Safin destroys French hopes
Georges Homsi
Thursday, June 6, 2002

One extra day of rest couldn't help Sebastien Grosjean recuperate from
his marathon efforts this past 10 days, the Frenchman falling in straight
sets to No2 Marat Safin on Thursday.

Still suffering from a groin injury, Grosjean had this far been able to
overcome the pain, winning his first four matches with the help of an
enthusiastic Parisian crowd.

Seeded No10, the Frenchman knew that he had lived-up to his seeding by
reaching the last eight. Now it was time to step it up a notch, against
the tournament's powerhouse, Safin. Grosjean had proven previously that
he was capable of raising his game to counteract Safin's power, pushing
the Russian to 7-6 in the fifth set at the 2000 US Open, before Safin
went on to take the singles crown.

The Russian had struggled on his way to the quarters, but had been able
to significantly raise his level to make the difference when it counted.
He'd dug deep to recover from a two-sets-to-one deficit in the second
round against the little Olivier Rochus.

In Thursday's match, both players required the assistance of the trainer,
Safin even before the match had started! The Russian was treated for
blisters on his right foot, while Grosjean needed help with his groin
problems.

Nevertheless, it was Safin who seemed less bothered by his ailment, the
No2 seed playing uninhibited tennis and powerfully directing the rallies.
It became quickly clear that there would be no French miracle. More so
than earlier in the tournament, Grosjean's groin seemed to affect him,
and he moved less freely around the court.

Safin broke for the first time in the eighth game, surging to a 5-3 lead.
He went on to take the set in the following game, after 31 minutes of play,
and having only dropped four points on serve.

Grosjean was clearly suffering and called for the trainer. A couple of
minutes later, he went back on court, to attempt to reverse his fortunes.
Yet, more so than in the first set, he looked anxious and restrained in
his movements, making him vulnerable to Safin's aggressive attacks.

In the third game of the second set, Grosjean went up 40-0. But Safin kept
the pressure on, bouncing back to break for a 3-1 lead. He went on to break
again, and take the set 6-2. Grosjean had been treated again at 2-5 down
and thereafter never looked like coming back. Safin secured victory in one
hour, 43 minutes.

"I considered pulling out at the beginning of the second set. But when I
saw the people starting to fill the stands after the soccer match, I
changed my mind," Grosjean admitted later.

"Now I'm going to undergo tests to see how much rest I'm going to need,"
said Grosjean who may decide to skip Wimbledon.

"I played quite well. I played smart. I tried to stay calm and play my
game," said Safin, who now faces No11 Juan Carlos Ferrero. "You can never
be satisfied with your game. You always want to do better. But I played well
enough to reach the semifinals and to have a chance to go to the final,"
he added.

Safin, who grew up in Spain, is the only non-Spaniard in the semis (alongside
Costa, Corretja and Ferrero). He trained in Valencia since he was
14-years-old, near the place where Ferrero was raised.

"I know the Spanish players quite well. They are the biggest fighters in
the world. They have a very good baseline game, and they never miss a shot.
I know I will have to put Ferrero under pressure. You definitely need a good
serve and try to look for the net. To stay with him. To try to stay calm....
I know his game, he knows my game. I always play well against him. I like
his game. I feel comfortable against him."