August, 28th 2003
US Open
After her first round match, which she practically completed at the speed of
light in just 35 minutes, No. 6 women's seed Jennifer Capriati needed a full
one hour and three minutes to defeat 22-year-old Martina Sucha of Slovakia,
6-1, 6-1 in the second round of play.
Sucha started out looking good, winning her first two points. Then someone
in the stands shouted "Go Martina!" This seemed to have the opposite of its
intended effect, and Sucha promptly began sending shots into the net, giving
the first game over to Capriati.
Although the two engaged in numerous baseline rallies, Capriati almost
always prevailed.
In the third game of the first set, Sucha managed two points when Capriati
sent shots first into the net and then long. However, on the next point,
Capriati quickly slammed a backhand well out of Sucha's reach.
In game four, a couple of errant shots by Capriati gave the game to Sucha,
her first and only break of the match.
But in game five, Capriati broke back and then held to go up 5-1.
By game six, both women were breathing hard, and Sucha continued to show
flashes of the talent that got her into the second round, sending a
rocket-like forehand down the line. But they were just that: flashes.
Capriati broke to take the first set 6-1.
By the second set, with her customary new racquet, Capriati buckled down and
focused on the task at hand. At one point she was momentarily distracted by
a group of fans chanting "Let's go Jennifer, let's go!" She even snuck in a
peek as the group was featured on the video board overhead.
However, as the set continued, Capriati began to visibly tire and, after
faltering during a few points, also seemed agitated by the noise in the
stadium, complaining to the chair umpire who issued a warning to the crowd.
It was Capriati's match all the way, but while the tennis-savvy crowd showed
their appreciation for her, in typical New York fashion they also showed
their support for Sucha, encouraging her from beginning to end.
Capriati continues her quest in the third round on Saturday.
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