Costa breaks through
Georges Homsi
Thursday, June 6, 2002

After eight years on the pro tennis tour, Spaniard Albert Costa
has developed a reputation as one of the most solid claycourters
in the world, having captured 11 titles, all on the slow red surface,
and reached six finals.

The 27-year-old, who grew up idolising John McEnroe, has also showed
throughout the years that he could also be very dangerous on hard
courts. A final in Dubai in 1996, and a quarterfinal at the 2001
US Open are testaments to that.

Yet, so far, the Spaniard was still missing that something extra
that distinguishes the great champions from the very solid players.
Despite his Masters Series title in Hamburg in 1998, Costa had never
progressed past the quarterfinal of a Grand Slam. He reached the
quarterfinals here in 1995 and 2000 and the quarters of the Australian
Open in 1997.

Last year was an up-and-down season for the Spaniard who finished
out of the top 30 and failed to win at least 30 matches for the
first time since 1994. He lost in the first round here, his earliest
exit in seven years.

But after his sensational win over titleholder Gustavo Kuerten at
Roland Garros on Sunday, Costa knew he had the determination and
the skill to to go further this time. "In the past I also played
very well. But mentally I feel stronger than before now," he said
after defeating the Brazilian star. "All throughout the match I was
thinking: 'I'm going to win, I'm going to win.' Also I was so
concentrated."

Still, to go one step further, he knew he couldn't afford to drop
his intensity in his quarterfinal match against the infatigable
Argentinean Guillermo Canas. And he didn't. Down two-sets-to-one
and 2-4, Costa kept roaring and pounding the ball with as much
energy as ever, leaving his opponent flat. Now he was the undisputed
boss on the court, as he rallied to win the next 10 games and make
it to the last four of a major event for the first time ever.

"Up until today, I tried and tried but I just couldn't do it. But I
think that the most important thing is that when you keep trying, at
the end you always have a prize, a gift. Now I'm feeling great. I'm
very, very happy," said Costa, who reached the final of the junior
boys singles at Roland Garros in 1993.

"For me it's a new sensation to be in the semifinals of a Grand Slam
after having been in the quarters three times before."

And Costa admits he doesn't really care if he doesn't have a very
highly recognizable profile, comparable to some more charismatic
players. "I don't know if I'm getting more famous or not. I just
try to do my job every day. I wake up, I run, try to do this or
that, and play play, play. I won 11 tournaments so I have good
prizes from tennis. And now I'm in the semifinals at Roland Garros."

In the semis, his opponent will be his friend Alex Corretja, a three
set winner over Romania's Andrei Pavel. Corretja was leading by two
sets to love and trailing 5-4 in the third before the match was
suspended late Tuesday evening. It was completed early Thursday
morning after rain forced the cancellation of play on Wednesday.
"I hope to play Alex because that would mean that he's in the
semifinals too," Costa said.

Amongst Spanish players, friendship is sacred. But for the duration
of their match on Friday, their friendship will be forgotten. A spot
in the Roland Garros final is too precious to be offered even to a
great friend.