two-sets-to-love lead, overpowering and outmanoeuvring Agassi at every opportunity. The French crowd’s initial caution had turned into full-blown confidence of a win, but sadly, they would go home disappointed. Following a rain delay and a change of tactics by Agassi, Mathieu squandered his lead to surrender the match in five sets.

Despite his loss, Mathieu had announced himself to the tennis world in style. He would build on his good run at Roland Garros to win back-to-back titles in Lyon and Moscow, later in 2002. His good form earned the young Frenchman a call-up to the French national team in time for the 2002 Davis Cup Final against Russia, held in Paris. With the overall score poised at 2-2, French captain Guy Forget chose Mathieu to contest the decidingsingles rubber, against Mikhail Youzhny. It seemed as though it would be the perfect ending to Mathieu’s breakthrough season, and when he moved to within five games of victory, being two-sets-to-love up, the cup was his for the taking. But Mathieu could not see it through.

The Frenchman crumbled under pressure, and surrendered both his lead and the cup to a jubilant Youzhny, whose father had passed away just before the final was due to take place. Once again, Mathieu had been on the receiving end of an incredible comeback.

Moving forward

Despite his devastation following the loss, Mathieu’s success on the ATP World Tour carried on. He reached the third round of the US Open in 2004, his best-ever run at Flushing Meadows, where he squandered a two-set lead again,