Grosjean Resumes in Style
Wednesday, June 25, 2003

There is revolution in the air. In today's world of big players with
bigger muscles playing huge shots, the little people are rising up as
one. Justine Henin-Hardenne (all 5'5" of her) lit the flame at the French
Open, scything her way through Serena Williams and then Kim Clijsters to
win the title.

She must have handed the torch to Sebastien Grosjean (a small but
perfectly formed 5'9") who went on to fell Thomas Enqvist (6'3" and shoulders
as big as a wardrobe) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) and reach the third
round. They began in the evening sunshine on Tuesday, called it quits in
the gloaming and then resumed hostilities this afternoon.

It has been a long time since Enqvist was in a position to challenge for
any of the major prizes in the sport. Back in 1999 he was ranked No. 4
in the world but after a succession of injuries, he now languishes at
the 106 mark and, coming into the tournament, he had not won a match since
March. Two operations on his right shoulder, two on his right foot and
one on his ankle have cost him dear.

Still, on his day the tall Swede still knows how to play. A little like a
human metronome, he loves to get into a steady rhythm on his serve and
his ground strokes and once he starts ticking he can be very dangerous indeed.

Grosjean, though, is a canny lad. His legs may not be long but they do move
quickly and, scampering hither and thither, he manages to get most shots back.
He also compensates for his lack of brawn with a shrewd tactical brain.
Spotting that Enqvist had got into the groove rather earlier than expected,
he started to mix it up. Sometimes he came forward, sometimes he stayed back;
sometimes he belted the ball, sometimes he tapped it back. It was all just
enough to knock Enqvist off balance.

By the time they called it a day on Tuesday, Grosjean was comfortably in
control. Not even the chance to regroup and gather his thoughts in the
overnight delay seemed to help Enqvist's cause and it took just one more
set to settle matters. The little man was walking tall.

Written by Alix Ramsay

Court 2 - Gentlemen's Singles - 1st Round

  Sebastien Grosjean FRA (13)    4 6 6 77

  Thomas Enqvist SWE             6 3 4 64