Gaudio hopes to become Argentine idol

Gaston Gaudio is hoping to follow Diego Maradona and Guillermo Vilas and become the new idol of Argentina when he takes on compatriot and tournament favourite Guillermo Coria in the French Open final.

Gaston Gaudio is hoping to follow Diego Maradona and Guillermo Vilas and become the new idol of Argentina when he takes on compatriot and tournament favourite Guillermo Coria tomorrow in the French Open final at Roland Garros.

Like Dutchman Martin Verkerk last year, 25-year-old Gaudio reached the final as an unseeded player – he is number 40 in the world.

After beating compatriot Guillermo Canas, the Czech Republic’s Jiri Novak, Sweden’s Thomas Enqvist, Russia’s Igor Andreev and 12th seed and former number one Lleyton Hewitt, Gaudio yesterday raised his game further to inflict a straight-sets defeat on another Argentinian, David Nalbandian.

However, the task ahead of him is formidable. Third seed Coria beat British number one Tim Henman in four sets and came into the tournament as favourite after winning the Buenos Aires and the Monte Carlo Masters Series events.

Gaudio, who broke down in tears after his semi-final win, knows he will start as an outsider.

Nevertheless he believes in his chances to win the trophy under the eyes of fellow Argentinian Vilas, who won Roland Garros in 1977.

And Gaudio, who lists Vilas and Maradona as his two idols, said: “Diego is a legend in Argentina, probably the most adored person.

“We actually have two idols back there, and they are Maradona and Vilas.

“I don’t think I will become one if I win, I am not even close to them.

“However it will be great to know that Vilas will be watching me. We probably owe everything to him in tennis.

“We started playing tennis thanks to him.”

Meanwhile Coria, who was named Guillermo after the former tennis champion, has insisted he has never been calmer and stronger physically.

“I am calm, things have been going well for me this year and I am going to try to make the most of it,” he added.

“I am mentally strong and I know I can win, I will make my dream come true. I will fight until the end.”

Mental confidence will be the key to the match and when asked what the big difference between him and Coria is, Gaudio added: “He is number three in the world and I am 40.

“He won many tournaments on clay, I have won one.

“We are both confident in our potential but he is very strong mentally, even more than I am sometimes. That could well be the major difference, the rest is just an anecdote.”