Nicolas Lapentti reacts to a missed opportunity to break. (Gary Landers photo) | ZOOM |

        MASON — Albert Costa returned to ATP Tennis Center on Monday, historically his worst stop during the Tennis Masters Series. But things are different this year because Costa is armed with the confidence of a Grand Slam champion.

        It's confidence he gained by winning the French Open in June, and Costa hopes it will lead him to brighter days and nights in Cincinnati.

        “I'm very motivated to play here,” said Costa, who beat Nicolas Lapentti 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 Monday to advance in singles competition. “I know some years, I haven't played so good here, but I feel like I can.”

IF YOU GO

What: Western & Southern Financial Group Masters.     Where: ATP Tennis Center, Mason.     Today's schedule: Sessions at 11 a.m., 7 p.m.     TV: 1-3 p.m., ESPN (live), 10 p.m.-midnight, ESPN2 (same-day delayed)     Tickets: Available for both sessions at $20 each. Call 651-0303 or TicketMaster at 562-4949 (www.ticketmaster.com). Click here to view tournament draw bracket (Acrobat PDF file, 10K)

        Last year's tournament marked the second consecutive year that Costa was eliminated in the first round. The 27-year old Spaniard survived two rounds of play in 1998 and 1999.

        But Costa was quick to point to 1997, when he reached the semifinals .

        “I think I can make it again,” said Costa, who is 6-5 in Cincinnati.

        The ATP Tennis Center's hard playing surface isn't as appealing to him as clay courts, but Costa was comfortable enough to rally against Lapentti after losing the first set.

        Winning a Grand Slam event and fulfilling a dream can give a guy that kind of confidence.

        “You believe you can do it because you did something bigger,” Costa said.

        Winning another Grand Slam event isn't a dream any longer, but a goal.

        The French Open victory was part of what has been a great year for Costa. Before winning in France, Costa married Christina, the mother of his 1-year-old twins, Claudia and Alma. They often travel with him, although they didn't make the trip to Cincinnati.

        Costa's new dream is to become the No.1-ranked player in the world — if only for one week, he said. Currently, he is No.7 in the world, and the seventh seed in the tournament.

        “It's going to be very difficult,” Costa said, “but it's another dream.”

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