Mauresmo makes it look easy
By Guillaume Baraise
Sunday, June 1, 2003
Amelie Mauresmo gave a stunning demonstration of top quality tennis on
Philippe Chatrier Court this afternoon, crushing Magui Serna 6-1 6-2 in
exactly one hour. Many had predicted a hard slog for the French hope against
her canny Spanish opponent, who had looked impressive so far. As it turned
out Mauresmo was never troubled. So, the quarter final everyone has been
waiting for is definitely on – Amelie Mauresmo v Serena Williams. Hold
onto your hats.
Mauresmo finally put to bed all the doubts over her Roland-Garros
temperament. Magui Serna was just the sort of clay court aficionado who
could prey on the nerves of a much-vaunted local playing in front of a
packed home crowd. Serna has won two clay court titles already this year,
in Estoril and Budapest, and even though Mauresmo had a 3-0 record over
the left hander from Las Palmas, she knew that would count for little
under the burning heat. Somewhat fickle when it comes to supporting their
own, the French fans would have turned against her had she failed this
test of will. Fail it she did not.
After just 21 minutes, the 14,000 fans crammed into Philippe Chatrier
Court were applauding at the end of a first set won hands down by the
tactically solid French No1. She had obviously received instructions
from coach Loic Courteau to attack Serna on her backhand. The Spaniard
has a handy sliced shot on that side, but her inability to drive and
attack from her right hand side is an obvious handicap. So it turned
out. 'Ame' picked her off at will, choosing her time to attack nicely
and serving solidly as well.
Match point sums it up
The second set was only slightly less of a formality. Serna hung on in
there, saving three break points in her first service game and two in her
second, but she was only delaying the inevitable. At 2-2, Amelie broke
clear and it was virtually all over. The exchange on match point probably
summed up the encounter. Her stunning volley past the hapless Spaniard
meant she could head for the locker room, happy to escape the scorching
sun and no doubt delighted with her determined display.
"I played really well. I approached the match in the right manner, because
Serna can be very dangerous on clay. I wanted to dictate matters and
managed to keep her well back behind the baseline," said Mauresmo.
Time to take a breather before the crunch match against Serena Williams.
A title decider before its time?
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文章清潔老大不適用英文:S
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