Kim was too strong for Mary
15 February 2004 - Emmanuel LANGELLIER
As Mary admitted during the trophy ceremony, the Flemish player was too
strong in the final taking place on Sunday and she logically prevailed
6-2, 6-1 in 58 minutes. It’s a masterstroke for her first participation.
The first attempts turned into a masterstroke. Taking part for the first
time of her career in the Open Gaz de France, at the Pierre de Coubertin
Stadium, Kim Clijsters hit hard by winning the title. The final of the 2004
staging was expected to be promising thanks the game and the good shape of
both players but it only lasted 17 minutes.
When the Belgian player was leading 3-2, the game was well-balanced. The
first games were love games and in the fourth game, the French player was
warned and had to save three break points. But in the sixth game, on
Pierce’s serve, Clijsters decided to raise her tennis and thanks to
one smash and two winning backhands, she broke away, 4-2.
Mary Pierce had just missed the train and she will never join her prestigious
opponent again. World n°2 won seven games in a row and led 6-2, 3-0 after 45
minutes of game. Being less at ease on her serves than in her previous
matches, the French player collapsed in front of the mastery and the power
of Lleyton Hewitt’s fiancee. After 58 minutes, and despite the support of
her fans, the die was cast. In two little sets 6-2, 6-1, Kim Clijsters won
her 20th title on the WTA circuit. Like Mary Pierce admitted a few minutes
later during the traditional trophy ceremony, "Kim Clijsters was too strong."
However, Mary Pierce should not be ashamed from this harsh defeat, after
three months of absence. For her first tournament of the season, she can
be proud of what she did this week which was highlighted by her efficient
come back. Her serve has improved and she lost some weight which helps her
to better move, and then to be more fearsome. For her part, Kim Clijsters
won her first title of the season after failing in the final in Melbourne
and she finally prevailed in Paris erasing her two defeats at the French
Open in 2001 and 2003.
" I’m always moved when I’m here. Kim was too strong. I’m sorry for you,
but I’m happy about what I did this week. Thank you for supporting me”,
Mary Pierce said during the trophy ceremony carried out by Amelie Mauresmo,
who was given an ovation by the public, delighted to see the most notable
absentee at the French tournament. “There was a lot of noise on the court
but I love playing in this kind of atmosphere. I would like to thank you. I
could not do better for my first participation” Kim Clijsters said, as
cheerful as usual.
http://www.opengazdefrance.com/en/open2004/accueil/story_129724.shtml
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