Two Games From Being Ousted, Muster Survives

PARIS — Fifth-seeded Thomas Muster was forced to do what Thomas Muster does so happily--work his way into a hole during a match then scramble and scratch and finally escape.

In his first-round match at the French Open, Muster defeated Marc-Kevin Goellner of Germany, 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2, 6-7 (2-7), 6-4. The Austrian, who looked sluggish and heavy-footed, was down 2-4 in the fifth set when he kicked in his special clay-court gear.

The former French Open champion has looked vulnerable recently on his favorite surface and came into the match with a 6-6 record on clay. Last year, Muster was 31-1 on clay, but he’s been concentrating on hardcourts this year and may be tired. The three hour and nine minute match won’t help.

The only seeded player to lose Monday was No. 12 Alberto Berasategui of Spain, who retired in the fifth set against Andrei Medvedev of Ukraine. Berasategui, a former French Open finalist, was overcome by leg cramps. Medvedev won, 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, 6-2, 2-1.

Top-seeded Pete Sampras won, defeating Fabrice Santoro of France, 6-3, 7-5, 6-1. Defending champion Yevgeny Kafelnikov of Russia defeated Martin Damm of the Czech Republic, 6-2, 6-4, 6-4. Eighth-seeded Alex Corretja of Spain defeated Karim Alami of Morocco, 6-3, 6-4, 6-1.

Among the women, third-seeded Monica Seles defeated Miho Saeki of Japan, 6-0, 6-3; fifth-seeded Lindsay Davenport defeated Joanette Kruger of South Africa, 6-2, 6-3; seventh-seeded Conchita Martinez defeated Emilie Loit of France, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3; 10th-seeded Mary Pierce of France defeated Tatiana Panova of Russia, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4, and 11th-seeded Amanda Coetzer of South Africa defeated Rita Grande of Italy, 6-4, 6-0.

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TODAY’S FEATURED MATCHES

MEN

* Michael Chang (2) vs. Rodolphe Gilbert

* Goran Ivanisevic (4) vs. Magnus Gustafsson

WOMEN

* Martina Hingis (1) vs. Henrieta Nagyova

* Steffi Graf (2) vs. Paola Suarez