French Open 2000
On June 10, 2000, the women's French Open final was held. The two finalists were #6 ranked Conchita Martinez (Spain) and #5 ranked Mary Pierce (France) (both were unexpected to reach the final). Yet the seats were filled, and the crowd was eagerly awaiting a difficult match. Mary Pierce easily won the first set 6-2. In the second set, Conchita Martinez did a turn-around, and starting volleying amazing shots. Mary Pierce was taken by surprise, and yet she managed to fight back. She won a very difficult second set, 7-5. Mary Pierce is the first French woman
since Francoise Durr in 1967 to win the French Open title.
On June 11, 2000, the men's French Open final was held. The two finalists were #5 ranked Gustavo Kuerten (Brazil) and #3 ranked Magnus Norman (Sweden) in four sets: 6-2, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6. The last set they played was perhaps the most engrossing one, for Magnus Norman fought back, and was able to stop the game from ending sooner. Kuerten had had the opportunity to win the game on several occasions, but Norman managed to block him, and was able to save several of the Championship's match point. It was only when they got into a tie-breaker that Kuerten was able to win the set, and win his second French Open title. (The first one he won in 1997)