Haarhuis, Chang to meet in MFS Pro final
Posted: Sunday August 30, 1998 12:20 AM
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Though not known for a powerful serve, Haarhuis slammed two aces in the final game of the match Stephen Dunn/Allsport |
BROOKLINE, Massachusetts (AP) -- Third-seeded Michael Chang had his hands full but withstood the challenge of upstart qualifier Sebastien Grosjean in the second semifinal of the MFS Pro Tennis Championship at the Longwood Cricket Club.
Chang, of Mercer Island, Washington, beat the Frenchman 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 Saturday night after rain delayed the match more than 1 1/2 hours. He will play unseeded Paul Haarhuis of the Netherlands in the final Sunday.
"I thought I played some good tennis today," Chang said after his win. "It was not an easy match. He's quick, and has a dangerous forehand and a deceptive serve."
Chang and Grosjean held serve until the 12th and final game of the opening set. Chang then broke Grosjean in the 12th game and fired a cross-court winner to capture the first set 7-5.
Grosjean immediately took the lead in the second set, breaking Chang in the opening game. In the seventh game, Grosjean gained another break and took a 5-3 lead with a forehand winner to the corner. He then took the final game, fighting off three break points to even the match at one set apiece.
Grosjean made a bid to take the match with a break in the third game of the final set. However, Chang immediately broke back to place the set on serve. In the eighth game, Chang used a vicious forehand to produce a pair of break points. Grosjean fought off one but on the second, Grosjean hit a backhand into the net.
Chang then evaded two double-break points in the ninth game. At deuce, Grosjean's bid for a sideline winner barely missed. Chang then forced a long return at match point for the win.
Earlier in the day, Haarhuis upset third-seeded Frenchman Cedric Pioline 7-5, 3-6, 6-3. Best known for his 43 career doubles titles with Jacco Eltingh, advanced to what will be his first final of the year.
Haarhuis recovered from a break in the fifth game of the first set and went on to break Pioline in the tenth game, when Pioline was serving for the match. After holding his own serve, Haarhuis again broke Pioline to take a one-set lead.
"I tried to hit my serves deep and to keep him back," Haarhuis said. "He plays well from the baseline, but I had to keep attacking. I thought I was playing well from the beginning, but in the second set I became impatient."
Pioline, who was favored, took the second set 6-3. He broke Haarhuis in the ninth game and placed the eventual winner on the defensive.
Haarhuis regained control in the final set, breaking Pioline in the eighth game and then serving out for the match.
Though not known for a powerful serve, Haarhuis slammed two aces in the final game of the match. He won the match converting on his second match-point opportunity when Pioline's backhand went into the net.
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