Russian Phenom Claims French Open Kafelnikov Finally Breaks Through By Defeating Stich In Straight Sets
Yevgeny Kafelnikov is no longer just a can’t-miss prospect with a catchy nickname. He’s a Grand Slam champion.
Fulfilling the great expectations that have burdened him for two years, Kafelnikov made his breakthrough Sunday by beating Michael Stich in straight sets to win the French Open and become the first Russian to win a Grand Slam singles title.
He came from behind in the last two sets to win 7-6 (7-4), 7-5, 7-6 (7-4) in 2-1/2 hours, ending the match with a blistering forehand passing shot that handcuffed the 15th-seeded German at the net.
“It is just a dream,” the sixth-seeded Kafelnikov said. “I never felt I could do it, winning a Grand Slam at age 22 … I never felt I could make it.”
“The first Grand Slam title really means everything,” he said. “For Russia, it means very much. I know I have many supporters in Russia. I’m going to bring that wonderful trophy back to my country.”
Kafelnikov became the first man to win the singles and doubles titles at the French Open since Ken Rosewall in 1968. Kafelnikov teamed with Daniel Vacek to win the doubles final on Saturday.
“The doubles yesterday really helped me,” he said. “I got used to playing a Grand Slam final on center court.”
Kafelnikov also broke the mold of recent French Open champions, who were pure clay-court specialists and baseliners.
Although he’s not a serve-and-volleyer, the Russian is the first all-court attacking player to win the men’s title since France’s Yannick Noah in 1983.
Great things have been predicted for Kafelnikov ever since, as a 19-year-old, he extended eventual champion Pete Sampras to five sets in the second round of the 1994 Australian Open. At the time, Sampras predicted Kafelnikov could become No. 1 someday.
Nicknamed “Kalashnikov,” after the Russian-made assault rifle, he broke into the top 10 but failed to go all the way at the Grand Slams, earning a reputation as the best player never to win a major.
Kafelnikov said he was thinking of those expectations Sunday.
“Everybody, especially after now, everybody would expect me to become the No. 1 player in the world,” he said. “But it doesn’t mean that … I will become No. 1. Now for me, it is a completely different life beginning because after winning the Grand Slam, I will become a huge, huge target for the other players.”
Sunday’s victory will push him from No. 7 to No. 5 in the next world rankings.
Kafelnikov said there would be no big party to celebrate - “I am not going to go any wild” - and he would fly home to Sochi, a Black Sea coastal resort, to be with his family.
Fourth-seeded Americans Lindsay Davenport and Mary Joe Fernandez won the women’s doubles title, beating second seeds Gigi Fernandez of the U.S. and Natasha Zvereva of Belarus 6-2, 6-1.