It is gold for the triumphant Russian, Yevgeny Kafelnikov, who throughout the tournament always had the gold medal firmly in his sights. Kafelnikov defeated Germany's Olympic shooting star, Tommy Haas, in a turbulent game which characterized tennis at this Olympics - an unpredictable ride for fans and players alike.

In what has become somewhat of a tradition for Olympic tennis, unseeded players managed to gain center court while top ranked players, excluding Kafelnikov, fell by the wayside. Kuerten trailed brightly for a while only to fall victim to the Kafelnikov express in the quarterfinals. Philipoussis also failed on his trail to national glory when he also didn't survive Kafelnikov.

The Olympics has seen a triumphant run for top player Kafelnikov while young players, Haas, Di Pasquale and Federer have enjoyed an exciting ride to the top.

Let's hope the enthusiastic reports of players who were in Sydney will encourage the future attendance of all top players at the next Olympics.

Yevgeny Kafelnikov brings home gold (09/28/00)

Olympic final: Kafelnikov vs Haas

Yevgeny Kafelnikov's dream has come true. On thursday in Sydney he defeated Germany's Tommy Haas 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3. The match was fitting for an Olympic final - a hard fought, close match. The first set was the tightest and probably shaped the match. In the tie-break Kafelnikov managed to overcome his young opponent.

'My country Russia is taking over tennis'

"I felt like he (Haas) was in good physical shape because the shots that he was making were incredible, Kafelnikov said. Every time I was hitting the ball hard, he was coming up with the better reply, even harder. From the first point on he gave me the impression that I wasn't going to win that match very easily, if I win it at all".

Haas played throughout the match with maturity and relaxed confidence, showing that he has an old head on young shoulders. Kafelnikov has a tremendous amount of match experience, but going into the final set it was Haas who looked fresher and more self assured.

The young German's groundstrokes were being hit with great precision, making his opponent work very hard for every point.

Kafelnikov was trying to push into the net when he could, to put Haas under pressure. Haas responded well and at times Kafelnikov was looking distraught, wondering what he had to do to break his opponent's steady game.

The break came in the last set when unforced errors crept into Haas' game, and Kafelnikov pushed forward to do what he had come to Sydney for. It was evident what this meant to the Russian, the determination on his face said it all. A worthy gold medallist.

After the match Kafelnikov said, "To win the gold medal is beyond all my expectations. I'm really proud of my country. To have won two Grand Slams plus the Olympic gold, it means my career is not forgotten. My country Russia is taking over tennis".

Kafelnikov, who had gained a reputation at home for caring too much about making money and too little about representing his country, was hailed with front-page photographs and glowing reports. "Patriot" was the one-word headline in Izvestia on Friday, while Sport- Express said, "And He Is Ours!"

1st round : Yevgeny Kafelnikov (5) d. Juan Antonio Marin 6/0 6/1

2nd round : Yevgeny Kafelnikov (5) d. Juan Ignacio Chela 7/6(4) 6/4

1/8 : Yevgeny Kafelnikov (5) d. Mark Philippoussis (11) 7/6(4) 6/3

1/4 : Yevgeny Kafelnikov (5) d. Gustavo Kuerten (2) 6/4 7/5

1/2 : Yevgeny Kafelnikov (5) d. Arnaud Di Pasquale 6/4 6/4

F : Yevgeny Kafelnikov (5) d. Tommy Haas 7/6(4) 3/6 6/2 4/6 6/3