Tennis: Roddick Baffled By Clay Again

Andy Roddick, the world No 3, remains no nearer solving his European clay-court inadequacies after losing 3-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 8-6 against José Acasuso of Argentina yesterday. The American also lost in the second round last year and has now won a meagre four matches in five visits to Roland Garros since 2001.

With James Blake and Vince Spadea also being defeated yesterday the United States were left with no male players in the last 32 for the second successive year, thus equalling their worst-ever showing at any grand slam in the Open era.

Roddick was understandably glum. He had begun to think, after winning on clay in Houston last month, that he was beginning to crack the enigma, but visits to Rome and Hamburg saw him win only twice and yesterday he floundered again.

His problems are multiple. His huge serve and blistering forehand are tempered by the dirt, while his suspect technique on his double-fisted backhand is mercilessly exposed. Acasuso stuck in after losing the first two sets and inevitably his greater variety of shot saw him take control.

"I hate it," said Roddick, whose one grand slam title to date came two years ago at the US Open. He was also runner-up to Roger Federer at Wimbledon last year. "I want to win here so badly and this is terrible."

It is a peculiar fact that the more feminine and flamboyant the playing attire of the leading women players becomes these days, with pink the predominant colour at Roland Garros this spring, the more masculine is their style of play. Huge crashing forehand, ripping serves and clumping backhands, many of them accompanied by grunts and groans that would frighten the most passive of horses.

Maria Sharapova, the Wimbledon champion, so upped the power and volume against France's Aravane Rezai yesterday that those who had left their seats around the Philippe Chatrier court in search of lunch may been tempted to desert altogether inorder to find a little peace and quiet.

Sharapova, whose new dress resembles a pinny, although you would not let her near the washing-up for fear of breakages, is the epitome of the modern women's game and obviously rather better at it than the majority. Yet for a few games it seemed that Rezai, also 18,and making her slam debut, might cause an upset.

The youngster from St-Etienne, ranked No244, also gave the ball an almighty belt, achieving such levels of feroc ity that Sharapova found herself briefly outhit and, consequently, outmanoeuvred and went 3-1 down in the opening set. Of course, what always singles out the leading players, in whatever year, is their mental strength, and the Russian world No2 possesses a level of concentration second to none.

Sharapova duly won 6-3, 6-2 and thereafter was able to spend a little time discussing the more intimate details of her career. "The whole process has inspired me," she enthused. Winning Wimbledon perhaps? A perfect fore hand? Not quite. Actually, it was a photo-shoot in New York for her own brand of perfume. Dab a little behind the ears and you too can shout as loud.

Clay is Sharapova's least favourite surface, although she does not hate it as much as Roddick. Martina Navratilova, who is playing doubles here with Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, is leaning towards the Belgians Kim Clijsters or Justine Henin-Hardenne to become the champion a week on Saturday.

"They are the most comfortable on this court. Justine has already done it, and Kim has twice come very close," said Navratilova.

Henin, the 2003 champion, reached the third round with a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Virginia Ruano Pascual of Spain, although it was not without a back twinge that needed treatment.

"I've had the problem for a few weeks but this was a slightly different pain, so I had it looked at," she said.

It sometimes feels, since she won her third slam title in Australia at the start of 2004, that her life has consisted of every varying degree of pain and illness. It has almost become her inspiration - and makes a change from personalised perfumes.