Arnaud Clement staged the best recovery of his life in the biggest match of his life today to reach the final of the Australian Open in Melbourne today. On the very brink of defeat against fellow Frenchman Sebastien Grosjean in the third set, Clement saved two match points and came back to win a dramatic four-hour battle 5-7 2-6 7-6 7-5 6-2.
Yet he needed five match points of his own in that final game before clinching a remarkable victory over his close friend. The 15th seed, never beyond the quarter-finals in a Grand Slam before, will start as a huge underdog when he faces defending champion Andre Agassi on Sunday.
But it is worth remembering that only four months ago he knocked Agassi out of the US Open. And the American was the holder then as well. (PA)
Seán Folan
