Sunday, August 12, 2001
Rafter in third straight final
After two defeats, Aussie vows different approach
By Michael Perry
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Patrick Rafter rushes the net.
(Jeff Swinger photos)
| ZOOM |
|
MASON — Patrick Rafter lost in the finals at Wimbledon. Then he lost in the finals at Tennis Masters Series Canada a week ago. The popular Australian has advanced to a championship match for the third straight tournament, and he vows to approach it differently.
Rafter, the ATP's hottest player, plays today for the Tennis Masters Series Cincinnati title.
His opponent? Well, that isn't known yet. The second semifinal was postponed at 12:15 a.m. today after a second rain delay — with Gustavo Kuerten leading Tim Henman 6-2, 1-5 — and will resume at 11:30 a.m. today.
|
TODAY'S GUIDE
|
• 11 a.m.: Doubles semifinal on grandstand court.
• 11:30 a.m.: Kuerten vs. Henman resumes.
• 1 p.m.: Singles final.
• Doubles final follows singles.
• Television: 1-3 p.m., CBS (live)
|
Earlier in the week, Rafter said he has always tried to look at a final “like any other match.” Not today.
“I'm going to go out there and be really pumped up this time,” he said. “Hopefully, it will work.”
The Cincinnati tournament will have an all-top-10 final for the 15th time in 17 years.
Kuerten is No. 1 in the world, Rafter 8 and Henman 7.
Since the Cincinnati tournament - which has gone by several names over the years - began seeding players in 1927, only once has a player not seeded Nos. 1-7 won: unseeded Miguel Olvera in 1960.
Rafter hits a return with his back to the net.
| ZOOM |
|
Rafter could become the second. Should he win, it would be his first title this year. Kuerten has won five in 2001, Henman one.
This is Rafter's third trip to the finals here in his last three appearances; he defeated Pete Sampras in 1998, lost to Sampras in '99 and didn't play here last year because of a shoulder injury. He has won 14 of his past 15 matches at the ATP Tennis Center.
Rafter, 28, has said he plans to take six months off near the end of the year, and he may not return to tennis. Ever.
If that's the case, he could go out on top.
Lleyton Hewitt, who lost to Rafter 6-4, 6-3 Saturday, said, “He's probably playing the best tennis he's ever played, and he's playing maybe as good as anyone in the world right now.”
Greg Rusedski, who lost to Rafter on Friday, called him the favorite to win the U.S. Open, which starts Aug. 27. “If he gets past the first round, he's pretty dangerous,” Rusedski said.
Rafter won the U.S. Open in 1997 and '98.
He has faced Henman five times and leads the series 3-2. Rafter and Kuerten have split their previous six meetings.
In 1998, Rafter was the hottest player on tour when he faced Sampras - then No. 1 in the world - and beat him for the Cincinnati title. He would face a No. 1 in the final again, if Kuerten gets there.
“I'm a lot more confident playing Guga than if I'd be playing Pete,” Rafter said. “With Guga, I feel like I can go out and beat him at least 50 percent of the time. I'm sure he has the same attitude about me.
“But ... you never feel confident playing Pete. (You) just hope you get close and give yourself an opportunity to win. Pete's one of the greatest players of all time.”
Rafter has played Kuerten only once on hard courts, winning in Hong Kong in 2000.
“I think the conditions here suit my game pretty well,” Rafter said. “Guga is a great champion, and he'll know what to do and how to play me.”
Henman lost to Thomas Enqvist here last year in his only Tennis Masters Series final. He has never reached a Grand Slam final.
“I played very well against Timmy this year in the Australian Open,” Rafter said of his 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 victory in January. “(That) was definitely the best match I played against him. And he's played some good matches against me, as well.”
Sports Stories
Reds 7, Rockies 3
Graves might be starter next year
Young producing in sixth spot
Reese misses fourth game to illness
Reds honor Super Mario
Rijo pitches for Louisville today
Forged autographs cost collectors dearly
Bobbleheads a hit with sports fans, collectors
Janszen: Here's my story on Pete Rose
Five Questions with Eric Davis
Fan's eye view of the Reds
Reds box, runs
Bengals QBs need more help from line
Rafter in third straight final
