http://www.atptennis.com/
October 13, 2002
Mathieu Extends Title Run

==The Frenchman lifts career-second trophy in Lyon.==

Local favorite Paul-Henri Mathieu claimed his second ATP title in as many
weeks by defeating Gustavo Kuerten 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 in front of a capacity
crowd in the final of the Grand Prix de Tennis de Lyon.

It was the 20-year-old Frenchman's second career singles title in only two
final appearances, and he is the third player this year to win titles
back-to-back, joining Lleyton Hewitt, who captured consecutive tournaments
in San Jose and Indian Wells, and Carlos Moya, who won in Bastad and Umag.
Mathieu now has won 13 consecutive matches in 16 days, starting with the
Moscow qualifying event.

Mathieu, who was given a Special Exemption into the tournament after his
winning performance in Moscow made him unavailable for qualifying into Lyon,
defeated Julien Boutter, No. 4 seed and reigning Australian Open champion
Thomas Johansson, Jonas Bjorkman and Kristian Pless - saving one match point
- en route to the title.

Kuerten, who also was bidding for his second straight tournament title
after winning in his native Brazil in his last outing, was showing the
effects of some tough matches earlier in the week. The 26-year-old from
Florianopolis needed three sets against No. 5 seed Younes El Aynaoui in the
first round, top seed Marat Safin in the quarterfinals and Arnaud Clement
in the semis.

What the Players Said:

Mathieu: "I knew I had a chance today going into the match. 'Guga' is a
legend of tennis and this makes the victory extra special. When I received
the winner's trophy at the prize giving ceremony, it finally hit me that I
had won again. Both victories are sweet but champagne taste better than
vodka."

Kuerten: "I started to lose some power in the second set, and in the third
I felt like I had no energy left. I was hoping to hang in there and
hopefully get another chance to come back into the match. I had four really
tough matches this week and they started to show. Overall, I am very happy
with how I have performed here in Lyon."