22 Nov 2003 - Olympic Stadium, Moscow, RUS - Chris Bowers
USA v FRA
Mauresmo’s Form Too Much for Spirited Raymond
Form doesn’t always count for everything in team tennis, but Amelie
Mauresmo’s red-hot streak has continued into the 2003 Fed Cup final.
The 24-year-old French No 1 beat Lisa Raymond 64 63 to give France the
opening rubber of the best-of-five match final and confirm herself as
the most influential player of the competition's concluding week. The
form she played herself into by winning in Philadelphia and reaching
the finals in Moscow and Los Angeles has continued into her Fed Cup
matches, and on this form the world No 4 has to count as the third-best
player in the world given that No 3 Serena Williams has not played since
July.
The feature of Mauresmo’s recent run of form is her willingness to
go forward, and against one of the most accomplished net players on
the WTA Tour she won several points at the net. Though both teams were
away from home in Moscow’s Olympic Stadium, Mauresmo also profited
from much greater support, with close to a thousand vociferous and
flag-waving French fans making it feel like a corner of France.
Most importantly, Mauresmo showed her best form when she needed it most.
After a tight first set which featured breaks of serve in the first three
games, Raymond broke the American to lead 3-1. At that stage the 30-year-old
Pennsylvanian was becoming increasingly effective with her sliced backhand
and well-judged rushes to the net.
But the prospect of a final set galvanised Mauresmo into baring her teeth.
She broke back straight away, to begin a run of five games which saw her
to victory in an hour and 15 minutes.
Both players said the American’s 3-1 lead was the pivotal point of the
match. “I should have played a tighter game after breaking her for 3-1,”
said Raymond, “I should have served better, and once she was back at 3-3
she clearly grew in confidence.”
Mauresmo said: “It was strange because when she broke me I really felt my
game was coming together and then I won five games on the run. I knew I
would have some opportunities to break her back, and that’s what I did
in the next three service games.”
The Frenchwoman was also highly complimentary about the French fans, who
have travelled to Moscow to support their team. “We have some support
from our fans from home,” she said, “it feels great, and it’s great
to play in this kind of atmosphere.”
The US cause now lies with Meghann Shaughnessy, who took to the court against
Mary Pierce for the second rubber of the final. Shaughnessy needs to win at
least one of her two singles matches for the US to retain the chance of
lifting the Cup for the 18th time.
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