A Happy Birthday for Grosjean
Georges Homsi
Wednesday, May 29, 2002

Sebastien Grosjean celebrated his 24th birthday in winning
fashion on Wednesday afternoon on Court Philippe Chatrier,
beating Spaniard Francisco Clavet in four sets 7-6 (0) 7-6(2)
3-6 6-3.

It was Grosjean's first match on this court since his
semifinal loss last year to Alex Corretja.

Still suffering from the effects of a groin injury sustained
during a Davis Cup tie against the Czech Republic in early
April, Grosjean said he wasn't able to prepare as well as he
wanted to for this tournament.

But against the veteran claycourt specialist Clavet - who
tried to keep the rallies very long - Grosjean played some
aggressive tennis, displaying his powerful forehand to win
the first two sets in the tiebreaker.

Grosjean received treatment for the groin strain during the
second set, and when Clavet came back to win the third set,
things didn't look promising for the tenth seed.

Grosjean slightly changed tactics, taking the ball earlier,
playing riskier tennis and soon moved back into control.

But the 33-year-old Clavet kept up the fight to capture the
next three games, forcing Grosjean to again raise his level
of play.

Grosjean played a nearly perfect last four games, finishing
on a winning overhead after his strings had broken.

"It was really tough. At the end, my groin was bothering me,
and this is why I took more chances. I hope I will have
recuperated for my second round tomorrow," said Grosjean.

He will not have an easy task against the up-and-coming
American talent, James Blake.