May 15, 2004
Capriati, Mauresmo Meet in Rome Final
ROME, Italy - Jennifer Capriati storms into her first final of the season
with a 64 64 victory over No.1 seed Serena Williams at the Telecom Italia
Masters.
Capriati defeated the top seeded and favored Williams for the first time in
their last eight meetings, dating back to the 2001 Canadian Open.
"I've lost to her so many times in a row. It's a very personal victory
for me," Capriati said following the match.
Williams felt positive about her play in Rome, but commented, "There are
some things I want to work on going into the French. I'm definitely going
to ameliorate them and become a real force by French Open time."
Capriati had a 5-1 lead in the second set and looked to lock in the win
early. However, she had trouble closing out the match, as Williams came
back, still down 5-4. Williams had her chance to even the score to 5-5
with two break points but was unable to capitalize. Capriati held her
serve, denying Williams the chance to push for three sets.
Capriati's win over Williams serves as a tremendous boost for Capriati
heading into Roland Garros, who has been fighting to regain the form she
displayed when she won Roland Garros in 2001.
Looking at Sunday's final in Rome, Capriati will be making her first Tier
I final appearance since Miami 2003 and her first time in the finals of
Rome. Her previous best result at the Telecom Masters Italia was a
semifinalist showing in 2002, where she lost to eventual champion Serena
Williams.
Capriati has avenged that loss and looks to avenge another, suffered last
week in Berlin. Capriati will face Amelie Mauresmo in the finals, whom she
suffered a 62 60 loss to in the semifinals of the Ladies German Open.
Mauresmo felt that win over Capriati was one of the best matches she has
personally played recently.
Mauresmo hopes to find the near-perfect form that brought her the title last
week in Berlin. She is also hoping to win her first title in Rome, after
reaching the finals on three previous occasions but never quite able to
capture the trophy.
Mauresmo, familiar to the Sunday in Rome, stated, "Maybe the fourth time
will be good for me. Anyway, it's going to be good preparation for the French
Open."
Mauresmo cruised to her second consecutive final on clay by defeating No.8
seed Vera Zvonareva 62 63 in just over one hour.
In doubles action, the No.1 seeded team of Virginia Ruano Pascual and Paola
Suarez will meet the recent dominating team of Nadia Petrova and Meghann
Shaughnessy. Petrova and Shaughnessy have defeated Ruano Pascual and Suarez
at their last three events, advancing on to win the three onsecutive titles
of Miami, Amelia Island and Berlin.
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