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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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MAGNUS OPUS: NORMAN DESTROYS MEDVEDEVContinuing his near-perfect play during the fortnight, sweet-swinging Swede Magnus Norman destroyed 1999 finalist Andrei Medvedev 6-0 6-4 6-2 and charged into the quarter finals on Monday. "If I'm playing like that, I'm difficult to beat," said Norman, who will play Marat Safin in the quarters. "When I'm playing my best, the guys know I'm tough. That's an advantage." In a rain-delayed contest played on Court Suzanne Lenglen, Norman took advantage of the slow clay and a slightly under-the-weather?edvedev by dominating the center of the court, committing only 30 unforced errors and spanking 34 winners. For his part, Medvedev played a less than inspired, erratic match, spraying 51 unforced errors in the one hour and 33 minute contest. "I had my 'down day' today," Medvedev said. "Magnus took full advantage of it. He played great. I didn't capitalize on one single chance that I created for myself. That's a shame." No3 Norman, who won the prestigious title in Rome a few weeks ago, said he is playing the best tennis of his life. "My game is at the peak right now," he said. "I'm just an average guy who has been working like crazy for many years to be able to win a Grand Slam. Here I am in the quarter finals. I'm going to give 110 percent to be able to fulfill my dreams." The big Swede seems to be getting better every match, crushing deep balls to the corners with his low-slinging forehand and statuesque two-handed backhand. Medvedev couldn't find any holes in his armor. "He has a solid serve, groundstrokes, he moves well, his mind is in the right place. Basically, they're the components you need to win. You don't need to be something flashy to be good," Medvedev said. "When he has to?et up, he is very dangerous. He seems to have every side very solid, and doesn't have obvious weaknesses. That's why he's No1 [in the ATP Tour Points race]." Norman, who reached the 2000 Australian Open semi finals, said that he is on a one-year roll, that began after he crashed out of 1999 Roland Garros in the first round to Bernd Karbacher. "That was the last time I played really bad," he said. "Up to Roland Garros last year, I played terrible. Last year here, I played one of my worst matches ever. I felt terrible. What could I do? I forgot about it and then at Wimbledon against Fabrice Santoro, everything turned around. I've been progressing every day since then. But I don't take it for granted, I work six hours a day. Not everybody can do that." Medvedev, one of the most delightful characters on tour, said he was proud of the way he performed throughout the week. "I tried to do it with honor," he said. "Sometimes I failed, but I gave my heart away. I gave everything I had." Source: French Open
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