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Defending champs feel the heat as grand slam heads for Paris
Paris, May 25: Title-holders Serena Williams and Albert Costa will be feeling the heat despite the chilly weather forecast for the second grand slam of the season which starts here tomorrow.
Paris, May 25: Title-holders Serena Williams and Albert Costa will be feeling the heat despite the chilly weather forecast for the second grand slam of the season which starts here tomorrow.
The reigning champions’ crowns are looking decidedly shaky on the eve of the two-week tournament on the slow red clay of the Roland Garros complex on the outskirts of the capital.
Williams will be going for her fifth straight major title, something last accomplished by Germany's Steffi Graf in 1988-89.
But while the journey back to Paris should be sentimental one for Williams, who won the first of her 22 WTA titles here, the 21-year-old American arrives on the back of losses to Justine Henin-Hardenne in Charleston and French hope Amelie Mauresmo, the fifth seed, in Rome. "She can be frustrated," warned Belgium's Henin-Hardenne. "I think it's good for the other players that we can see that."
Mauresmo, who has never got beyond the fourth round at Roland Garros, agreed, "I'm trying not to put any pressure on myself this year. But I believe I have a way of beating the Williams."
Costa, meanwhile, begins against Argentine qualifier Sergio Roitman, and the ninth seed admits it will be a tough task faced with world number one Lleyton Hewitt, former champion Gustavo Kuerten and young French hope Richard Gasquet all in his side at the top half of the draw. American Andy Roddick is also brimming with confidence after winning his first European title with ease yesterday on the Austrian clay of St Polten.
After finishing in the top 10 for first time in his career last year following his first grand slam title Costa has not won a title and is hoping to rekindle the fire on clay here. Bureau Report
Williams will be going for her fifth straight major title, something last accomplished by Germany's Steffi Graf in 1988-89.
But while the journey back to Paris should be sentimental one for Williams, who won the first of her 22 WTA titles here, the 21-year-old American arrives on the back of losses to Justine Henin-Hardenne in Charleston and French hope Amelie Mauresmo, the fifth seed, in Rome. "She can be frustrated," warned Belgium's Henin-Hardenne. "I think it's good for the other players that we can see that."
Mauresmo, who has never got beyond the fourth round at Roland Garros, agreed, "I'm trying not to put any pressure on myself this year. But I believe I have a way of beating the Williams."
Costa, meanwhile, begins against Argentine qualifier Sergio Roitman, and the ninth seed admits it will be a tough task faced with world number one Lleyton Hewitt, former champion Gustavo Kuerten and young French hope Richard Gasquet all in his side at the top half of the draw. American Andy Roddick is also brimming with confidence after winning his first European title with ease yesterday on the Austrian clay of St Polten.
After finishing in the top 10 for first time in his career last year following his first grand slam title Costa has not won a title and is hoping to rekindle the fire on clay here. Bureau Report