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Costa v Robredo: Viva Espana
By Georges Homsi
Tuesday, June 3, 2003
The real Albert Costa finally stood up on Monday - and local hope Arnaud
Clement was left picking up the pieces. After painful five-set wins in his
first three matches, each more heroic than the last, the title holder at last
found his true identity to send the last French contender packing and set up
an all-Spanish quarter final with Tommy Robredo. 21-year-old Robredo has
disposed of world No1 Lleyton Hewitt and triple champion Gustavo Kuerten on a
run that has exceeded all expectations. Viva Espana in this last eight
encounter then, but if you think that automatically means endless exchanges
from the baseline, you're wrong.
CURRENT FORM
After a solid start to the season, which included a semi final appearance in
Miami, Albert Costa has struggled on clay all season long. No doubt
intimidated at the idea of defending his Roland-Garros title, he seemed
incapable of picking up his game where he had left it last season. Costa's
first three matches at this year's French Open saw him struggle against
inferior opposition, so when he lined up against on-fire Cl戗ent in the fourth
round the doubters were predicting his demise. Damning him with faint praise
for his admirable courage up to that point, they pointed out that his luck -
and his stamina - just couldn't last. Cl戗ent was sure to pick him off. How
wrong they were. Albert Costa circa 2002 suddenly reappeared on Philippe
Chatrier court on Monday, and Cl戗ent was dispatched in straight sets.
Tommy Robredo had little pedigree to suggest he would emerge from the pack at
this year's French Open. Semi final appearances at Dubai and Estoril certainly
showed promise, but when he was two-sets-to-love down against the world No1 in
the third round, he looked down and out. That incredible comeback was followed
by another brilliant victory over three-time former champion Gustavo Kuerten.
He fully deserved both those wins, and comes into this one on a massive high.
STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES
Albert Costa is a clay court player par excellence. An all-round talent, when
his game clicks he can do more or less what he likes with the ball. Crucially,
he has the tactical brain to pick the right shot from his armory at just the
right time. Versatile, then, he has a much-underestimated serve and a
heartbreaking drop shot.
Tommy Robredo is not your typical Spanish clay court baseliner. Naturally
aggressive, he likes to dictate matters via whipping groundstrokes, as well
as come to the net to finish things off. His perfectly-timed drop shots
against Kuerten showed he has the knack to vary his game just when it matters.
The younger Spaniard's Achilles heel may be his first serve, which lacks the
punch to set Costa onto the back foot.
PREVIOUS ENCOUNTERS
The two have never met.
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