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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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Sweet Day For A SwedeIt was a sweet day for Swede Magnus Norman when he sailed into his first career Grand Slam final at Roland Garros Friday afternoon. In a run that started in 1999, the 24-year-old Norman is making a name for himself in men's tennis as of late. His latest success was a swift 6-1 6-4 6-3 victory over unseeded Argentinian Franco Squillari to move into the men's final. "I was very happy with the way I played today," Norman said. "I'm very happy with the way it turned out, that it was so quick as it was, I still feel fresh. I'm really motivated for Sunday. As I said, I always give 110 percent. If you see me on Court 21 practicing or if you see me in the woods surrounding me, I'm giving it 110 percent." Last year, Norman had the distinction of joining some very important company - he was one of three players to win five tournaments during the season. The Swede won Orlando, Stuttgart Outdoor, Umag, Long Island and Shanghai. Oh, and the other two guys were named Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras. There's no denying, however, that even though Norman attained his first ever Grand Slam final berth today - he only reached his first ever Grand Slam semi final in January at the Australian Open - he's hardly considered a household name. But Norman, who is pretty much the model of the typical soft-spoken, quiet Swedish tennis player, although he's been known to occasionally show a temper on-court, is wondering if his lack of notoriety is about to change. "You never know, but I'm going to give it a try," said Norman, who said he walks unnoticed on the famed Champs Elysee. "I love Paris, I love this city and I love seeing the old buildings. I'm going to see if I go around tonight and see if people recognize me now." As the third-seeded player here, Norman is the highest seed remaining in the draw - after the second round departure of top-seeded Andre Agassi and first round loss of second-seeded Pete Sampras. The truth is that there was hardly a competition out there between Norman and Squillari during the one hour, 29 minute match this afternoon. Squillari managed to break Norman's serve on the one opportunity presented, in the fourth game of the first set. Nevertheless, except for that momentary lapse on Norman's part, the Swede was far too solid on his serve, only giving up a total of 18 points on serve in his 12 service games. In four service games in the first set, he gave up six points. In four service games in the second set, he gave up seven points. In four service games in the third set, he gave up five points. One of the notable hard workers on the tour, Norman was a victim of nerves in his first outing in a Grand Slam semi final (losing a quick 6-1 6-2 6-4 match to Yevgeny Kafelnikov) and today he wasn't going to blunder again. "You know, down in Australia, the things got a little bit too big to me," Norman said. "I admit it right after that match, I was very nervous. It was too big for me. "Today, I had a lot of confidence in myself. I said to myself, 'I've been here before. This is my day. I'm going to do everything I can to be able to be in the finals'." Norman is of the mindset that work, work, work produces results, results, results. The game plan seems to be on course as he steps into his first Grand Slam final, however, finds the Swede battling a kind of different problem. "Relax - that's like, the hardest thing for me to do," Norman revealed, smiling, after the match. "I mean, really. You guys may thing I'm crazy, making this up, but it's the truth, you know. It's always been like that. "Right now, I just feel like to go out and practice again," said the Swede, who admits he's got a fair way to go before he ranks alongside his fellow countrymen Bjorn Borg, Stefan Edberg and Mats Wilander in the Grand Slam tally. "If I win on Sunday, that means I have one Grand Slam title. They have many Grand Slam titles, but it's a beginning, right? You have to start somewhere." Another thing Norman is starting to have difficulty with is explaining his relationship with Martina Hingis, who went out of the women's competition in Thursday's semi final to Mary Pierce. "That's my private life and you guys have to understand that," Norman said when queried about their relationship. "Obviously, she's a very good friend. I'm disappointed that she lost last night. But that's my private life and I really don't want to talk about that." For Squillari, reaching a Grand Slam semi final was a new experience and his opponent, who was in a similar position at the Australian Open, suspected the Argentinian must have been nervous. Certainly, adding to the nervousness might have been the presence of idol Guillermo Vilas, a four-time Grand Slam champion from Argentina, watching him from the stands. Despite an inability to infiltrate Norman's steady game, Squillari is seeing a new version of himself and is hoping to keep the momentum going. "It's true that now I'm among the best players in the world," Squillari said. "The new challenge I have is to maintain this level and even improve my ranking if I can, but anyway to maintain my present level Source: French Open
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