The Hindu : Sport : `Kuznetsova, I like her game, she plays well'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jun 03, 2007
ePaper

Sport

Sport

`Kuznetsova, I like her game, she plays well'

STRONG AND STEADY: Roger Federer has picked Svetlana Kuznetsova to win the women's title at the French Open. — Photo: AFP

PARIS: Roger Federer picked Svetlana Kuznetsova to win the women's title at the French Open.

The top-ranked Federer, when asked to name who he thought would claim the Grand Slam title, shot back an answer almost as quickly as one of his forehands.

"Kuznetsova," Federer said on Friday. "I like her game. She plays well."

The third-seeded Kuznetsova reached the fourth round when she beat Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia 6-2, 6-3.

The 21-year-old Russian — a U.S. Open champion in 2004 — reached the final last year, losing to Justine Henin.

Federer, who also lost in last year's final — to Rafael Nadal — keeps up to date on all men's and women's scores.

"I want to have a look at the results at the end of the day," Federer said. "I just want to be informed of the highlights of the day, to know what has happened during the day."

The 10-time Grand Slam champion reached the fourth round on Friday, beating Potito Starace of Italy 6-2, 6-3, 6-0.

Habit forming

Rafael Nadal is following a strict routine in his bid for a third straight French Open title.

A light breakfast, the same dinner, and a fiercely competitive game on the computer before going to bed.

The second-seeded Spaniard begins each day by eating "bread with chocolate" and drinking "a few juices."

For dinner, he heads to the Champs-Elysees for his favourite meal, joined by his uncle Toni Nadal and Albert Costa — the 2002 French Open champion.

Nadal likes to eat "my typical gambas (prawns), which I love; olives, which I also like a lot, and a plate of pasta," Nadal said on his daily blog on the ATP's website.

After topping off his Thursday-night meal with ice cream, Nadal rushed back to the hotel for an eagerly anticipated match on Playstation.

"We ate pretty fast and went back quickly at 11 p.m. because we had another meeting," Nadal said.

"You'll already know what I'm talking about ... a Playstation match. The legendary Ferru (David Ferrer) and myself against our tough opponents Moyini (Carlos Moya) and David Nalbandian."

It's back to the court on Saturday for a third-round match against Albert Montanes.

No regrets

Edouard Roger-Vasselin felt powerless against Juan Monaco.

"I did everything I could," Roger-Vasselin said. "He has no weaknesses in his game."

The Frenchman lost to Monaco 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 in the third round on Friday and had no complaints.

"He was a better player than me, so nothing to regret," Roger-Vasselin said. "I did what I could."

Roger-Vasselin, who usually features in Futures and Challenger events, has played only eight career matches on the ATP tour.

Monaco, who has won two titles this year, next plays 19th-seeded Guillermo Canas of Argentina in the fourth round, and Roger-Vasselin thinks he could go far.

"He's brimming with confidence," Roger-Vasselin said.

Going solo

Stephanie Cohen-Aloro doesn't want a coach, and she always travels to tournaments by herself.

"That's my own choice, really, and right now I feel good this way," Cohen-Aloro said on Friday after losing to the 19th-seeded Tathiana Garbin 6-3, 6-0 in the third round of the French Open.

Cohen-Aloro said she's been without a coach since splitting with Nathalie Tauziat eight months ago.

"The coach tells you what you have to do, but there are things you have to feel for yourself," Cohen-Aloro said.

She's happier making her own calls.

"All I want is to feel well mentally," she said. "Whether I have coaches and people running around and yelling around me or standing ... I honestly don't care." — AP

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport