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| | WashingtonPost.com: Kafelnikov Reigns as First Russian With French Crown |
 | | PARIS, JUNE 9 Yevgeni Kafelnikov, looking calm, cool and reposed on a hot afternoon, raised the level of his game just when it counted today to demolish Germany's Michael Stich and become the first Russian to capture a Grand Slam title by winning the French Open, 7-6 (7-4), 7-5, 7-6 (7-4). |
 | | Kafelnikov reached the final by crushing the world's No. 1 player, Pete Sampras, in the semifinals and dropping only one set during the tournament. |
 | | Kafelnikov, renowned for his iron constitution, easily survived the heat and humidity that plagued many players this year and seemed unfazed by the center court spotlight in front of 16,000 spectators. |
| www.washingtonpost.com /wp-srv/sports/tennis/longterm/1997/french/frmen96.htm (873 words) |
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