TENNIS / FRENCH OPEN : Courier Has a Few Tricks Under His Hat in Opening-Day Victory

Jim Courier, the world’s top-ranked player, began his defense of the French Open championship Monday wearing a familiar white cap but speaking a new language.

During his 7-6 (7-2), 6-4, 6-2 first-round victory over Niclas Kroon of Sweden, Courier spoke a few phrases of fractured French to the delight of the fans at Roland Garros Stadium.

Courier’s unveiling of his latest fascination splashed some color on an otherwise drab day of tennis. Seeded players breezed into the second round, with the exception of No. 7 Guy Forget, who almost let himself and his country down on center court. Behind a boisterous crowd, Forget survived a match against No. 70 Luiz Mattar of Brazil, 5-7, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4.

Not even an appearance by beloved former French champion Yannick Noah on the stadium grounds could break the ennui the way Courier did.

After the court umpire ruled one of his shots good in the second set, Courier shouted, “ C’est bien ca--Alors! “ Although French professors would cringe, everyone understood: “The ball is good, right?”

Right, and so was Courier, who regrouped from a first-set tiebreaker to dominate Kroon and advance to Wednesday’s second round against Thomas Muster of Austria.

Courier also talked to the ballboys in their Gallic tongue, later explaining: “It’s not too tough to say ‘towel,’ ‘thank you’ and ‘please.’ ”

But when asked if he was studying French, Courier, 21, demurred.

“I’ll take the Fifth on that,” he said.

One of his coaches, Brad Stine, an admitted Francophile, was a more willing witness. He said Courier, who has a French girlfriend since winning here last year, bought some language books and tapes and has been studying seriously.

“He goes to his room for hours, and when he comes out he’s just fried,” Stine said.

If Courier wins in Paris, he wants to win over the Parisians as well. Stine said Courier is planning to give an interview in French before the tournament ends.

Courier’s match was delayed in the third set when spring showers descended on Roland Garros, chasing fans for cover. But when play resumed, the stocky Kroon, ranked No. 216, seemed to lose interest after playing well against the overwhelming favorite.

Courier led, 5-2, in the first but was forced into a tiebreaker before winning.

Jose Higueras, who coaches with Stine, told Stine he was pleased with Courier’s response to the first-set challenge.

Said Stine: “He didn’t whine or complain (when he lost his lead). Jim didn’t need a Pamper out there once. It’s a sign of his maturation as a player.”

Courier advanced with a host of others during the day, but thundershowers caused chaos Monday evening, forcing delays of all late matches. Jennifer Capriati, seeded No. 5, failed to win despite two match points and was leading Beate Reinstadler of Germany in the third set, 2-1, when her match was stopped. On another court, Pete Sampras, seeded No. 3, was leading Marc Rosset of Switzerland, 4-2, in the fifth set of a difficult match that will resume today.

“It wouldn’t be Paris if it didn’t rain a little bit,” Courier said.

It would not be Courier if he did not wear his trademark cap, which he said is worn to keep sweat and sun out of his eyes.

“I don’t think I look very good in a headband,” he said.

But Courier, from Dade City, Fla., is not as concerned about his looks as he is about his tennis. He kept a low profile after winning the Italian Open two weeks ago.

Stine, talking from his seat after the match, said Courier wanted to concentrate on the French Open the past two weeks. No extracurricular activities. No interviews.

“It’s easy to get caught up in the other things,” said Stine, who played many years in Paris.

Courier would not predict how he will fare over the next two weeks, despite winning his 17th match in a row, the longest streak of the year. He has a tough draw, filled with clay-court specialists such as Muster and Alberto Mancini of Argentina.

Kroon believes Courier deserves the respect he is getting.

“He has been playing tennis unbelievably well,” Kroon said. “He is very strong mentally at the moment.”

Also looking strong lately is No. 2 Steffi Graf of Germany, who is out to regain the French women’s title from No. 1 Monica Seles. Graf disposed of Rene Simpson-Alter of Canada, 6-3, 6-1.

Graf started impatiently on Center Court, but settled into a routine victory that has typified the best moments of her her career. She said her play is improving.

“I feel a lot better right now than I have for some time,” she said.

Graf, who won all four Grand Slam events in 1988, said she is rediscovering the formula that made her the best female player in the late 1980s.

That could bode poorly for Seles, who is attempting to win her third French Open in a row.

Tennis Notes

No. 16 Jakob Hlasek of Switzerland was upset by Andrei Medvedev of the Ukraine, 7-6 (8-6), 6-3, 6-4. . . . Kevin Curren, making his French debut, defeated Guillermo Perez-Roldan of Argentina, 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3. . . . Guy Forget on his close match against Luiz Mattar: “His serve surprised me. He took advantage of all my weaknesses. It was difficult to relax in the public on center court.” . . . To accommodate the rain-delayed matches, the anticipated Jimmy Connors-Michael Stich match scheduled for today was moved back.