Bills and taxes are no longer a concern, at least for the moment. All Nicolas Coutelot has to worry about is fellow Frenchman Arnaud Clement.
They’ll play in the third round on Saturday at the French Open, where Coutelot has become the most captivating story of the first week. He beat Davide Sanguinetti in the opening round, then outlasted 2002 Wimbledon runner-up David Nalbandian on Thursday, 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 2-6, 6-1.
Not bad for a player ranked 208th who arrived at Roland Garros without a victory at the tour level this year.
”I’m not afraid of anyone,” said Coutelot, a 26-year-old native of Strasbourg in eastern France.
”It would be incredible if I got all the way to the end. If I said I can win the French Open, well, people think I’m mad. If you like, I’m mad.”
If Coutelot is wrong and loses his next match, he’ll still receive $40 800 — more than his annual average in prize money since turning pro in 1995.
”It’s hard because there are bills to pay, taxes to pay,” he said after his first-round win.
”People think we all drive around in Porsches. If you like, I’ll take you to the parking lot and show you what I drive around in.”
While Coutelot enjoys his ride at Roland Garros, several top players find themselves struggling to stay in the chase. Defending champion Albert Costa has played two five-set matches, each lasting precisely three hours, 38 minutes. On Thursday he edged Radek Stepanek 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.
No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt has played more than 6 1/2 hours in two wins. He reached the third round by beating Nikolay Davydenko 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5). Three-time champion Gustavo Kuerten had an easier time, routing Hicham Arazi 6-1, 6-0, 6-1.
In women’s play, No. 2-seeded Kim Clijsters, No. 3 Venus Williams, No. 6 Lindsay Davenport and No. 7 Jennifer Capriati advanced. Only Williams was extended to three sets before she secured a 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 victory over Evie Dominikovic, who took satisfaction in coming close.
”I was happy I was playing Venus and not Serena,” the Australian said.
Coutelot’s five-setter was just the second of his career, and he described the experience as frightening. In the fifth set his stomach hurt, and on a warm
afternoon he said he felt cold.
But he played some of his best tennis down the stretch, while Nalbandian faded, smashing his racket several times in frustration.
Coutelot complained in vain to the chair umpire that Nalbandian should have received a warning.
”I just ask, ‘If we can break two, three, four rackets, tell me, because I’m going to enjoy it, too,”’ Coutelot said.
When the match ended, the players shook hands at the net and then debated the matter, their conversation growing increasingly animated. It briefly appeared as if a fight might break out.
”It’s not against him, and he understood that,” Coutelot said.
”David is a good friend of mine. He just told me, ‘Come on, don’t ask the chair umpire to give a warning. I’m your friend.”’
Now Coutelot faces another friend in Clement, a top-40 player trying to reach the fourth round at Roland Garros for the first time.
”At least there’s one Frenchman going through to the second week,” Clement said.
”Cout is very talented. He’s got wonderful shots, particularly the forehand.”
Clement has been the more successful pro, but Coutelot said he was the better player when they were grammar-school rivals in 1990.
”At the time, he was really no good at all,” Coutelot said. ”I think it will be different this time around. He’s a bit mad for all those 6-1, 6-1 scores we got past him when he was 12.” – Sapa-AP