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Three out of four ain't bad
With 3 in semis, Spain poised for 3rd French title in 6 years
Posted: Thursday June 04, 1998 09:39 PM
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Grand Slam experience: Moya lost to Pete Sampras at the 1997 Australian Open (AP) |
PARIS (AP) -- It's not unusual to have three Spaniards in the semifinals of a clay-court tournament -- if it's in Barcelona or Madrid.
But in the French Open?
Unprecedented.
Carlos Moya, Felix Mantilla and Alex Corretja add some Iberian flair to the French Open semifinals, with only Frenchman Cedric Pioline left to prevent a Spaniard from winning for the third time in six years.
"I'm used to being the last Frenchman in Grand Slam tournaments," Pioline said, "but now I have three Spaniards against me."
Known for early season success on clay while players from other countries adjust to the slow surface, the Spanish men rarely win the Grand Slam event.
Moya, Mantilla and Corretja have 13 titles on clay among them, all in smaller tournaments. During the last decade, 79 clay titles have gone to Spaniards.
However, only Sergi Bruguera, Manuel Santana and Andres Gimeno have won the French Open for Spain, with Bruguera taking consecutive titles in 1993 and 1994.
"It's obvious we've been practicing on clay all our lives," Corretja said. "It's normal now that we find the results. It's also because we work really hard. I think it's time to change our minds and forget about the small tournaments and try to go for the big ones, as we did here."
Clay seems to be Spain's favorite surface.
"For a Spanish player, we don't have too many chances to win many matches on grass and indoors," Moya said. "But I hope this is going to change."
Corretja (above) has won both his previous clay court matches against Cedric Pioline (AP) | |
Moya is the only one of the trio in a previous Grand Slam, losing to Pete Sampras on a hard court at the 1997 Australian Open. Now he faces his buddy in Mantilla.
"We're going to be friends until Friday," Moya said. "Friday, when we get to the court, I will want to kill him. On the court, of course, not off the court."
Moya beat Pioline in the final at Monte Carlo, a big early season tournament, after Pioline struggled into the final with exhausting three-set victories.
This time, Pioline is in the French final after exhausting five-set victories, including a quarterfinal win against Hicham Arazi.
"I really felt I gave everything I had," Pioline said,
At Roland Garros, Pioline will have the backing of the crowd. He is the first Frenchman in the Paris final since Henri Leconte in 1988.
"Even when I'm tired, they want me to keep going and try to do my best," Pioline said. "A good part of my win [against Arazi] was because of the crowd pushing me."
Pioline has made the finals of Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, losing to Sampras both times in straight sets.
"It has been a help because I know how one can feel after a number of matches," Pioline said. "When you reach the second week, middle of the second week, end of the second week, I know how to handle that problem and how to control the use of your time."
Pioline has played Corretja three times, with the Spaniard winning both matches on clay.
"I think he's going to be difficult, for sure," Pioline said, "because he's playing very well."
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