Red-hot Rusedski powers past Portas

Barry Newcombe13 April 2012

Greg Rusedski pulled off one of the greatest clay-court victories of his career in the first round of the French championships at Roland Garros today.

Britain's No 2 beat Alberto Portas of Spain in straight sets 6-4, 7-5, 6-1 in an hour and 52 minutes.

Portas is ranked 29 places above Rusedski but the British left-hander showed lots of spirit to triumph.

He recovered from a series of setbacks in the second set when Portas swept into a 5-0 lead and looked ready to take command.

Rusedski won the next seven games to take the second set and leave Portas stunned.

When Rusedski came through an arduous fifth game in the third set to lead 4-1 it was clear that Portas had no fight left in him and a delighted Rusedski surged on to win on his first match point with a volley.

Meanwhile, Andre Agassi, who has won all four Grand Slam titles, today rated the French championships as the most difficult of them all.

The Australian Open champion, who today beat Sweden's Thomas Johansson 6-2, 6-3, 7-6 said: "This is the most difficult tournament it always has been.

"It requires the most physically and mentally.You need a lot of patience and discipline on your shot selection."

Russia's Marat Safin admitted he is worried about his fitness for this event and for Wimbledon next month.

Safin beat Markus Hipfl of Austria 6-3, 6-3, 6-7, 6-1 but said his back injury is still causing him problems. The No 2 seed said: "It is a problem but perhaps it is a matter of time.

"If I had not been injured my year would have been a different story. But when you are injured you can't serve or do anything.

"For Wimbledon I want to play in two tournaments before and play as much on grass as I can. I have not played on grass since last year so I will need the time."

Magnus Norman of Sweden, runner-up to Gustavo Kuerten last year, went out to the Spaniard David Sanchez who won 4-6, 4-6, 7-6, 6-1, 6-2.

Fourth-seed Jennifer Capriati shrugged off an indifferent start against the 21-year-old Emilie Loit of France to claim that she could build on her win in the Australian Open in January and head on towards a Grand Slam.

Capriati defeated Loit 6-2, 7-5 taking five games in a row for victory.

But Capriati, tentative in the mid-day humidity, had to save two set points in the second set.

The American said: "Winning the Australian has given me a lot of confidence, for sure.

"It has made me more eager to win and to work hard to try to continue it.

"If I can just maintain the same level of fitness, work hard and mentally stay focused, I don't see myself going backwards.

"I just expect to go out there and give 100 per cent and play well. I am doing all the work so I have just got to go out there and play."

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