Jennifer Capriati doing well with coach's advice

She's one of the favorites as the Paris tournament got underway.
PARIS (AP) -- At 28, Jennifer Capriati is still learning how to win, and figures Steffi Graf's former coach can help.
The partnership between Capriati and Heinz Gunthardt is off to an auspicious start, inspiring a resurgence that makes her one of the favorites in the French Open. Seeded seventh, she's scheduled to play Yulia Beygelzimer in the first round Tuesday.
Capriati reached the semifinals this month in the German Open, her first tournament with Gunthardt. She then beat Serena Williams, ending an eight-match losing streak against her nemesis, en route to a runner-up finish in the Italian Open.
"It felt really good," Capriati said. "It just showed that my hard work was paying off."
Psychological benefit
With Gunthardt on board, at least temporarily, there also might be a psychological benefit for Capriati in reducing the role of her father and longtime coach, Stefano.
"Maybe when you're just used to hearing the same thing over and over, it doesn't really register anymore," she said.
Graf, coached by Gunthardt late in her career, won 22 Grand Slam titles thanks in part to a celebrated work ethic. Capriati has three Grand Slam titles and a tendency to let her fitness slip.
"We're just two totally different players," Capriati said, adding with a smile, "I don't wake up at 6 in the morning to go practice, that's for sure."
Still, Gunthardt has apparently pushed Capriati into the kind of shape necessary to endure two grueling weeks on the Roland Garros clay.
Men
In men's play, top-seeded Roger Federer is scheduled to open his title bid Tuesday against Kristof Vliegen. Federer has been eliminated in the first round each of the past two years.
"I don't consider myself as the favorite at all," he said. "There are too many other guys who have played much better at the French Open. It's time for me to show I can also play well."
Should Federer survive his opening match, potential obstacles to the title include third-seeded Guillermo Coria, three-time champion Gustavo Kuerten, 1998 champ Carlos Moya and two Americans, second-seeded Andy Roddick and No. 6 Andre Agassi.
Defending champion Juan Carlos Ferrero is hampered by sore ribs and said Sunday he might withdraw before his opening match, scheduled for Tuesday.
Capriati is among five top contenders for the women's title. Others include Williams and sister Venus, Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo and defending champion Justine Henin-Hardenne.
But the Williams sisters and Henin-Hardenne have been slowed this year by injuries or illness, while Mauresmo has yet to win a Grand Slam title. Capriati might have as good a shot at the trophy as anyone -- and she knows what's required, because she won the title in 2001.
"I did it before; I can do it again," she said. "Nothing has really changed, except maybe I could be a better player even now than back then."
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