PARIS June 5: With brilliant defensive tennis. Arantxa Sanchez icsrlo stopped

■BTsurge of po

wer Pierce to win

the French Open on Sunday, her first Grand Slam title since her surprise victory here in 1989 renorts AP

Pierce, who stunned top seeded Steffi Graf in straight sets in the semifinals, had the 'Centre Court crowd behind her as she sought to become the first French woman since 1967 to win the title.

Bui Sanchez Vicario, the No. 2 seed, showed more experience and steadiness in a 6-4. 6-4 win. frustrating Pierce by. retrieving seemingly out-of reach groundstrokes and fobbing saves deep Into the other side of the court.

Among the crowd were King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain, who were assured of an unprecedented double triumph. The men’s final later in the day matched two Spaniards — unseeded Alberto Berasategui and defending champion Sergi Bruguera.

The women's final pitted Vicario, against the player rapidly establishing herself as the most feared attacker.

But mistakes proved decisive Pierce the No. 12 seed, ended the match with 51 unforced errors to 30 for Sanchez Vicario

"She gave everything,’ Sanchez Vicario said. "But I have more experience on these special occasions I was very patient."

Neither player had lost a set en route to the final, but Pierce broke a tournament record by losing only 10 games, compared to 27 for Sanchez Vicario

*Aranxta Just made me play bad * Pierce said. 1 wasn't moving to well. I was making to many mistakes '

At one point she called up to her mother. ’My feet are like lead.'

The final had been scheduled for'Saturday, but started four and a half hours late, then was suspended after 17 minutes because of rain with Pierce leading 2-1 and up a break.

Pierce got that break point as play resumed Sunday to go up 3-1. but Sanchez Vicario was unrattled

'I knew could come beck.’ she said ’My strategy was to move her around ... She cant make all the shots'

The next game, a 15-minute struggle, proved to be the turning point With a series of superb defensive shots. Sanchez Vicario saved three game points and earned four break points of her own. winning the Iasi one when she returned a Pierce smash for a

Back on serve Instead of trailing 4-1. Sanchez Vicario settled down, and later broke Pierce in the ninth game en route to winning the set.

In the second set. Sancfez Vicario broke Pierces serve three more times, while losing her own serve twice Match point typified the contest — pierce hit a backhand wide, and Sanchez Vicario screamed in delight.

Tm very, very happy about the tournament — except for today.’ Pierce said. ’It Just wasn't my day.’Sanchez Vicario entered the final with a 3-1 edge in head-.to-head meetings, but Pierce won their last match 6-4. 2-6. 6-1 on clay at Hilton Head earlier this year

Pierce. 19. had never before got past the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam..She has won five tournaments In her career, compared to 15 for Sanchez Vicario.

Sanchez. 22. had been In three other Grand Slam finals since winning her in 1989

Before Sunday, either Gref or Monica Seles had won the. past 13 Grand Slams dating back through the Australian Open in 1991. This was only the second Grand Slam final since the 1978 French Open In which neither Graf nor Seles played.

Pierce was the second low est seed to reach the final after Natalia Zvereva. No. 13 when she was shut out by Graf in 1988.