Norman out to prove worth

Kuerten will face a determined challenge from Norman

French Open men's final - G Kuerten (Bra) v M Norman (Swe)

Sunday 11 June 1315 BST

Current ATP number one Magnus Norman is determined to prove his doubters wrong as he prepares to face Gustavo Kuerten in the men's French Open final on Sunday.

The Swede is frustrated that many in the tennis fraternity believe that he is not in the same class as Pete Sampras or Andre Agassi, and that his position at the top of the ladder is a false one.

He will have to be at his best to defeat clay court master Kuerten, who will be looking to win his second title in the space of four years.

It will be Norman's first ever French Open final, but he is confident about handling the task before him.

"I'm very strong now - and I'll be stronger in the final," said Norman.

The pair have met on clay no less than three times since May, with Norman beating Kuerten in the Rome final, although the Brazilian struck back with a win in the Hamburg quarter-finals.

Previous win

"It's not at the Agassi-Sampras level yet," added Norman.

"Let's be realistic here. But we have played in a few quite big matches now."

Both players have won two tournaments each this year, although Kuerten believes that his previous win in the French Open will be to his favour.

"To have won here that time has helped me to escape some bad situations and turn matches around," said Kuerten.

"I'll draw on the experience of winning here before. I hope this will be an advantage for me."

Whereas the 24-year-old Swedish star has had a relatively easy ride to the final, dropping just one set against Russian Marat Safin in the earlier rounds.

By contrast, Kuerten was taken to five sets against both Yevgeny Kafelnikov and then Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero.

The final should prove to be an riveting encounter.