| | Associated Press
PARIS -- Argentina's Franco Squillari, the surprise
of the French Open, is just starting to believe he can win.
"When I started coaching him, he was playing very well but not
winning a single match and ranked No. 427 in the world," said his
coach, Horacio de la Pena. "In less than six months, he was in the
top 100. It was all a question of confidence."
The unseeded Squillari became the first Argentine since 1982 to
reach a Grand Slam men's semifinal when he beat Albert Costa 6-4,
6-4, 2-6, 6-4 Wednesday at the French Open. He'll play third-seeded
Magnus Norman in the semifinals Friday.
De la Pena, 33, described Squillari a shy young man who doesn't
realize how powerful he is.
"He doesn't see his strength, he doesn't see how the other guy
is suffering out there when they're playing," he said.
Squillari, 23, couldn't agree more.
"Horacio brings me confidence," Squillari said. "He has me
believing in myself no matter who I'm playing, even if it's
Sampras, or whether I'm at the U.S. Open or Wimbledon. He's
convinced I can win, and somehow, I do."
Asked about Squillari's tendency to play six feet behind the
baseline, de la Pena said that's where Squillari finds his rhythm.
"When I started coaching him, I tried to make him play where he
feels comfortable. That was the problem before - everyone tried to
make him play at the baseline. That's not his tennis."
Peace of mind for Pierce
Mary Pierce has a new look -- no glasses or contacts,
thanks to laser surgery in February that has given her 20-20
vision. She has also taken off the dangling gold chains and
replaced them with white rosary beads she tucks into the top of her
low-cut tennis dress.
According to French television, the rosary beads come straight
from the Vatican.
Pierce, seeded sixth, will play in the French Open semifinals
Thursday against top-seeded Martina Hingis.
Displaying a more relaxed attitude both on and off the court,
Pierce said her new outlook comes from having "God in my life."
"My relationship with God is basically very simple. I put
everything in God's hands. I just don't worry. Whatever happens.
That's made a huge difference in my tennis game, as it has in my
life," she said.
Rosewall: Not like the good ol' days
Thirty-two years after he won his last
French Open title, Australian Ken Rosewall was back in Paris on
Wednesday, competing in the Legends' Trophy and teamed with Fred
Stolle.
Rosewall, 66, said tennis has changed dramatically since the
years when he dominated the men's circuit.
Back in 1968 when student riots paralyzed the nation, bringing
France to the brink of civil war, Rosewall had nowhere to stay.
Today, millionaire players can afford to stay in the finest
Paris hotels and are chauffeured to and from Roland Garros.
"There were so many problems in Paris that Philippe Chatrier
(later president of the French and International Tennis
Federations) put me up in his own home," he said.
Drop shots
Magnus Norman did not lose a set in his first four matches at this year?s French Open. He finally lost a set, the third set against Marat Safin on Tuesday. ... Norman is trying to become the first Swede to win the French Open men?s singles title since Mats Wilander in 1988. If Norman does win, that would mark the 11th time a Swede has won, tying Australia and the United States for the most men?s singles titles by country. ... Norman is also trying to become the highest seed (No. 3) to win the French men?s singles since 1992 when Jim Courier won as the top seed. ... This is Squillari?s best Grand Slam singles finish. He lost in the third round of this year?s Australian Open to Slava Dosedel, his prior best Grand Slam finish. ... The only Argentinian to win the French men?s singles title was Guillermo Vilas in 1977.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
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