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| 05 Jun 2002 | |
| Wild card Recouderc ousts top seed |
The heavens opened onto Roland Garros on Wednesday, forcing spectators to huddle under umbrellas, sending players scuttling off court and wreaking havoc with the schedule.
The wind and rain brought bad news for top-seeded boy Robin Soderling, who was knocked out by French wildcard Laurent Recouderc. The Swede’s match was halted by rain when he led by three games to two in the first set, but when play resumed nearly five hours later Soderling struggled to regain his rhythm and it was Recouderc who came out on top, winning 6-4, 6-2. In the very last match on court, reigning Australian Open Champion Clement Morel was ousted by Italian Andreas Seppi 67(2) 76 (6) 63.
Last year’s Australian Open boys’ champion Janko Tipsarevic coped better with the windy, damp conditions on court. The seventeen-year-old was too strong for Martin Vilarrubi, beating the Uruguayan 6-2, 6-3. Lamine Ouahab and Dudi Sela joined Tipsarevic in the last eight. Ouahab cruised past Australia’s Chris Guccione 6-4, 6-2 and Sela notched up a 6-1, 2-6, 6-4 win over Mathieu Montcourt.
The major upset in the girls’ tournament was Ana Ivanovic’s gutsy 0-6, 6-3, 6-4 win over fifth seed Eva Birnerova. Birnerova looked on course for an easy win when she breezed through the first set but then the rains came and life got far tougher for the Czech. Ivanovic turned things around when play resumed after a five hour delay and earned her place in the quarter-finals.
Reigning girls’ Wimbledon champion Angelique Widjaja had a torrid time before squeaking past Cory Ann Avants 6-2, 7-6(5). Avants sported a heavily strapped thigh but there was no sign that the injury hampered her movement, particularly in the second set when she was twice a break up before Widjaja hit back for a hard fought straight sets win.
With less than two hours of play possible in Paris it was long, boring and ultimately frustrating day for the rest of the players. Luckily the players’ lounge, situated under the Suzanne Lenglen court has plenty to keep bored teenagers amused. Some kept boredom at bay by virtual snowboarding on one of the most popular arcade games on offer, while others, like Brian Dabul, stood chatting to friends or checking their e-mail on one of the four computers laid on for players’ use. "Everyone’s just sitting about trying to fill the time," said Alex Bogdanovic, who was waiting for his much anticipated third round match against Richard Gasquet. "I watched the World Cup on TV but when that ended it’s just been a matter of having something to eat and being patient. It’s difficult though." The Bogdanovic – Gasquet clash was eventually postponed until Thursday.
Bogdanovic’s countryman David Brewer found the perfect way to pass the time. "I’ve been sleeping all day," smiled Brewer. Brewer will have to wait until Thursday for his third round match against France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
As well as a restaurant, miniature internet cafe and arcade games, the players’ lounge is also equipped with four pinball machines, all of which were full throughout the day. "They really look after us here with all this stuff," said Brewer. While the boys played with their toys, the girls chatted with their friends and family and watched the skies for signs of a break in the weather. Everyone will be hoping Thursday brings a brighter day. Photographs by Susan Mullane
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