Paris, June 05: Defending champion and comeback king Albert Costa came back from two sets down for the third time and went the distance for a fourth today beating fellow Spaniard Tommy Robredo 2-6, 3-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 to reach the semi-finals of the men's singles at the French Open. There, Costa will meet third-seeded compatriot Juan Carlos Ferrero, his victim in last year's final, after battling past Robredo in 3hr 29min.
Ferrero also had to fight for his life before moving past Chilean 19th seed Fernando Gonzalez 6-1, 3-6, 6-1, 5-7, 6-4, also in 3hr 29min. In Friday's other semi-final, Argentine seventh-seed Gillermo Coria, Andre Agassi's conqueror, will meet Dutch newcomer Martin Verkerk.
The men's semi-finalists are guaranteed a healthy payday of 210,800 Euros, the title itself being worth 840,000. Costa, who became the first man to survive four five-set contests at one grand slam event, said he is now at the top of his form having come here on the back of 22 winless events, stretching back to last year's trophy match.
Robredo, seeded 28 and a former junior finalist, said despite his defeat he had played the best tournament of his life, but admitted that Costa had outwitted him tactically.
Ferrero also found Gonzalez 'going for it' in his match, aside from first and third set, which the Spaniard raced through. The Chilean forced a decider and then saved five match points before hitting long to bow out.
But he and Ferrero merited their standing ovation on leaving the Philippe Chatrier centre court. Bureau Report