HAMBURG, Germany, 17 May 2004 — World No. 1 Roger Federer ended Guillermo Coria’s claycourt run with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 victory in the Hamburg Masters final yesterday.
The Wimbledon and Australian Open champion stepped up a gear after a sluggish start, putting on an aggressive baseline display and confirming that he would be a serious contender at the French Open starting on May 24.
The Swiss all-rounder, who was in a class of his own in the last two sets, sealed victory with a service winner on his first match point after two hours and 20 minutes.
Argentine Coria, the defending champion and second seed, made a promising start but was then hampered by a blister on a finger of his right hand and could not keep up with the pace.
Coria had won 31 consecutive matches on clay including all 16 he had played this year and had not lost on the slow surface since his semi-final defeat at last year’s French Open.
Federer, 22, made his breakthrough by winning in Hamburg two years ago. His second round exit at last week’s Rome Masters had suggested he needed time to adapt to clay but his performances here this week designate him as a favorite for the French Open.
Mauresmo Outlasts Capriati for Long-Sought Rome Title
France’s Amelie Mauresmo yesterday fulfilled a career-long dream, finally winning the $1.3-million Italian Open after three losing finals.
The second seed collected her second title in as many weeks after Berlin seven days ago. In Rome, she overcame American Jennifer Capriati in a struggle lasting well over two hours, taking a dramatic 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (8-6) win.
Mauresmo was celebrating success on the clay, with her chances as a major threat at Roland Garros starting in a week looking better than ever.
The player lifted the Berlin trophy when Venus Williams couldn’t take to the court for their final due to an ankle injury which could derail the American’s chances in Paris.
Spain’s Costa Reigns on Schuettler Parade With Haas Win
In Dusseldorf, Germany’s Rainer Schuettler and Chile’s Fernando Gonzalez stole the show in the first day of the $2.1-million-euro ATP World Team Cup yesterday winning their first round matches in fine style.
Hosts Germany are one of the few nations to field a full-strength quartet and Schuettler, 28, needed just 90 minutes to defeat Spaniard Feliciano Lopez 6-3, 6-4 in front of the home fans.
Left hander Lopez, 22, made a lot of unforced errors to help Schuettler and was always second best against Monte Carlo runner-up Schuettler whose speed around the court proved decisive.
Reigning champions Chile were once again indebted to 23-year-old Gonzalez, who won all eight of his matches in this competition last year, for defeating Czech Radek Stepanek 6-3, 6-4.
Chile are level at 1-1 with last year’s finalists Czech Republic after Jiri Novak surprisingly crushed Nicolas Massu 7-6, 6-0 in the second red group match.
Germany and Spain, who are without Juan Carlos Ferrero and Carlos Moya, are also locked at 1-1 after former French Open winner Albert Costa cancelled out Schuettler’s victory with a 7-6, 6-2 win over German star Tommy Haas.
