Mission Accomplished For France
25 Apr 2004 - Coliseum d'Amiens, Amiens, FRA - Catherine Luiggi - FRA v GER
Mission Accomplished For France
Reigning Fed Cup Champions France fulfilled their mission this weekend with
a 5-0 victory over Germany in the first round of the Fed Cup played on the
clay courts of Amiens, France.
Their destiny on day two was in the hands today of France’s No.1 player
Amelie Mauresmo, who is on a ten match winning streak in Fed Cup singles.
“This definitely helps my confidence in my career”, a jubilant Mauresmo
said after taking the decisive point in just over an hour. “Our contract
is fulfilled. We listened to every word that our Captain Guy Forget told
us during this past week, constantly reminding us that a nonchalant attitude
against the Germans would be a mistake. We are happy to have won quickly in
three matches”.
In the first match, Nathalie Dechy was on a rocky road throughout against the
young and menacing Anna-Lena Groenefeld. After a tiebreak in the first set,
won by the German, Dechy turned the match upside down by taking the second
set 61, the scenario many had expected to see from the beginning of the
match. The French No.2 wavered slightly at the start of the third set but
steadied to take the match 67(4) 61 64. “I was nervous throughout the
match,” a relieved Dechy said afterwards, “but I got through it. This
first point was so important for us to win. The best moment for me was match
point!”
Following Dechy on court was teammate and World No.3 Amelie Mauresmo who
stormed through the second rubber, totally overwhelming her opponent
Barbara Rittner 61 62. Ahead 2-0, things were looking good for the defending
champions for Sunday, the team hoping to take the decisive point in the first
reverse singles rubber. But caution was necessary - who knew if Anna-Lena
Groenefeld would be able to display her talent and take revenge against
Mauresmo. After all, as French Captain Guy Forget said on the eve of the
day two - “anything is possible in the Fed Cup”.
Mauresmo entered the arena full of confidence and aggression and raced to a
3-0 lead. The Frenchwoman never let the 2003 Roland Garros junior champion –
playing in her first Fed Cup tie – produce the attacking game she is reputed
for.
The two last rubbers were won in straight sets by Emile Loit over Julia
Schruff and Dechy and Mauresmo over Julia Schruff and Groenefeld earning
France a 5-0 whitewash.
The satisfaction was immense, and the reigning Fed Cup champions are looking
forward to their next round against either Italy or Czech Republic. “The
ambiance was fantastic this week and Amelie brought us the final point with
great conviction,” Forget after the deciding point. “The girls were so
happy to be together again, the first time since December, and we all look
forward to our next tie.”
When asked about their next round, the optimism and excitement was unanimous
amongst the French team. “Should we play Italy, Schiavone and Farina have
had very good results,” Mauresmo said. “The level of the tie will be higher
than this weekend. And what’s more, we’ll be playing outside and on their
turf. We’ll have to be well prepared, but our team is strong and we are all
very optimistic.”
When asked if the French team saw themselves as the favourite for this
year’s title, Forget responded with typical humility: “No, not at all.
Despite the fact that the Americans and the Belgians have some difficulties,
the two teams are stronger than us on the records. But with good preparation,
and optimum physical form, we have our chances. But we’ll have to beat the
Italians or the Czechs first, which won’t be an easy matter.”
http://www.fedcup.com/news/matchreport.asp?id=10445
--
※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc)
◆ From: 140.112.234.152
FRA_hotties 近期熱門文章
PTT體育區 即時熱門文章
104
205
124
188
