Bruguera a Reluctant Favorite

PARIS — Sergi Bruguera is not accepting it, but he’s now the favorite to win the men’s French Open title. Since 15 other seeded players have declined the prize by losing, the 16th-seeded Spaniard is the favorite by default.

He will play No. 25 Patrick Rafter of Australia in today’s semifinal. In the other match, qualifier Filip Dewulf of Belgium will play Gustavo Kuerten of Brazil.

Bruguera, a two-time former champion here, is confident of his game but not thrilled with the favorite’s mantle.

“Well, I’m not supposed to win anything,” Bruguera said. “There’s a lot of people who thought [Michael] Chang was going to win. It doesn’t make any difference. I think I’m playing my game. I feel much more confidence in myself. Rafter is playing great tennis; otherwise he wouldn’t be in the semis of Roland Garros, no? . . . He is also with big confidence to play in these courts.”

Bruguera leads in head-to-head meetings, 5-1, and Rafter has not won a set from him on clay.

Rafter is the first Australian to reach the men’s semifinal here in 20 years.

Kuerten and Dewulf are also involved in “firsts.” Kuerten is hoping to become the first South American winner of a Grand Slam tournament since Andres Gomez of Ecuador won here in 1990, and Dewulf is the first Belgian to reach a Grand Slam tournament men’s semifinal in the open era.

“I still have a hard time believing it, that I’m in the semifinals of Roland Garros,” Dewulf said. “I have no words for that.”

Kuerten, the lone free spirit left on the men’s side, is likewise delighted and surprised with his progress.

“Filip, like me, is a big surprise in the tournament,” he said. “I think it will be a very dangerous match. He’s playing very well. Very solid. I will prepare myself to battle.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Today’s Featured Matches

MEN’S SEMIFINALS

* Filip Dewulf vs. Gustavo Kuerten

* Patrick Rafter vs. Sergi Bruguera (16)