Dubai: Former Dubai Duty Free Men's Open winner Fabrice Santoro feels it is his superior experience that helps him tide over opponents towards the end of his career on the Tour.
"I am at a stage when I know my game better and I know my job better than ever," Santoro told the media after becoming the first singles quarterfinalist at the Dubai Duty Free Men's Open yesterday.
The 35-year-old Frenchman - one of the longest serving on the Tour after turning professional in 1989 - now plans to utilise this superior experience to benefit him in the most appropriate manner.
"I admit there are players who are better than I am, and I admit that it is not only experience that can help me win matches. But the experience does count," Santoro stated.
The Frenchman has been a regular in Dubai since the first tournament held in 1993. Playing in the final, Santoro lost to Karol Novacek on that occasion. His love affair with Dubai continued and Santoro finally lifted the silver dhow trophy for the first time in 2002 with a win against Morocco's Younes Al Aynaoui.
"The experience is a huge benefit, especially while playing younger players," Santoro stated.
Santoro's second round scalp was Gilles Simon, 12 years his junior. "He is 12 years younger and I know I can use my superior experience against such players," Santoro said on the eve of the match.
He, however, was uncomfortable at the thought of playing long rallies over three sets. "I can go on for three sets, but I think things would have been in his favour. However, that is where the experience comes in," he said. In his second round match, Santoro tried to dictate from the start.
"I had my strategy planned and I did not want to give him any angles to play his shots," Santoro stated.
"I think I controlled things pretty well as I knew that he would play fast if I allowed him to."
