THE SCOOP, ROLAND GARROS DAY 6

Roddick: from hardly walking to partying hard

By Matthew Cronin
tennisreporters.net

PARIS, June 2 – After straining his hamstring and retiring against Lleyton Hewitt on Friday, Andy Roddick went to a player's party at Paris' fashionable Club VIP and was festive until 2 a.m. Andre Agassi says that Roddick has a big upside, but needs to take care of his body much better.

MARCELO RIOS REDUX VS. CLEMENT, THE SMILING FRENCHMAN
The controversial and surly Chilean won the Roland Garros Lemon Prize for the third year, bestowed upon him by journalists for being the player most difficult to deal with. Sources say that at that Rome player party where Rios got out of hand and was fined $10,000 by the ATP, that he used the dance floor for a bathroom. The RG Orange Prize for the most likeable and quotable player was given to Frenchman Arnaud Clement, who also received the RG Official Program cover jinx: after his smiling face was plastered on the widely circulated periodical, he promptly lost in the first round.

BREAKING EVEN
Qualifier Michael Russell, who will have the pleasure of facing two-time champ Guga Kuerten tomorrow, said the $53,000 check he will receive for reaching the fourth round will guarantee that for the first time in his five years on tour, he'll do more than break even.

STUBBORN HINGIS FINDS NO FAULT WITH SELF
How bad is it for Martina Hingis at Roland Garros. Heed the words of her recent victim, Rachel McQuillan. "They were really against her so quickly," McQuillan said. "They're really on her. The crowd's against her. That's the hardest part for her. It must be hard to put up with every time she plays. If I were in her shoes, I'd hate it. It's really bad. I felt for her a little bit."

But Martina will not back off – she's got way too much pride and is far too stubborn. And more than a little cocky. "So far I think I haven't been wrong once, when they start whistling or booing," Hingis said. "Otherwise if I feel good about the score, I wouldn't bother. That's the way they are. I have to accept it. Once IÂm right, I feel good about it. IÂm the kind of player who is pretty emotional and I take it. At that point you just go off your own senses. When itÂs crucial, I go take a look." Martina better not go off against FranceÂs Sadrine Testud on Court Centrale š unless sheÂs stuffed her ears with cotton.

RUSSIAN QUARTET LEAVE ANNA BEHIND

Susan Mullane Camerawork USA, Inc.

Does Russian up-and-comer Nadia Petrova have a chance against Serena Williams. With a big forehand and decent movement for a 5-foot-11 player, Petrova may be able to stand toe-to-toe with Serena, who is still somewhat uncomfortable on dirt. "I think I have a good chance and am really looking forward to it," said the No. 58 ranked Petrova. "My father wants me to get further. I'm really focused and looking to go a couple rounds more. " Part of a wave of strong, young Anti-Anna Russian players – Elena Dementieva, Elena Bovina, Lina Krasnoroutskaya – Petrova thinks that the Russians could soon take over the title of the best nation in the universe from the U.S. "I'm not going to be surprised," said Petrova, who reached her first Grand Slam Round of 16. "All of us are looking forward to that. I think we can do it."