Praying for rain

Pavel uses delay to get home for son's birth

PARIS (AP) -- It couldn't have rained at a better time for Andrei Pavel.

The Romanian player's quarterfinal at the French Open was delayed twice because of darkness and rain, so he left Paris at midday Wednesday and made it home to Germany in time for the birth of his son.

The No. 22 seed headed back to Paris on Wednesday night and was scheduled to resume his match against Alex Corretja on Thursday.

Their quarterfinal was initially halted Tuesday because of darkness, with Corretja leading 7-6 (5), 7-5, 4-5. The players were unable to continue the match Wednesday as scheduled because of rain.

Pavel and his wife also have a 2-year-old daughter.