Mauresmo Makes First Move
Monday, June 20, 2005
Amelie Mauresmo's reputation of failing when the going gets tough, will
certainly be tested over the coming days. For the moment, though, following
her unexpected early defeat at Eastbourne, she can be satisfied with a well
executed opening match which hardly stretched her talents.
Mauresmo required just 61 minutes to dispatch the Hungarian Melinda Czink in
straight sets 6-3, 6-2. Czink had arrived at these Championships with the
benefit of playing three gruelling matches in last week's qualifying
competition at Roehampton. There she lost in the final, but then gained a
second chance as she was handed a 'lucky loser' ticket.
Mauresmo, as mentioned, honed her own game on the south coast at Eastbourne
where she lost rather unfortunately to the 18 year-old Russian Vera
Douchevina, a former junior Wimbledon champion who then went on to reach the
final of the Hastings Direct International.
Despite their respective recent hiccups, Mauresmo showed she had the better
pedigree by dominating her opponent from the outset.
Her serve proved too hot for the Hungarian, whilst her speed about the court
ensured she retained command of the proceedings, including the net. It also
allowed her to play with a freedom which produced some uninhibited tennis
reflected in her 25 winning shots. The 20 unforced errors made by Czink led
to the Hungarian showing flashes of irritation.
The third seed, who dropped her serve once, never really looked threatened.
It almost looked as if she was out on the practice courts as she broke
Czink's serve four times, delivered eight aces despite only delivering 52 per
cent of her firsts serves in, but converting 82 per cent of them.
Mauresmo, who is also prone to injury, declared herself free of any physical
problems. "I'm feeling pretty good physically," she said. "I hope to get a
few more matches to really feel one 100 per cent on court and with my game."
And as far as her own chances are concerned, she simply added: "We'll see -
it's always tough to see until the end! One has to play match after match at
these big tournaments.
"I had to really forget last week's disappointment and I am satisfied - it's
not that I was doubting myself because my game is still there."
Written by Henry Wancke
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