Rafael Nadal/Getty Images

Sluggers Vie for Roland Garros Title



May 24, 2005 - There's no shortage of challengers for the Roland Garros men's title as the stars of the game prepare to slug it out on the slow Parisien clay. Leading the way is Spain's Rafael Nadal, who will make his first appearance in Paris. The 18-year-old superstar has been on a tear in 2005. He has won five clay court championships this season and roars into this Grand Slam after recent victories in Monte-Carlo, Barcelona and Rome.

If the draw holds, Nadal will meet World No. 1 and top seed Roger Federer in the semi-finals. Federer--a four-time Grand Slam champ--has never gone beyond the quarters in Paris. Like Nadal, Federer has won five tournaments this season but he has only played in two clay court events. He won in a Masters Series title in Hamburg for the third year in a row but lost in the quarter-finals of Monte-Carlo to France's up-and-coming Richard Gasquet. Still, Federer can never be counted out.

Argentine Guillermo Coria also has a shot. As a finalist at the French Open last year, Coria has been a finalist this season in Monte-Carlo and Rome. On both occasions he lost to Nadal.

As well, look for Gaston Gaudio, the reigning Roland-Garros title-holder, to put on a show. This season, Gaudio has won three titles at Viña del Mar, Buenos Aires and Estoril. Americans in the hunt will be 35-year-old Andre Agassi, seeded No. 6 and the hard-hitting Andy Roddick, the No. 2 seed. Both have something to prove. Last year, Agassi went packing in the first round after being upset by Jerome Haehnel and Roddick departed in the second round losing to Olivier Mutis. But this year, the two Yankees face fairly easy draws until they meet one another in a possible quarterfinal matchup.

The best of the best in men's tennis are coming to Uniprix Stadium in Montreal for the 2005 Rogers Cup, August 6-14. To purchase tickets by phone please contact Louise Durand at (514) 273-1515, ext. 235, Admission at (514) 790-1245, or visit on-line at www.tenniscanada.com

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