FRENCH OPEN Kafelnikov runs out of gas in marathon against Saretta

Russian Yevgeny Kafelnikov was outlasted in a 4-hour, five-set marathon.
PARIS (AP) -- Yevgeny Kafelnikov says his latest loss might have been his last in the French Open.
But we've heard that before.
Fading at the end of a 4-hour, five-set marathon, the 1996 champion lost to Brazil's Flavio Saretta 6-4, 3-6, 6-0, 6-7 (0), 6-4 on Wednesday.
"It is a disappointment," Kafelnikov said. "The fact is that I might not be back again next year, simple as that."
Now 29, Kafelnikov talked of retirement last year because of a varicose vein in his left leg. He put on weight and fell to No. 27 on the ATP Tour, his lowest ranking since 1993.
After surgery, Kafelnikov decided to play another year. He's 21-15, with early exits in seven tournaments, including both Grand Slam events. He has played 896 matches, and it shows.
So will he return to Roland Garros?
"I have no desire to lose first, second rounds. It's not me," he said. "I belong with the top."
Ran out of gas
In a sign that the end really could be near, the 17th-seeded Kafelnikov uncharacteristically ran out of gas against Saretta. The loss dropped the Russian to 20-10 in five-set matches.
"You look at me four years ago and I was unbeatable in five sets, but I've lost the last two," he said. "It just shows.
"In the beginning of the fifth set, I was ready to collapse. It's not a nice feeling when in the back of the head you want to finish the match as quick as possible."
Kafelnikov prides himself as a student of the game, but he described the 22-year-old Saretta as "a mystery man."
"This is the match I wanted to avoid," Kafelnikov said. "I knew nothing about him and this got me out of my comfort zone."
Others
Kafelnikov followed fifth-seeded Roger Federer to the sideline. Defending champion Albert Costa and 1999 champion Andre Agassi needed comebacks from two-set deficits to advance.
"A lot of good guys are losing in the early stage, because tennis is so competitive," Kafelnikov said.
He plans to play Wimbledon and the U.S. Open before deciding whether to call it a career.
Kafelnikov hasn't been past the third round at a major event since 2001.
"I will continue through the end of the year, and then we'll see," Kafelnikov said. "So far no good results came this year."