Men's round-up
Clement (left) cashed in when Coutelet began to tire |
Arnaud Clement earned the right to carry the home nation's hopes in the last 16 of the French Open with a straight-sets victory over compatriot Nicolas Coutelet on Saturday. Clement never looked in trouble as he cruised through 6-4 6-3 6-2 against qualifier Coutelet, who was playing his sixth match of the tournament.
With French number one Sebastien Grosjean having bowed out in the second round, Clement represents France's lone hope of a first home winner at Roland Garros since Yannick Noah in 1983.
The 25-year-old now faces Spain's Albert Costa or Nicolas Lapentti, of Ecuador, for a place in the quarter-finals.
"I had never been beyond the third round before in this tournament and I didn't want to miss out again this time. I was willing to die on the court," Clement said afterwards.
"It was difficult to stay concentrated because sometimes he was hitting fantastic winners and then he would make unforced errors.
"But I think he was a bit tired and I am pleased with the way I took advantage."
Earlier in the day, Chile's Fernando Gonzalez progressed at the expense of Dutch 12th seed Sjeng Schalken, who retired complaining of a virus when trailing 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 3-1.
"Every time I had to run to one side, my heartbeat was 200, and that's not good," Schalken said.
MMIX
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