Schedule Looks Fresh in France

The pre-French Open intrigue has been limited to wondering about the fitness of various players. There’s Marat Safin’s back, the shoulder of Tommy Haas, Venus Williams’ wrist and the shape of Felix Mantilla’s car.

In recent years, the day before the tournament has been dramatic--a last-minute withdrawal of a big-name player and reshuffling of the draw. But it was quiet on another sporadically rainy day at Roland Garros.

The Sunday withdrawal came on the men’s side, as 1998 semifinalist Mantilla pulled out because of rib injuries after a car accident Tuesday. A motorcyclist ran a red light, smacked into Mantilla’s car, and the air bag expanded full-throttle into the Spaniard’s ribs.

This is not exactly headline news, even in Spanish papers. Although he beat Pete Sampras on clay this spring--who hasn’t, lately?--Mantilla’s best days appear to have passed.

The curious development seemed to be today’s schedule. It looked more like the U.S. Open than the French Open. Scheduled on the main show court, Court Philippe Chatrier, were Venus Williams, three-time champion Gustavo Kuerten of Brazil, Sampras and Monica Seles.

Not a single French player.

Had Arlen Kantarian, the U.S. Tennis Assn.’s chief executive officer for professional tennis, somehow wrested control from tournament co-directors Alain Riou or Herve Dutriel?

The only things missing were an Ashley Harkleroad exhibition on Philippe Chatrier, or an Andy Roddick night match. (Granted, there are no official “night matches” here, thank goodness).

Instead, the great French hope, 15-year-old Richard Gasquet, and all-too-often-hyped Amelie Mauresmo were put on the second show court, Court Suzanne Lenglen, and the current top-ranked French female player, eighth-seeded Sandrine Testud, was dispatched to Court 1.

Retro marketing?

We have another take. How about refreshing?

Tennis officials throughout France are traditionally invited to take in matches at Suzanne Lenglen on the first day, so it makes sense for Gasquet and Mauresmo to play there.

Certainly, it makes sense to acknowledge Kuerten, who has won the last two French Opens, and Williams, the winner of four of the last seven Grand Slams, on Philippe Chatrier.

As for Sampras and Seles, another three-time winner, there is always the thought this could be their last appearance at the French Open.

As for Gasquet, playing on Suzanne Lenglen should lessen the pressure on the youngster, a wild-card entrant playing in his first Grand Slam event.

And perhaps a change would help the nervous Mauresmo, who was gone within the first few hours of the French Open last year, losing to the unheralded Jana Kandarr of Germany, on Philippe Chatrier. Mauresmo admitted she mentally melted down because of the overwhelming pressure and high expectations from French fans.

Last year, Mauresmo was one of the favorites, having won four of her five tournaments before Paris. That isn’t the case in 2002 with the talk centering on Italian Open champion Serena Williams, German Open champion Justine Henin of Belgium, defending champion Jennifer Capriati, 2001 French Open runner-up Kim Clijsters of Belgium and Venus Williams, who has an ideal draw in the early rounds.

The men’s field is considered to be more open, mainly because of Kuerten’s hip surgery in February. He is rounding into shape, gradually, and it wasn’t too long ago that he wasn’t even sure he would make it here.

“It’s a magic place,” Kuerten said.

He drew a heart on the court when he won his third French Open title last year, and those feelings motivated him to accelerate his comeback. Still, Kuerten is probably a few weeks short of ideal form and, more or less, gives Italian Open champion and 1999 French Open winner Andre Agassi the slight edge.

“I don’t see a guy who everybody is looking for as the one to beat these [last few] weeks,” Kuerten said. “Probably Agassi, who really played well in Rome, and we all know when he’s in good shape and playing well, he’s tough to beat. [Juan Carlos] Ferrero is the same.”

Ferrero, of Spain, has been suffering from a leg injury, and Safin hurt his back last week in Germany. Before the injuries, U.S. Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe placed them, along with Roger Federer and Agassi, on the top rung of contenders, and former champion Carlos Moya, Haas of Germany, Lleyton Hewitt of Australia and Roddick in the next group. Younes El Aynaoui of Morocco is McEnroe’s outside candidate.

Although Hewitt is the top-seeded player, he has not gathered much support from McEnroe or many others.

Only one of Hewitt’s titles has come on clay, and that was not on red clay.

“To me, Hewitt, he’s got a game you think would be good on clay,” McEnroe said. “But he doesn’t move as well on clay. He doesn’t hit as heavy a ball, which becomes more evident on clay than it does on a hard court because he can counterpunch on a fast court and use his speed. Whereas on clay, his normal shots just don’t have as much weight on them.

“I think clay is his worst surface. I think he’s got a better chance to win Wimbledon than he does the French.”