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Entry system ranking: 143 (282 points (-1)) Champions Race: 126 (7 points)(-3) Current tournament: Place: Monte Carlo, Monaco Next tournament:
Place: Munich, Germany
Date: April 29 - May 5, 2002 Draw Size: 32 Surface: Clay Prize Money: US $381,000 Stadium Court Seating: 3,800 Tournament Director: Rudi Berger Website: www.iphitos.de
Thanks Ivanna for the photo! (Norman in Bueno Aires)
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Marvellous Magnus Wins at RomeMagnus Norman is the new Tennis Masters Series Roma champion after the Swede proved too strong for Gustavo Kuerten, winning todayís final 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4. "It hasn't really sunk in yet," admitted a delighted Norman after the match. "It's all a bit much for me to take in. It's really a great day for Swedish sport." In a match of enduring quality, Norman was the stronger player overall, maintaining concentration and pounding groundstrokes with accuracy and consistency. Kuerten tried everything to disturb the Swede's rhythm, mixing dropshots and lobs with clever angled backhands, but to no avail. Norman was equal to everything sent at him, showing a surprising speed and agility for a tall man. A packed court Centrale was enthralled by the contest, and though most were confirmed Kuerten fans, they contributed to a memorable afternoon. "The atmosphere was great," said the new champion. "Even though the crowd was on Guga's side, it was wonderful to play in a place like this." The Swede started like rocket, blasting through to a 5-0 lead before Kuerten had time to draw breath. Gradually the Brazilian began to find his form, reducing the deficit to 5-3 before Norman reasserted his authority and served out for a one set lead. "When I won the first set, I thought it might be an easy afternoon for me for me but things were a little different in the second," admitted Norman after the match. Serving first in the second, Kuerten finally began to make in roads into the Norman game, taking advantage when the Swedeís serve faltered at 5-4 to level the contest at a set all. The typically excitable Italian crowd roared itís approval, finally drowning out the sound form the soccer stadium next door, where local team Lazio were playing Roma. The third set proved the turning point of the match, with Kuerten losing serve early only to break back immediately. The pair exchanged breaks one more before Norman once more gained the decisive advantage in the seventh game, and held off Kuerten to take a 2 sets to 1 lead. Source: Italian Open
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