- News>
- Tennis
Capriati to clash with Clijsters in semifinal showdown
Berlin, May 10: Jennifer Capriati and Kim Clijsters have a chance to repeat their clay-court magic from the 2001 French Open final after both players notched straight-set victories yesterday to set up a semifinal showdown at the German Open.
Berlin, May 10: Jennifer Capriati and Kim Clijsters have a chance to repeat their clay-court magic from the 2001 French Open final after both players notched straight-set victories yesterday to set up a semifinal showdown at the German
Open.
Capriati, seeded fourth, struggled in the second set but knocked off Elena Likhovtseva of Russia 6-3, 6-3 in damp and dark conditions, which the American called "dreary."
The top-seeded Clijsters won the first seven games of her quarterfinal against No. 7 Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia and completed a 6-0, 6-3 victory in 54 minutes.
Capriati was quick to win the first set and streaked to a 4-1 lead before Likhovtseva pulled within 4-3. The Russian had four break points to even the second set in the eighth game, but Capriati saved them all and Likhovtseva netted a backhand to surrender after 72 minutes.
Capriati said she was pleased with her performance. She has not dropped a set in her first three matches on the clay this season in preparation for the French Open, which starts later this month in Paris.
"It's a good sign to still be able to play well today," said the 2001 French Open winner. "That's Europe. You have to be able to cope with the conditions. You just have to have patience and don't let them frustrate you."
Capriati, a three-time grand slam winner, has climbed back to No. 7 in the world after an eye operation forced a month-long layoff following the Australian Open.
Bureau Report
Capriati, seeded fourth, struggled in the second set but knocked off Elena Likhovtseva of Russia 6-3, 6-3 in damp and dark conditions, which the American called "dreary."
The top-seeded Clijsters won the first seven games of her quarterfinal against No. 7 Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia and completed a 6-0, 6-3 victory in 54 minutes.
Capriati was quick to win the first set and streaked to a 4-1 lead before Likhovtseva pulled within 4-3. The Russian had four break points to even the second set in the eighth game, but Capriati saved them all and Likhovtseva netted a backhand to surrender after 72 minutes.
Capriati said she was pleased with her performance. She has not dropped a set in her first three matches on the clay this season in preparation for the French Open, which starts later this month in Paris.
"It's a good sign to still be able to play well today," said the 2001 French Open winner. "That's Europe. You have to be able to cope with the conditions. You just have to have patience and don't let them frustrate you."
Capriati, a three-time grand slam winner, has climbed back to No. 7 in the world after an eye operation forced a month-long layoff following the Australian Open.
Bureau Report