THOMAS ENQVIST prevented Yevgeny Kafelnikov from completing a unique French double by beating the Russian 6-2, 6-4, 7-5, in the Paris Open final yesterday.

The French Open champion, who lost for the first time in three successive tournaments in France, was looking to add the Bercy title to his Grand Slam triumph at Roland Garros in June.

"I played probably the best match of my life," said the 12th seeded Swede, who did not drop a set in a tournament that saw: nine seeds, including number one and holder Pete Sampras, tumble in the second round.

"I was in a zone today. I felt like I couldn't lose."

Fourth seed Kalelnikov and with that assessment, saying: "He was on top of me from the beginning and never gave me a chance to come to the net.

"When I made good shots, he made better shots."

Enqvist, who returns to the top 10 in the ATP world rankings issued on Monday, raced to the opening set in only 21 minutes.

He broke Kafelnikov, also the Lyon title holder, twice on his way to a 4-0 lead.

The Russian, who still climbs one place to a world ranking of third after this tournament, struggled to find his touch.

Though he won his service emphatically a few times and looked like he might turn the match in his favour, Enqvist stamped his authority back on the match.

Enqvist sewed up the second set in 32 minutes and the match in 87 minutes, serving three of his 20 aces in the final game.