Williams Sisters & Mauresmo Out, Henman Still In
It's probably only right that the way Russian women have been dominating the
women's tennis circuit that they would feature prominently at the French Open.
The had twelve women in the first round, three in the quarterfinals and there
are two in the semifinals - Anastasia Myskina and Elena Dementieva.
Earlier this year Russia became only the third nation to have three or more
women in the world's top ten, joining the USA and France with that statistic.
Myskina advanced to the semifinals of a Slam for the first time when she
defeated Venus Williams 63 64 while Dementieva probably made herself the most
unpopular player in France when she defeated Amelie Mauresmo by the identical
score.
Myskina had never beaten Venus before, they had played twice. She said she
fought very hard and was determined to walk off Court Suzanne Lenglen as a
winner.
Myskina felt that Venus was not at her best level and went into the match
confident that she could beat her. Normally Venus would be spraying winners
across the court, this time she was struggling with unforced errors, and with
that Myskina just kept the ball in play and waited.
"I'm really, really happy but you know it's not the end of the tournament so
I have to keep going," said Myskina, who had never gone past the second round
in four previous outings at Roland Garros. "My dream was to win the first
round here.
"In Australia (quarterfinals) I lost to Kim (Clijsters) just because I was
kind of not ready to win the match. Today I was really ready to win and I
knew that I could do it. I just was fighting, fighting every point."
The Russian is of the opinion that the mystique that surrounded the Williams
sisters is not so strong anymore and the other women players walk on court
not feeling so intimidated. The sisters had been off the tour for so long
because of injuries and throughout that time the other players had been
working and playing matches.
"They lost a lot of months," said Myskina. "Now of course everybody believe
at least they can fight with them. It's something we can do right now."
Dementieva meanwhile was the major underdog against Amelie Mauresmo. Not that
many really have a major chance but she proved them all wrong. She played with
no pressure. She went on court and gave it all she had, playing the ball
deep and aggressively.
"I was very positive and calm during the match," said Dementieva. "Last time
I was in the semifinals was four years ago, so it was a long time ago. I
wasn't ready and I couldn't handle the pressure. I didn't know what to do.
"Now I have more experience and I did everything right before this tournament.
It's a good result and I will never forget this, first time playing on the
centre court against Amelie, and I won it. But I feel like it's not the best
I can do."
Mauresmo admitted to feeling the pressure and the hopes of France riding on
her shoulders. She said: "Dementieva played well. I had ups and downs. I
think I still have work to do. I think I have been successful at other
tournaments because there are not in France like this. It is still difficult
for me and there's a lot of frustration. I'm disappointed."
Jennifer Capriati is hoping that history repeats itself in Paris. In 2001
when she won the title she beat Serena Williams in the quarterfinal as well.
Capriati was jumping for joy when Serena's forehand went into the net on
match point for the 63 26 63 result. She was almost as though she had won the
tournament.
"I'm just so happy and so relieved," said Capriati. "I looked up at my
parents there and I was just like 'finally , it's about time one of these
went my way for once'. I felt like I really earned it. I had to earn it I
feel like I really played better out there and just deserved the win."
The match ended with a questionable call. Capriati hit the ball deep and she
thought it landed on the line and Serena missed it, but in fact the ball was
called long. The crowd started booing but the chair umpire called for the
point to be replayed and then Serena returned it into the net.
Conditions for the match were difficult. The day's schedule had already been
delayed by an hour because of rain and for most of the day it was stop, start
tennis because of the weather. The court and balls were heavy which slowed
things down.
"It's tough, the different tension on the racquets but I wouldn't say it was
like one of the worst conditions," she said. "I mean, it's still not as bad as
like sometimes going on and off the court like Wimbledon, or being so hot."
Her attention will now be on Myskina. Capriati says it not that surprising to
not have the Williams sisters always there anymore. Tennis fans will now have
to wait till Wimbledon to see the return of an all-Williams match. It was at
the All England Club that the sisters last played one another ... that was
the final.
In the men's, Guillermo Coria continues to light up the clay courts. He is yet
to drop a set at this French open and for the second year running got to the
semis. The Argentine defeated former titleholder Carlos Moya 75 76 63. He will
take on Tim Henman who has shocked everyone by serving and volleying his way
to the semis. Henman defeated Juan Ignacio Chela 62 64 64, to become the first
British man through to the semifinals here for 41 years. Mike Sangster, a big
server from Torquay, was the man who last achieved this feat, but Henman has
done so not only with impressive serving but an attacking all-court game.
Both Henman and Chela looked shocked at the end of the match, a fitting end
to a rather surprising day.
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---禪心已作沾泥絮，莫向春風舞鷓鴣---
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