Costa celebrates another five-set win |
Defending champion Albert Costa recovered from two sets down to crush Tommy Robredo and book his place in the semi-finals of the French Open.
Costa, dubbed the comeback king after recovering from two sets down three times in the tournament, won the match 2-6 3-6 6-4 7-5 6-2 over his fellow Spaniard.
Robredo, who was playing in his first Grand Slam quarter-final, raced into a two sets to love lead with some sublime claycourt tennis.
But he began to tire, allowing the defiant Costa to take full advantage from the baseline and win in three hours 28 minutes.
Costa's win earns him a match with either third seed Juan Carlos Ferrero or Chile's Fernando Gonzalez.
Costa said he was not fazed at being two sets down.
He said: "I felt pretty good out there even at two sets down."
Costa has not won an event since his win over Ferrero in last year's final - but he said he was now back to his top form.
 I was a lot better than him in the first two sets, and I never expected the change |
"There's not much difference really between this year and last year. I am back on my game. Why shouldn't I carry out a repeat win?
"I've surprised myself though. I am very tired even if I am not showing it. Next time I'll try to finish up a bit quicker!"
Robredo, who beat world number one Lleyton Hewitt and three-times champion Gustavo Kuerten in previous rounds, admitted he had been surprised to lose after dominating the first two and a half sets.
"What Costa did today, it's very difficult," Robredo said.
"I was a lot better than him in the first two sets,and I was never expecting the change.
"He played desperately because either he would come back in this match or lose it. He didn't beat me by much. I just have to congratulate him."
Robredo's composure, rock-solid at the start of the match, started to fray at the start of the fourth set.
He engaged in a lengthy argument with the umpire over a line call and from then on his game became increasingly ragged.
Broken at 3-3, the young Spaniard smashed his racket into the ground and though he recovered the break, Costa found a huge forehand to break again at 5-5 and made no mistake in serving out.
Robredo's body language told the story in set five and he could not summon the energy to unsettle the rampant Costa.
The defending champion took the last five games and won an epic contest with a drop shot, prompting Robredo to throw his racket at the net in disgust.
MMIX
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