Advertisement

Santoro plays his last French Open match

PARIS, May 27 (UPI) -- Men's tennis veteran Fabrice Santoro of France lost his final French Open match Wednesday in four sets to Belgium's Christophe Rochus.

The scores were 3-6, 1-6, 6-3, 4-6.

Advertisement

The match, Santoro's record-equaling 20th French Open appearance before a partisan crowd at Roland Garros, was suspended Tuesday because of darkness.

Santoro is retiring at season's end.

When play was called Tuesday, Rochus led 5-3 in the fourth set.

He needed just eight minutes Wednesday to complete his victory and advance to the second round.

"I wanted to have played a tight match," Santoro said on the ATP Web site. "I wanted emotions. I think I served well (but) I wish I had won the fourth set to be able to play the fifth."

The Tahiti-born Santoro has played in a men's tennis record 67 grand slam tournaments and his best showing was advancing to the fourth round at the French in 1991 and 2001 and the Australian Open in 1999.

Latest Headlines