Pioline on the comeback trail

Much was expected from Frenchman Cedric Pioline, but he bowed out to Max Mirnyi on Monday. Though the setback must have shocked Pioline, he was sporting in defeat.

"He (Mirnyi) is playing very well and he's improved a lot," Pioline said of his opponent.

Pioline, who finished for the fourth consecutive year among the top 20 last year, believes in putting up a good show irrespective of the outcome of the match.

"I think we played a good match," he remarked.

Pioline has shocked quite a few outstanding players. His performance in 1997 at Wimbledon will still be fresh in the minds of tennis fans. Pioline beat Greg Rusedski in the quarterfinals, outplayed Michael Stich in the semifinal and entered the final to become the first Frenchman to reach a Wimbledon final after Yvon Petra won it in 1946. When asked to comment on his form this year, Pioline admitted: "I would say medium. I had my ups and downs."

Pioline's performance last year too was more or less the same. He played well in the first half of the season winning two ATP titles in the first four months. After a hand injury in July his performance dipped.

Though Pioline does concentrate on his tennis, he also plays volleyball when time permits. In fact both his parents were outstanding volleyball players who met during a match in Paris and got married.

Pioline's mother played for Romania and his father was a member of the Le Racing Club de France.

Last year, Pioline broke three metacarpals in his left hand while playing volleyball. He had to undergo surgery on July 26. In fact, Pioline had to pull out from three tournaments.

Pioline had been practising hard after his arrival in Dubai and was hoping to find his touch through some good wins. "I was happy to come to Dubai for the first time and I was looking forward to playing better," he said. Pioline is in search of the form that clinched him a place among the top 10 in 1993.

"I am disappointed by the defeat but I have to put my game together and I'll play much better," he said.

Outside the court, he was swamped by autograph hunters. The 31-year-old handsome Frenchman stood patiently and obliged everyone.

"I play next at Indian Wells. I will play much better during the following weeks," he promised.