Tennis: Bruguera sees off another happy Monday
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.SERGI BRUGUERA, of Spain, won the Monte Carlo Open for the second time when he beat the unseeded Frenchman, Cedric Pioline, 7-6, 6-0 in the rain-delayed final yesterday.
Bad weather had forced the match, originally scheduled for Sunday, to be pushed back to Monday. Rain then interrupted the proceedings after 46 minutes with Bruguera leading 6-5 in the first set, and the rest of the contest, reduced to three sets from five, had to be played on a covered court.
Bruguera, who won the tournament two years ago against Boris Becker in a match which also had to be completed on Monday, led 5-0 in the first set, but Pioline, the first French player to reach the final since Yannick Noah in 1986, fought back to level at 5-5, saving five set points in the process.
After a break of two hours, play resumed on the second court with Pioline, despite saving one more set point at 5-6, losing the tie-break 7-2 before succumbing in the second set.
'I don't think I played very well,' Pioline said. 'The switch of court and only 200 spectators, there just wasn't any atmosphere, and having to restart the game did not help me.
Pioline, trying to become the first Frenchman to win the event since Pierre Darmon in 1963, was playing in only his second final, having lost to Pete Sampras, the world No 1, in Lyons last October.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments