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Clijsters, Capriati join Serena, Rubin in last 16
Paris, May 31: Second seed Kim Clijsters of Belgium and US seventh seed Jennifer Capriati raced into the fourth round of the French Open here today, scoring routine successes against outclassed opponents.
Paris, May 31: Second seed Kim Clijsters of Belgium and US seventh seed Jennifer Capriati raced into the fourth round of the French Open here today, scoring routine successes against outclassed opponents.
Capriati became the third American woman into the last 16 after blasting Ukraine's Julia Vakulenko 6-1 6-2 in just 57 minutes on the Suzanne Lenglen court to book a meeting with Nadia Petrova of Russia, who demolished Marissa Irvin of the United States 6-1 6-1.
Capriati beat Clijsters here in a thrilling 2001 final which went to a women's record 12-10 in the final set. This year both women are heading the opposition to defending champion Serena Williams and last year's beaten finalist Venus Williams, who was today up against Silvia Farina Elia of Italy.
Clijsters meanwhile walloped Paola Suarez of Argentina 6-2 6-1 win in 64min on the Philippe Chatrier Centre Court.
Capriati, who like Clijsters has dropped only nine games to march into the last 16, played her best match of the tournament so far against grand slam debutant Vakulenko, just 19, to join Serena, bidding here for a fifth straight grand slam title, and eighth seed Chanda Rubin in the next round.
The 27-year-old New Yorker broke serve three times to take the first set in 25 minutes and kept up the pressure in the second to run out an easy winner, sealing qualification on her third match point when her opponent hit long.
Bureau Report
Capriati became the third American woman into the last 16 after blasting Ukraine's Julia Vakulenko 6-1 6-2 in just 57 minutes on the Suzanne Lenglen court to book a meeting with Nadia Petrova of Russia, who demolished Marissa Irvin of the United States 6-1 6-1.
Capriati beat Clijsters here in a thrilling 2001 final which went to a women's record 12-10 in the final set. This year both women are heading the opposition to defending champion Serena Williams and last year's beaten finalist Venus Williams, who was today up against Silvia Farina Elia of Italy.
Clijsters meanwhile walloped Paola Suarez of Argentina 6-2 6-1 win in 64min on the Philippe Chatrier Centre Court.
Capriati, who like Clijsters has dropped only nine games to march into the last 16, played her best match of the tournament so far against grand slam debutant Vakulenko, just 19, to join Serena, bidding here for a fifth straight grand slam title, and eighth seed Chanda Rubin in the next round.
The 27-year-old New Yorker broke serve three times to take the first set in 25 minutes and kept up the pressure in the second to run out an easy winner, sealing qualification on her third match point when her opponent hit long.
Bureau Report