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Entry system ranking: 143 (282 points (-1))

Champions Race: 126 (7 points)(-3)

Current tournament: 

TMS Monte Carlos

Place: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Date: April 15-21, 2002
Draw Size: 64
Surface: Clay
Prize Money: US $ 2,578,000
Stadium Court Seating: 7,000           Tournament Director: Francis Truchi        

Next tournament:

BMW Open

Thanks Ivanna for the photo! (Norman in Bueno Aires)

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Sweden Complete 4-1 Victory over Russia in Malmo

Sweden completed a 4-1 victory over Russia in their Davis Cup by NEC quarterfinal tie in Malmo this afternoon. In today's dead rubbers, Magnus Norman was defeated 6-3 3-6 6-1 by Andrei Stoliarov, deputising for Russian No. 1 Yevgeny Kafelnikov, before Thomas Johansson saw off 18-year-old Mikhail Youzhny 6-3 2-6 6-2.

With nothing but pride at stake, both Norman and Stoliarov struggled to find their best form. It was the Russian, making his Davis Cup debut at the age of 24, who made the brighter start, breaking Norman in the sixth game to take the opening set. A single break of serve allowed the Swede to level the match, but he fell away to lose the last five games of the final set.

Norman admitted afterwards that he had viewed the encounter as a practice match. "It is more difficult to get motivated for a dead rubber. I am sure I would have played better if the match was still alive. I went for my shots a little bit more today, but I wasn't moving one hundred percent and didn't volley very well. I still need to get my game going this year."

His opponent was satisfied with his debut victory, but said he did not expect to be making many appearances for Russia. "We have two very good players in the top 10 and I hope I can remain in the team. We had a good chance to win the trophy this year and I am confident about our future."

The second match of the day was a livelier affair, with 25-year-old Johansson showing typical fighting spirit to see off the challenge of his youthful opponent. Youzhny, adopting the same aggressive approach as on the opening day, broke the Swede twice to take the second set, but Johansson raised his game to win the first four games of the decider. He completed his second victory of the weekend when the Russian netted a backhand.

Afterwards Johansson confessed that it was tough to go out and play today. "Mikhail is a good player and he really wanted to win. I was quite tired from my match on Friday so I wanted to finish as quickly as possible. I was pretty pleased with my overall performance."

Afterwards a delighted Swedish Captain Carl-Axl Hageskog paid tribute to his squad. "The whole team has worked hard and everyone performed well. They had at least one win each, so it was a great team effort. Thomas Johansson has played some fantastic tennis, and I was really pleased the way the guys treated Simon Aspelin. It's not easy to come into a team or to win your first match."

"After losing in the Davis Cup final in Malmo in 1996 I was afraid to come back here. Since that defeat I have always sat on the left side of the umpire's chair, but I had to sit on the right hand side this weekend, and it worked."

Sweden now face an away trip to either Australia or Brazil from 21-23 September.

Source: Davis Cup Website