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| |  Friday, 8 June, 2001, 13:36 GMT 14:36 UK Kuerten cruises into final Kuerten's blistering returns were too good for Ferrero Gustavo Kuerten (Bra) bt Juan Carlos Ferrero (Spa) 6-4 6-4 6-3 Defending champion Gustavo Kuerten has cruised into the final of the French Open with a dazzling display against Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero. The Brazilian outshone Ferrero throughout the match, winning in straight sets, and will play either Sebastien Grosjean, conqueror of Andre Agassi, or Alex Corretja for the crown. Kuerten started brightly, pushing his opponent behind the baseline with a number of dazzling ground strokes, cheered on in front of an excitable crowd. Both players exchanged service breaks in the seventh and eighth game but Kuerten stole the opening set with a combination of deft dropshots and blistering return of serves.
Kuerten finished off the set in style 6-4 after winning a marathon rally in the final game. The Spaniard was clearly rattled, but after losing five games in a row Ferrero bounced back to 2-2 in the second set. Kuerten continued to force the pace and although Ferrero battled valiantly, it was the Brazilian who had the extra dimension to his game to take a two-set lead winning 6-4. Ferrero remained in fighting spirits but as the set continued in tight fashion, Kuerten turned on the style, and the power, to break Ferrero's serve in the eighth. It proved a vital break and with head bowed, there was no way back for Ferrero and as Kuerten claimed his 10th ace, victory was his, winning the final set 6-3. | |
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