Elusive Slam In Reach For ‘Wiser’ Chang

For eight years, Michael Chang has been waiting for another Grand Slam title.

Now, back at the tournament where he made Grand Slam history, Chang is quietly moving toward that goal.

He defeated Jerome Golmard of France 6-2, 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 on Thursday and faces Stephane Simian in the third round.

Chang, the second seed, should advance against the 135th-ranked Frenchman, and his first test could be a possible fourth-round showdown with two-time champion Sergi Bruguera.

In 1989, Chang became the youngest male Grand Slam champion when he won the French Open at 17 years, 3 months. That record still stands.

Since then, he has come to appreciate his achievement even more, perhaps because he has yet to win another Grand Slam title. He thinks that just might change this year.

“One of the things is attitude,” said Chang, now 25. “You have to have a good, positive attitude coming in here. For me, I expect to go out and have tough matches. I go out and prepare for that.

“As you get older, you come to appreciate things more. I think when something happens so young in your career, you don’t realize what has taken place until you’re a little bit older, maybe a little more mature, a little bit wiser.”

Now, Chang has 30 career titles and is ranked No. 2, behind Pete Sampras. He reached the French Open final in 1995, losing to Thomas Muster. Last year, he was runner-up in Australia and at the U.S. Open.