NOTEBOOK From the French Open

Young Americans: Vince Spadea fared better than any of his young American compatriots at the French Open. And he didn't do that well. Seeded 29th, Spadea lost in the third round Friday to Martin Verkerk 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 7-5. That left Andre Agassi as the only American remaining among 13 who entered the men's draw. "It doesn't say great things for American clay-court tennis if I'm one of the leading players in the clay-court events and my results show up like they do," Spadea said. "I'm not trying to discourage or criticize. It's competitive out here." Such promising young Americans as Andy Roddick, James Blake and Mardy Fish were eliminated by the second round. All probably have more raw talent than Spadea, 28, but he has learned enough about playing on clay to reach the third round at Roland Garros three of the past four years. "Clay-court tennis is about being physically like an animal," he said. "It's not really shotmaking. It's all about wanting to sacrifice your body." Agassi was also the lone American to reach the fourth round last year. "It's never been a strength of ours, clay-court tennis," Agassi said. He advanced to the semifinals at Roland Garros in 1988 when he was 18, but it was another 11 years before he won the tournament. He said young Americans would be wise to commit themselves to learning how to win on clay. "I've always said, when I see these guys who don't play well on clay, if they learn to play better on clay, it's going to make their hardcourt games even better," Agassi said. "Learning to play the entire gamut of surfaces allows your game to evolve."
No Olympics for Agassi: Andre Agassi won't be wearing the red, white and blue at the 2004 Olympics. Agassi reiterated that his Davis Cup career is over, so he won't be eligible for the Athens Summer Games. "My choice is to leave that for the younger guys, too," he said after reaching the fourth round at the French Open by beating Xavier Malisse 6-4, 7-5, 7-5. Agassi won the men's singles gold medal at the 1996 Olympics.
Local hero: Amelie Mauresmo, France's best hope for a title at the French Open, found out while watching television Friday that she's on course for a quarterfinal showdown against defending champion Serena Williams. "I won't die from that piece of news," the fifth-seeded Mauresmo said. "It doesn't change anything. I'm focused on the next match." Mauresmo advanced by beating Fabiola Zuluaga 6-3, 6-4. She next plays Magui Serna, who rallied past American Ashley Harkleroad 3-6, 6-1, 6-2. Mauresmo, who beat Williams in the Rome semifinals earlier this month, has struggled with her nerves in the past at Roland Garros and has never advanced beyond the fourth round. She said the weight of expectations from the crowd has bothered her only a little bit this year. "There's always a sort of little tension at the beginning of a match, but I think it's a very natural feeling," she said. "I think the main thing is to control it well, and I'm doing that."
Teen ousted: American Ashley Harkleroad, weary after winning a three-hour marathon in the second round, failed to hold an early lead Friday and lost to Magui Serna 3-6, 6-1, 6-2. The third-round match was the first Harkleroad, 18, has played in a Grand Slam event. "I didn't play my very best tennis," she said. "My body was a little bit tired. But she played well, and I can only try and take the positives from this experience because it has definitely been a memorable one."
-- Associated Press