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Hantuchova, Kafelnikov crash out
May 28, 2003 21:21 IST
Roland Garros heralded a bright new star on Wednesday before bidding a sad farewell to a fading one for perhaps the final time. Ashley Harkleroad -- the blonde-haired, blue-eyed future of American tennis -- entranced the Parisian public with her victory over ninth seed Daniela Hantuchova.
By contrast, Yevgeny Kafelnikov cut a sad and solitary figure as he lost in the second round and pondered retirement.
"It is a disappointment because the fact is I might not be back next year. It is as simple as that," he said, mulling his 6-4, 3-6, 6-0, 6-7, 6-4 defeat by Flavio Saretta.
Dull-eyed and listless, the former world number one continued: "If I was able to win tournaments like I did in the past I would continue but no good results have come this year. I'll continue until the end of this year but no promises."
As Kafelnikov sloped off, 18-year-old Harkleroad revelled in her new love affair with the French capital.
"I just love it here… just love it," the 18-year-old gushed. "There's so much electricity, I love being here."
The 7-6, 4-6, 9-7 victory over Hantuchova was a palpable achievement, one ground out on a stiflingly hot Court One.
That she was able to live up to all the hype speaks volumes for the teenager and suggests her affair with the French public could be an enduring one.
Colourful Moroccan Younes El Aynaoui continued his claycourt journey, whipping past Belgian Christophe Rochus 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 but Mikhail Youzhny joined compatriot Kafelnikov on the sidelines, beaten 3-6, 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 by Hungary's Attila Savolt.
Defending champion Serena Williams buried the hopes of Marie-Gaiane Mikaelian with a ruthless 6-3, 6-2 win in the second round.
The inexperienced Swiss was shell-shocked in the first set as the American world number one raced to a 4-0 lead.
Although Mikaelian managed to register on the scoreboard in the fifth game, the result never looked in doubt.
Williams wasted one match point before ending the 19-year-old's ordeal with an unreturnable serve on her second
Another former champion and world number one Carlos Moya is also in action on day three.
The Spanish fourth seed faces big-serving Mark Philippoussis of Australia.
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