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Newcomer Verkerk in finals against Ferrero

Roland Garros newcomer Martin Verkerk became an improbable French Open finalist Friday.

The 1.91m Dutchman advanced by beating Guillermo Coria, who narrowly avoided being defaulted after one set and still lost, 7-6 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (0).

The unseeded Verkerk had never won a Grand Slam match entering the tournament, and he's the first man to reach the final in his French Open debut since Mikael Pernfors in 1986.

"This is a dream," Verkerk said. "This is actually a little bit of a joke."

His opponent in the final Sunday will be No. 3-seeded Juan Carlos Ferrero, who ended marathon man Albert Costa's bid for a second consecutive title, 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-4.

Verkerk's semifinal match nearly came to an abrupt conclusion. Trying to intercept Verkerk's final shot in the opening set, Coria heaved his racket at the ball -- and inadvertently hit a ball girl several meters away. He avoided being defaulted only because she said she was unhurt.

"I threw the racket to touch the ball," Coria said. "It was not at all my intention to do any harm with the racket when I threw it."

Verkerk's astonishing run at Paris has improved his career record to 28-28. He's ranked 46th, thanks to a rise so meteoric that next week he'll keep a long-standing commitment to play in a Dutch club tournament.

With a serve reminiscent of compatriot Richard Krajicek, Verkerk will be a formidable foe for Ferrero.

But the stylish Spaniard will be the favorite to win his first Grand Slam title. He was in top form against compatriot Costa, avenging a loss in the 2002 final.

"I hope to leave with a better souvenir this time," Ferrero said.

Ferrero took charge by winning five of the first six games, and this time there was no comeback by a weary Costa. He overcame two-set deficits twice during the tournament and won four five-set matches, a Roland Garros record in the Open era.

"It's the end of the marathon," Costa said. "Sometimes you have to be realistic."

"With all the sets he played, it's normal he's tired, and I was a bit fresher," Ferrero said. "It was a noble fight."

Verkerk smacked nine aces in the first set against the No. 7-seeded Coria, and successive big serves helped him win the final two points of the tiebreaker.
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