Coria impressive in defeating Schuettler at Monte Carlo event

MONTE CARLO, Monaco (AP) -- Guillermo Coria set a lofty goal for himself after an impressive showing at the Monte Carlo Masters.
"I hope to follow in the footsteps of players who have won Monte Carlo and then gone on to take the French Open," Coria said after routing Rainer Schuettler 6-2, 6-1, 6-3 in Sunday's final.
Unbeaten on clay in 26 matches, dating to last June, 22-year-old Coria will be a strong contender at Roland Garros this summer, having suffered his last clay-court loss to Martin Verkerk in the semifinal stage last year.
"I am very confident right now," Coria said. "I have great hope for the French Open this year. I feel very strong on clay."
Seven of Coria's eight career titles -- the exception being the smooth carpets of Basel, Switzerland -- have been on clay.
A slow surface suits his speed, timing, footwork and positional sense -- buying him time to set up the type of long rally which wore out a bewildered and outclassed Schuettler.
The German made 53 unforced errors, meaning Coria needed just 19 winners. He also broke a battered Schuettler's serve eight times.
Juan Carlos Ferrero, Gustavo Kuerten, and other recent clay-court masters such as Thomas Muster, Carlos Moya, and Sergi Bruguera followed up wins at Monte Carlo with success at the French Open the same year -- as did Bjorn Borg and Ilie Nastase.
"The French Open is very hard physically, because it is over five sets," said Coria, who needed treatment for an abdominal problem during his match, said.
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