Safin Too Tough for the Wild Card

Marat Safin, who made such a spectacular entrance on to the grand slam stage four years ago at Roland Garros when he defeated Andre Agassi in the first round, reached his second French Open quarter-final within three years yesterday with a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Arnaud di Pasquale, a French wild card.

When Safin won the US Open in 2000, crushing Pete Sampras in the final, it appeared he might be on the verge of dominating the world game, but a back injury last year, coupled with the 22-year-old Russian's wayward and at times volatile temperament, saw him slip out of the top 10.

However, he was back to something close to his best at the beginning of this year, reaching the final of the Australian Open, which he should have won against Thomas Johansson.

Having spent many of his formative years playing in Spain, Safin has always had a feel for clay and he came into this year's French Open as the No2 seed determined to prove himself.

Di Pasquale, rated as one of France's most talented youngsters five years ago, reached the fourth round at Roland Garros as a 20-year-old in 1999, but he has since suffered with injury problems. He had left knee surgery last year, and although he is clearly returning to something like his old form Safin, after a first-set glitch, overpowered him thereafter.

Sébastien Grosjean, who was beaten in the semi-finals by Spain's Alex Corretja here last year, had a relatively straightforward 6-2, 7-5, 6-3 win against Xavier Malisse, the young Belgian who defeated Tim Henman in the second round.

Both players have quick hands and feet, and it was a match of variety, with the Frenchman, ranked No10 in the world, always having the edge but taking some considerable time to finish matters off.

So the French, who began the day with three players left in the men's draw, were reduced to one. Their hopes now rest on Grosjean, who also reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open last year, and was runner-up to Lleyton Hewitt, the world No1, in the final of the Tennis Masters Cup.