Court Centrale: Guga's House

The shine is off the still-maturing Federer:
Can he forget Paris and storm Wimbledon?
Kuerten: 'Tactically I really played perfect from beginning to end'

By Matthew Cronin
tennisreporters.net

Photos: Susan Mullane/Camerawork USA

With win over Federer, Guga's magic is no secret at Roland Garros.

FROM ROLAND GARROS – Take Guga Kuerten away from Court Centrale during the past two-and-half years and he has been downright ordinary. But whenever he shows up in Paris, he's flat out superhuman.

The reverse could be said of Roger Federer, who has been so smooth and lethal the past six months that he had many longtime observers eagerly chattering about the possibility that the Swiss could win the calendar year Grand Slam. Mouths closed faster than a Guga bullet ace out wide to ad court when three-time Roland Garros champ dominated Federer 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.

That's right, throw the score out. Guga was never in serious trouble in the match and the premature contention that Federer is in Sampras' category was shut down by the Brazilian Hall of Fame police. An extremely offensive Guga brought Federer down to earth in a big way. Kuerten served with precision and speed, made mincemeat of Federer's much talked about one-handed backhand and used the angles of the court with much verve.

NO BREAK POINTS AFTER SECOND GAME
Guga never faced a break point after the second game of the match, had no problems in going stroke for stroke in crosscourt rallies and was far more effective down the line. For his part, Federer slipped and slided, changed his shoes, was snail like to the net and saw his usually wicked slice backhand take up residence in the net cords.

"I just didn't play like I can," Federer said. "I wasn't getting winners I normally do. He hits deep into the court and hard. He's got a good behind where he can either hold me or go up the line and play aggressive. My game today had a lot to do with his game. Usually I can control these matches and today I couldn't."

Most assuredly. The majestic stadium they call Philippe Chatrier Court has had more of Guga's guts and glory spilled on it than any other player in the game has today. In '97, he defeated three RG champs en route to the title: Muster, Kafelnikov and Bruguera. In '00, Kafelnikov, Ferrero and Norman were his straining, sitting ducks. In '01, he pulled off the heart-shaped miracle off Michael Russell in the fourth round, then downed Kafelnikov (of course), Ferrero and Corretja.

Yes, Guga has beaten great RG champions before, but never a young No. 1 with the pedigree of Federer just two months after he had reinjured his surgically repaired right hip.

"It's been a love story since the beginning," Kuerten said. "I came here in bad shape, playing bad. But every time I go on the court, it seems something special happens with the love and passion I have for the tournament. That brings the best out in me."

Kuerten: 'Tactically I really played perfect from beginning to end'
Guga is a soulful man with a spiritual game than when in tune, dances a long with a delightful samba beat. But what has yet to be discussed is what a smart player he has become at the at the age of 27. He knew that if he played conservative and gave Federer a chance to breathe, he wouldn't survive. "Tactically I really played perfect from beginning to end," Kuerten said. "I didn't let him get comfortable."

That was the second time in three tries that Guga has downed Federer, who made the astounding comment that Guga's serve leaves him brain dead. This is the same Federer who at Wimbledon last year made a mockery of big gunners Andy Roddick's and Mark Philippoussis' serves and did the same with Marat Safin's heat in Australian Open final. "I cannot really read it," Federer said. "That's his big weapon against me."

What was obvious from the first game on, when Guga broke Roger, was that Kuerten was far more comfortable in the environment and didn't really consider himself to be the underdog. "It's lovely," Kuerten said. "I had all the motivation on to play the best guy in the world in my favorite tournament. That normally brings out the best in me."

Guga says he might not have lasted beyond three sets, which is why he was tightly focused every step of the way. What's troubling for Federer is why he was unable to snag a set and test the Brazilian's fitness. Guga will be favored against Feliciano Lopez in the next round, but Safin or David Nalbandian may be too much for his still creeky hip in the quarters. Or not.

The Swiss says it's not a disaster but was quite ticked off when questioned hard on his choice of tactics. Federer was right to say that tactics really didn't matter on Saturday: It was his mediocre quality of play and utter lack of confidence at world's most important clay court tournament.

While Federer has developed into a much more mentally tough player over the past year, he's still has miles to go before you can put him up there with all time best. His so-called greatness will be severely tested when he attempts to defend his Wimbledon title. Sampras almost always forgot Paris and stormed London. Can Roger?