Rochus Sends Coria Packing
Tuesday, June 24, 2003
There was a look of disbelief on Guillermo Coria's face as the
seventh seed looked over the net at Olivier Rochus and contemplated
ways of halting the momentum of the Belgian who was ahead two sets
to love. He failed to find an answer, and crashed out of the first
round of The Championships in straight sets, 7-5,7-6 (7-4), 6-3.
With similar styles of play, both are heavy hitting baseliners, and
similar in stature, Rochus proved the more adaptable to grass. He has
played at Wimbledon on three previous occasions, twice reaching the
third round. Coria was making his second appearance, having been a
first round loser in 2001.
From the outset, Rochus, who has not had the best of seasons despite
reaching the final in Copenhagen and the last eight at Marseilles and
Hamburg, adopted an aggressive approach to the match.
Coria responded with far too many errors, both forced and unforced.
The Argentine 21-year-old came to The Championships having won Hamburg
and reached finals at Monte Carlo and Buenos Aires. He also made the
semis of the French Open where he famously defeated Andre Agassi. As
well as clay, he has performed well on the bouncy hardcourts of Melbourne,
where he was forced to retire with a wrist injury while leading Agassi
6-3, 3-1.
Grass, it would seem, is an altogether more frustrating proposition.
Rochus dominated Coria on serve and blasted winners off both wings,
frequently setting up points by forcing the Argentinian out of position.
To break for 5-3 in the third he retrieved what seemed like a winner
hit wide to his forehand, returning the same with interest into the
corner. The story of the match, really.
Later, after some reflection, Coria admitted to disappointment. "I
can't complain," he said. "After Roland Garros I relaxed and went back
to Argentina. I only prepared over three days so I knew it could happen.
However, I am angry for having lost in the first round.
"I had chances to win the second set but he played too well."
Now he returns to his home in Buenos Aires where he intends to train
hard for the next event, but despite this setback, he agreed he was
having a good year and added, "There's still another Grand Slam to come."
Written by Henry Wancke
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