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Costa wins five-set match

Juan Carlos Ferrero slips on the central court during his third round match against Tim Henman at Roland Garros in Paris on Saturday. PHOTO: REUTERS

Defending champion Albert Costa won his third consecutive five-set match Saturday at the French Open, mounting another comeback in the third round to outlast Nicolas Lapentti 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.

Top-ranked Lleyton Hewitt was eliminated by Tommy Robredo, who came from behind not once but twice. The Spaniard, seeded 28th, swept the final six games to win 4-6, 1-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3.

In the opening round, Costa won for the first time in his long career after losing the first two sets. He did it once more against Lapentti, who limped through much of the final set with cramps.

Costa, seeded ninth, advanced in 4 hours, 39 minutes. His first two victories took more than 3 hours, and he has played 148 games.

His Spanish compatriot, Robredo, won for the first time after losing the first two sets, outlasting Hewitt in 3:24. Robredo reached the fourth round at Roland Garros for the second time.

No. 3 Juan Carlos Ferrero and No. 20 Felix Mantilla also won, giving Spain five men in the fourth round. Ferrero beat No. 25 Tim Henman 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2, and Mantilla defeated compatriot Fernando Vicente 7-6 (3), 6-3, 6-3.

A sore toe on No. 6 Lindsay Davenport's left foot was the biggest problem for the top women. Davenport required treatment from a trainer for an inflamed toe nerve that has bothered her for several weeks, but she still advanced to the fourth round by beating Nathalie Dechy of France 6-3, 7-5.

Venus Williams, Jennifer Capriati and Kim Clijsters had an even easier day, losing just three games apiece. Williams, seeded third, hit six aces and beat No. 26 Silvia Farina Elia 6-1, 6-2. Capriati took advantage of a shaky showing by qualifier Julia Vakulenko to win 6-1, 6-2. Clijsters, seeded second, defeated No. 30 Paola Suarez 6-2, 6-1.
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