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| 05 Jun 2002 | |
| Brit David Brewer reaches round of 16 |
By Eleanor Preston
As the storm clouds gathered over Roland Garros the big names in the junior competition all dodged showers – and tricky opponents – to move through to the third round.
Girls’ Australian Open finalist Maria Sharapova came through a tough match to beat Anais Laurendon (FRA) 6-2, 7-5 and reigning Junior Wimbledon champion Angelique Widjaja (INA) also had a battle on her hands. Top seed Widjaja needed all three sets to get past Belgian Elke Clijsters 4-6, 6-2, 7-5. Second seed Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova also dropped a set but survived a second set fight back by Shadisha Robinson (USA), winning 6-0, 6-7 (2), 6-3.
America’s Ashley Harkleroad also had a fight on her hands before coming through a tight match against Anna-Lena Groenefeld (GER) 7-6 (4), 6-2. "I knew going into the match that it would be tough because she’s had some good results," said Harkleroad. "I had to play well and capitalise when I had breakpoints on her serve. I was really pleased with the way I took the second set and overall I think I played pretty well."
In the boys’ competition third-seeded Argentinean Brian Dabul eased past his fellow South American Franco Ferreiro (BRA) 6-2, 6-4 and afterwards said he was pleased with his form at the moment. "I think I played really good, probably my best tennis," he said. "It was tough but I closed the match out well."
Dabul is the latest is along line of Argentinean players who have made Roland Garros their own. "I love it here," said Dabul. "I think it’s the best tournament and it’s the highlight of the year for all the Argentinean players." Dabul plays Belgium’s Steve Darcis in the third round after Darcis beat Jean-Baptiste Robin of France 6-1, 6-3.
Britain may not boast Argentina’s roster of clay court specialist but Scotland’s David Brewer is hoping to redress the balance. Brewer continued his good run of form with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Australian Robert Haybittel and afterwards agreed with Dabul that Roland Garros is his favourite time of the year. "I’ve always like the clay," said Brewer. "I was never fond of the grass where you hit a serve and the point is over because I much prefer the long rallies. My favourite player is Juan Carlos Ferrero because I just love the way he plays on the clay."
Brewer is playing his first Roland Garros and so far he’s loving every minute of it. "It’s great to be part of all this," he said. "One minute you’re seeing players on the TV and the next thing they’re walking past you. At first it’s odd to see people like Andre Agassi in the same room as you but the more you’re around them the more you realise they’re just normal people and they’re real professionals, which is something that never comes across on TV. It’s a brilliant experience." Brewer will face France’s Jo-Wilfred Tsonga in the next round.
In other matches, top seeded Swede Robin Soderling notched up another win, beating Cyril Mokaiesh (FRA) 6-0, 7-5 but tenth seed Philipp Petzchner (GER) was beaten in the second round, knocked out by Isreal’s Dudi Sela 6-2, 6-4.Photographs by Susan Mullane
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