Ferrero’s brutal revenge brings end to Costa reign
Costa had deprived Ferrero of a first Grand Slam trophy in landing his own here in the final 12 months ago but this time the 23-year-old Ferrero made no mistake, winning in 2hr 44min.
The slender star will now meet unseeded surprise package Martin Verkerk, who shocked Argentine seventh seed Guillermo Coria 7-6 (7/4), 6-4, 7-6 (7/0) in 2hr 40min.
Ferrero won the pair's only previous meeting in the tranquil surroundings of Kitzbuhel, Austria, last year in straight sets. This time, far more is at stake.
The 24-year-old Verkerk, the first ever Dutchman to make the final, is now bidding to emulate Richard Krajicek, who landed the 1996 Wimbledon crown to become the only man from the Netherlands ever to win a Grand Slam event.
Verkerk, a late developer who won his first title at Milan in February, is only the third Dutchman to reach a Grand Slam final with Tom Okker having been 1968 US Open runner-up.
His 400,000-euro (468,000-dollar) pay cheque for reaching the final has doubled his entire previous career earnings.
Yet only a year ago Verkerk, torn between his love of the high life and sweating on the training court, had thought of quitting.
His decision not to has been fully vindicated in the past 12 days.
"I want to show the people who I am," said Verkerk.
He added his entourage had told him: "Don't be stupid, make something of your life."
Verkerk listened - and learned.
"I still don't know what happened. It's a fantastic moment for me. It's a dream for me to be in the final of Roland Garros," said Verkerk, who wiped away tears of joy at the end when Coria double faulted.
Coria's loss compounded his misery as the man who had earlier defeated 1999 champion Andre Agassi threw his racquet in a vain attempt to chase down one bludgeoned Verkerk shot.
His 'missile' grazed a surprised ballboy.
Prior to this tournament Verkerk had never won a single Grand Slam match in his life.
But his monstrous serves had seen off 1998 winner Carlos Moya in his quarter-final in five sets.
He also beat seeds in Vince Spadea of the United States and Germany's Rainer Schuettler, the Australian Open finalist.
The Dutchman was serving at an average speed of 200 kph 50 more than Coria - and in the shootout scenario of two tiebreaks he kept his nerve admirably, streaking through the second one without dropping a single point.
A netted Coria forehand gave Verkerk six match points and the drained Argentine threw in a double fault to end his misery.
Ferrero meanwhile swatted Costa, who had come through a Grand Slam record of four five-set matches winning three from two sets down.
This time, there was no escape for the outgoing champion.
"I was a bit tired this afternoon," admitted Costa.
"I hope Juan Carlos goes on to win the tournament this year."
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