TENNIS/French Open: Marat Safin of Russia, the world number two, and this year's beaten Australian Open finalist, is the last man standing this morning who can prevent an all-Spanish final on Sunday. Many had hoped that Andre Agassi would make it to today's semi-finals, and beyond, but he eventually succumbed 6-3, 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 to the youthful vigour and power of Juan Carlos Ferrero.
Agassi was understandably disappointed, having arrived in Paris as the newly-minted Italian Open champion, and feeling exceptionally confident. But a grand slam, with its five-set format, is a considerably more severe test, and Agassi had already shown signs of wavering in his quarter-final against France's Paul-Henri Mathieu.
"I suppose for me the French Open has always been the most difficult one to win," said 32-year-old Agassi. His triumph at Roland Garros three years ago was the stuff of tennis legend, and one that now seems unlikely to be repeated.
However, Agassi still fancies his chances at Wimbledon, a title he won 10 years ago, and where he has been runner-up and twice semi-finalist over the last three years.
"I'm certainly aware of the opportunities being fewer and fewer, but I still like my game in most scenarios, and maybe I'll be able to take my opportunity at Wimbledon."
Today's semi-final against Safin will be Ferrero's third in succession at the French Open, having previously lost on both occasions to Brazil's Gustavo Kuerten, who went on to take the title. But Safin, who crushed France's Sebastien Grosjean 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 yesterday, is a ferocious hitter, and holds a 3-2 career advantage over Ferrero.
In the other all-Spanish semi-final, Albert Costa plays Alex Corretja, last year's beaten finalist. Corretja needed only three games to finish off his match 7-6, 7-5, 7-5 against Romania's Andrei Pavel, whose wife gave birth to a son on Wednesday night. Never has a player lost with as much joy.
In the women's game, Serena Williams has promised to play a true match after setting up a fantasy French Open final with sister Venus.
Seeking her second grand slam title, after the US Open three years ago, Serena ended the challenge of defending champion Jennifer Capriati yesterday.
And Venus trounced unseeded Argentinian Clarisa Fernandez and will be favourite for tomorrow's final.
They have met before in high-profile matches which have failed to meet expectations, but Serena pledged to give her all for victory this weekend.
The 20-year-old was a 3-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 winner against Capriati.
"It will be tough to meet Venus again," she said, in reference to last year's US Open final, "but this time I want to win," she added.
"Before it was hard to play against her because we are sisters, but now it's like any other game.
"Neither of us ever won here at Roland Garros and I want it to be me this time, but I am sure she wants victory as much as me.
"Obviously my tennis is a lot better than last year, but we are both playing great on clay at the moment and we'll have to keep our focus."
MEN
Singles Quarter-finals: (18) Alex Corretja (Spa) bt (22) Andrei Pavel (Rom) 7-6 (7-5) 7-5 7-5, (11) Juan Carlos Ferrero (Spa) bt (4) Andre Agassi (USA) 6-3 5-7 7-5 6-3, (2) Marat Safin (Rus) bt (10) Sebastien Grosjean (Fra) 6-3 6-2 6-2.
Doubles Semi-finals: (2) Mark Knowles (Bah) and Daniel Nestor (Can) bt (14) Tomas Cibulec (Cze) and Leander Paes (Ind) 7-6 (7-5) 7-5, Paul Haarhuis (Ned) and Yevgeny Kafelnikov (Rus) bt (3) Mahesh Bhupathi (Ind) and Max Mirnyi (Blr) 6-7 (1-7) 7-5 6-2.
WOMEN
Singles Semi-finals: (3) Serena Williams (USA) bt (1) Jennifer Capriati (USA) 3-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-2, (2) Venus Williams (USA) bt Clarisa Fernandez (Arg) 6-1 6-4.
Doubles Quarter-finals: (1) Lisa Raymond (USA) and Rennae Stubbs (Aus) bt Shinobu Asagoe (Jpn) and Trudi Musgrave (Aus) 6-0 6-2, (2) Virginia Ruano Pascual (Spa) and Paola Suarez (Arg) bt (6) Sandrine Testud (Fra) and Roberta Vinci (Ita) 6-4 6-3, (9) Nicole Arendt (USA) and Liezel Huber (Rsa) bt Rita Grande (Ita) and Patty Schnyder (Swi) 6-4 7-6 (8-6).
