Tony Becca - FROM THE BOUNDARYONE OF the fascinating things about sport is its unpredictability - the triumph of the underdog over the red-hot favourite, the conquest by a greenhorn over an experienced pro and the dramatic turnaround when an obvious loser suddenly becomes the unexpected winner.
That is the greatness of sport and, so far, the French Open in Paris has produced enough to whet the appetite and to keep tennis fans around the world, and sports fans in general, glued to their television sets and waiting for more.
On day one, Jerome Haehnel, a 23-year-old Frenchman ranked No. 271 in the world and playing in his first ATP match, in his first Grand Slam, shocked the gathering at Roland Garros with a stunning straight sets 6-4, 7-6, 6-3 victory over Andre Agassi the former champion, the No. 6 seed, and eight times a Grand Slam champion; on day two, Jennifer Capriati, the seventh seed and a Grand Slam winner on more than one occasion, had to dig deep to overcome the challenge of Yulia Beygelzimmer a 20-year-old newcomer from the Ukraine; and on day three, Justin Henin-Hardenne, three times a Grand Slam winner and the defending champion, was knocked out by Tathiana Garbin, the 26-year-old Italian ranked at number 86.
As far as upsets are concerned, Agassi's defeat in the first round by one who had to come through the qualifying tournament is considered by the experts the biggest in Grand Slam history. Although she was not 100 per cent fit, Henin-Hardenne's defeat was a shocker, and after winning the first set at 6-2, after leading 3-0 in the second and losing 4-6, and after trailing 0-3 in the decider and coming back to win 6-4 after winning five straight games to lead 5-3, Capriati's effort must be ranked among the great recoveries of all time.
As good as it was, however, Capriati's comeback paled in comparison to that of Lisa Raymond on opening day.
Ranked at 29 and up against Lubomira Kurhajcova, the Slovenian ranked at 59, the American lost the first set 6-0 and was down 5-0 and 30-0 before recovering to win the match.
In an unbelievable performance, Raymond won game six of the second set, won the next six to take the set 7-5, and then stormed to victory at 6-3 in the third.
PERFECT EXAMPLE
Although Raymond fell in the second round, it was a perfect example of fighting to the end of never giving up, an outstanding and memorable performance, and one that should be a lesson to everyone in sport.
Like many before her who have had victory snatched from their grasp just when it appeared they were home and dry, Kurhajcova must still be wondering just what happened at Roland Garrros on Monday. In fact, unless she is a woman of exceptional strength of character, it will haunt her for many years to come.
That would be unfortunate as Raymond's accomplishment, her determination and brilliance to come back and win when all appeared lost is one of the things that makes sport so interesting and so appealing.
It is something that could only happen in sport.
