Kuerten ends Norman conquest

Gustavo Kuerten: French champion for the second time

(5) Gustavo Kuerten (Bra) bt (3) Magnus Norman (Swe) 6-2, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (8-6)

Gustavo Kuerten captured his second French Open title with a deserved four set victory over Magnus Norman.

The long-haired Brazilian built a huge advantage by taking the first two sets in less than 90 minutes and although Norman came back to take the third, his task looked an intimidating one after such a poor start.

Norman actually saved an amazing 10 match points in the final set, but finally succumbed in the tie-break when he shaped a forehand just wide.

This was an enthralling final despite the absence of some of the sport's bigger names and was also played in tremendous spirit, despite a controversial call on Kuerten's first match point, a call which allowed Norman a stay of execution.

For Norman, the final was a bridge too far after such an incredible start to the season, which has seen him win two tournaments and romantically linked with women's number one Martina Hingis.

Incredible start

Kuerten's start was incredible, taking the first four games of the match and refusing to let his in-form opponent back into the set.

At 5-2 and 40-30, the Brazilian took advantage of his first set point with a ferocious serve and following groundstroke which Norman could do nothing with.

Amazingly, Norman had hit more winners during that opening set but significantly had made nearly twice as many unforced errors.

Superior power

Magnus Norman: A nervous start

Kuerten's superior power was the major difference during these opening stages and he continued the second set in similar style, breaking the Swede in the first game.

Despite his start to the season, Norman's comparative inexperience in this kind of arena - this was his first Grand Slam final - was noticable, as the first two sets seemed to pass him by.

Conversely, Kuerten was assuming control of proceedings, choosing his moments to apply pressure on the Norman serve and hitting his groundstrokes with the all power and purpose one would expect of a claycourt specialist.

Opportunity

After surviving a couple of tense moments on his own serve during the fourth game, Kuerten held firm and then broke Norman in the following game to give himself a great opportunity of taking a two set lead.

But a nervy service game at 5-2 led to Norman securing his first service break. His fans may have wondered whether this would be a turning point, but the Swede failed to consolidate on his breakthrough, mis-hitting a simple forehand at 30-40 on his own serve.

After what had been a dull, overcast afternoon at Roland Garros, the sun came out at the start of the third set and some light appeared at the end of the tunnel for Norman.

The 24-year-old, who is top of the ATP rankings, broke the Kuerten serve in the fifth game to lead a set for the first time in the match.

Another break

Norman rallied in the third set

He then secured another break to take the set 6-2 and and broke his younger opponent at the start of the fourth stanza.

But the players traded breaks during the set, with Kuerten responding immediately, then falling 4-2 behind, before levelling again.

The match's real talking point came in the 10th game when, at match point down, Norman hit a slashing forehand which seemed to have gone just wide.

Men's final key moments

First set: Kuerten wins first four games

Second set:Kuerten breaks Norman in the first and final game to win 6-3

Third set:Norman secures break in fifth game and wins 6-2

Fourth set: Both players trade breaks of serve

Norman saves seven match points to force a tie-break

Kuerten wins the tie-break and championship with his eleventh match point

But no call came from the line judge and the umpire refused to overrule the call, despite a rare protest from the usually placid Kuerten.

The Brazilian failed to take advantage of two other match points and was clearly incensed when a forehand of his own was called long by the umpire to give Norman the game.

But Kuerten cleared his head and even erased the doubts in his mind after failing to take seven match points by taking the tie-break.