged, he played well enough to win the first set and hang in there for the next three hours. Eventually Puerta wasted three set points in the fourth which would have forced a decisive fifth set.
On the ladies side, congrats to the Belgian empress Justine Henin-Hardenne who spanked Mary Pierce 6-1 6-1 in just 62 minutes in the women's final on Saturday. Justine's been through a lot with her injuries and illnesses but she's got a great fighting spirit. It was the second title at Roland Garros for H2, who was the 10th seed this year.
Comments
Great win by a great kid.
Posted by: Anonymous | June 10, 2005 9:35 AM