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| Capriati cruises to quarterfinals |
September, 5th 2004
US Open
A tennis match often comes down to a handful of points. Ai Sugiyama let a crucial set
point slip through her fingers, allowing a free-swinging Jennifer Capriati to grab
a fist full of confidence and a fourth-round, 7-5, 6-2 win.
The two baseliners battled
fiercely for the opening set of the contest. Sugiyama struck the first blow,
breaking Capriati at love to take a 5-3 lead. A determined Capriati broke
back, narrowing Sugiyama's margin to 5-4.
Capriati again found herself in trouble, as Sugiyama had gained a set point.
After a lengthy rally Sugiyama over-hit a routine forehand approach shot
long. Capriati won the next two points and held to even the match at five games all.
A resurgent Capriati never looked back and broke Sugiyama for a second time
in the ensuing game and served out the set, 7-5.
With the wind clearly out of her sails, Sugiyama offered little resistance
in the second set, giving up her serve twice. On match point, Capriati executed
a textbook cross-court, angle-volley winner into the open court.
In the quarterfinals, Capriati will meet Serena Williams for a rematch of
their Wimbledon quarterfinal clash.
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