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Journalism of Courage
Reality bit Tim Henman on Friday. It bit him hard and it hung on for four sets as Henman’s bid to become the first British French Open finalist in 67 years came to nothing. Guillermo Coria, the world’s best clay-courter, used all his specialist tools to end Henman’s run 3-6, 6-4, 6-0, 7-5.
‘‘That’s the way it goes, that’s sport,’’ Henman said.
Coria, on the other hand, was ecstatic. ‘‘What a fantastic battle,’’ he said. ‘‘He played well, took his chances at the net and the crowd really helped him. I am really happy to be in the final.’’
For a set and a half — Henman had led the second set 4-2 — the impossible had seemed within grasp. History, logic, wisdom and the weather were all stacked against him but under grey skies he defied all for an hour.
Then Coria broke the spell and set up an all-Argentine final against Gaston Gaudio. Unseeded Gaudio had earlier beaten compatriot David Nalbandian 6-3, 7-6, 6-0.
Both Henman and Coria were looking to reach their first Grand Slam final. The last Argentine to play in the title match here was Guillermo Vilas — the man after whom Coria was named — in 1982. The last Briton to make it was Bunny Austin in 1937.
Henman started sensationally, sending flying forehands into the corners of the court and slicing backhands deep. He was broken in the third game but allowed Coria just one more game in that set to clinch it 6-3 in 35 minutes.
Coria was rocked, and furious. He smashed his racket into the red clay, destroying the frame before tossing it into his bag courtside.
An early break in the second set put him in the driving seat and he looked to be heading towards a two-set lead before Coria struck back to break for 4-4. Screaming to urge himself on, the Argentine held comfortably to lead 5-4 and then earned two set points on Henman’s serve. He took the first, pummelling a second serve back at the Briton which was almost past Henman before he could react. Pumping his fist and bouncing back to his seat, the Argentine had broken the spell. From then on, despite aHenman resistance in the fourth, it was one-way traffic. ‘‘We’re guaranteed an Argentine winner now,’’ Coria said. ‘‘It is a childhood dream for me.’’
Gaudio had earlier taken advantage of a below-par performance from Nalbandian to win. ‘‘I never thought I was going to be in the final of the French Open,’’ said Gaudio, who broke down in tears after clinching victory. ‘‘I was thinking about all the effort I made when I was young and all the dreams about winning here so that is why I was a little emotional at the end.’’ (Reuters)
