Clement tames Rafter for upset win in Lyon final

In Saturday's semi-final, the 22-year-old Clement had upset an ailing Andre Agassi in a set when the American retired hurt with a hip flexor problem.

Clement took nearly two hours of battle before subduing double U.S. OPen winner Rafter, who has now lost twice to the Frenchman. Clement won his only other match with Rafter - in Lyon three years ago. Rafter also suffered his second loss in a final after going out to Pete Sampras at Wimbledon.

The Queenslander won a trophy on grass in Holland prior to Wimbledon. Clement's first carer title was worth 109,000 dollars to the winner, with Rafter taking away 64,000. Clement and Rafter both took their time calming down in the opening set, with the first four games marked by breaks of serve.

Clement finally held for 3-1 after saving two game-winning Rafter chances. The Australian eighth seed also got back on track to hold and got the re-break in the eighth game when Clement sent a backhand wide.

The set went into a tiebreak as the one-hour mark approached. That was the signal for crowd-pleaser Clement, who plays in sunglasses indoors and out, to take command, grabbing a 4-0 lead in the decider.

Rafter woke up for 1-4, but it was too late for the Queenslander to salvage much as Clement moved out to five set points from a weak Rafter return. The Australian saved the first on an unforced error from the European, but Clement produced a brilliant and untouchable service return winner after 54 minutes to go into command in the contest.

The second set stayed on serve, though rafter came within two points of defeat prior to the tiebreaker. Rafter jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but Clement levelled at two-all.

The French challenger moved into winning position as Rafter double-faulted for 2-4. A few monmths later, the crowd had something to cheer about as their man won.

(la/dpa)