By Amy Shipley
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, June 4, 1998; Page C1

PARIS, June 3 — The Roland Garros Stadium crowd cheered wildly as Frenchman Cedric Pioline approached at the service line, preparing to close out his 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 (8-6), 4-6, 6-3 French Open quarterfinal victory over Hicham Arazi today. Violating tennis's code of etiquette, stray shouts of support rang out while Pioline stood poised to serve out the match. Distracted, he stepped back for a breath of composure.

After a moment, Pioline returned to the line and recommenced his service routine. But more cries from the crowd disturbed him a second time, resulting in another step back, another deep breath and, finally, another return to the line. Remarkably, there was a third shout from the crowd. Pioline stepped back again.

The uncontrolled enthusiasm was understandable. Pioline, 28, was about to become the first Frenchman since Henri Leconte in 1992 to advance to the semifinals of the French Open, which hasn't been won by a Frenchman since Yannick Noah in 1983.

On the other side of the net Arazi gripped his racket loosely, unfazed by the boisterous crowd. In fact he enjoyed the display, he said after the match. Only one thing angered him: his performance.

Arazi, a left-handed Moroccan who was a quarterfinalist here last year, chided himself for not approaching the net more. And for not winning more of his numerous break point chances. And for allowing his mind to wander to his potential semifinal opponent — Alex Corretja — after seeing fatigue in Pioline's slumping shoulders.

Waiting in the semifinal round were a trio of Spanish semifinalists, none of them top seeds: Carlos Moya, Felix Mantilla and Corretja, who defeated Filip Dewulf, 7-5, 6-4, 6-3, in today's other quarterfinal.

"I was thinking of the match I could play against Corretja," Arazi said. "That explains why I lost my focus at certain points. I could see Cedric getting tired. I guess that's what triggered all this. I'm the sort of person who will indulge in his feelings. When I'm in a match and feeling control of a match, I'm already involved in the following match."

Arazi's involvement in the semifinals ended with today's premature ruminations. When Pioline finally served, the pair exchanged shots from the baseline in a rally that abruptly ended when Arazi hit a forehand long, the ball sailing and skidding out of bounds at Pioline's feet. Pioline leaped up as the ball hit the ground and began a celebration that lasted until he walked to the locker room. There, Pioline showered, relaxed and napped, emerging more than two-and-a-half hours later.

As Arazi had guessed, Pioline was exhausted by the 3 hour 43 minute match, his third three-set match of the tournament. That was evident in the number of unforced errors he committed — 83 to Arazi's 66. Pioline said fatigue set in at the end of the fourth set.

"I'm quite tired," he said. "I really felt I gave everything today. Every game, I think he had a break point. It was very difficult.

"I knew it was going to be hard. I didn't think it was going to be as difficult as that. I didn't think he would cling to the game as he did to the end."

Pioline took advantage of more opportunities than Arazi, who had 21 break opportunities but converted five. Pioline converted five of 15 break chances.

"I remained very clear-sighted," Pioline said. "I think experience helped a lot. I used a lot of willpower. I didn't want to let go . . . I think I played better the key points."

Pioline has an 18-9 record in 10 French Opens. A finalist at the 1993 U.S. Open and Wimbledon in '97, his previous best result here was a quarterfinal finish in 1996.

"I always wanted to play very good tennis here," Pioline said. "For me it's something huge. I know I'm having an experience that's very important to me. It's fantastic.

"I now have three Spanish against me. It's going to be tough, but why not?"