September, 7th 2004
US Open
The seventeenth edition of the Serena Williams-Jennifer Capriati
rivalry took another twist and transcended its showcase
billing on Day 9 of the 2004 US Open, becoming an instant classic, filled
with spectacular shot-making from both players, a controversial ruling by
the chair umpire, and, in the end, an emotional quarterfinal victory for
Capriati in three sets, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.
With the win, Capriati advanced to the women's semifinals for the second
consecutive year, fourth overall, where she will meet Elena Dementieva of
Russia, and continue her quest for a first-ever US Open women's championship.
Capriati is 3-0 in
her career against Dementieva, the sixth-seed, and upended her in the Round
of 16 at the 2003 US Open.
"I just fought hard and I prevailed because of that, because I was just
fighting," said Capriati, now 10-7 lifetime against Williams. "I
think I played smartly at times and mixed up my shots, and I just believed
in myself."
For the first time since the quarterfinals of Wimbledon in 2001, Capriati
came back from a set behind, and defeated her career rival.
"There's no place I'd rather be, no matter how hard it can actually be,"
said Capriati, describing the feeling of playing in New York at the US Open.
"You feel like you want to cry out there because you want to win so bad."
The 125-minute all-American saga, a back-and-forth trial of will and might
with break points, blistering serves, and marvelous winners plastered all
over the court, intensified as the match unfolded.
Broken on her first service game of the match, Capriati fell behind quickly.
The early mistake committed against one of the best servers in tennis,
Williams held steadfast and raced out to a one-set advantage, historically,
a commanding position in their rivalry.
With Williams serving to begin the second set, Capriati drew close,
scrambling to get every ball back into play, and earned double-break point,
the second of which she converted on to return the favor on Williams.
Walloping herself on the leg to keep up the intensity, Capriati was clearly
focused on her game and intent on going to work and finding a way to grind
out the win.
"The fans are known to root for the underdog here, and I think they feel
like that I'm the underdog and maybe they just want to see me win this one,"
said Capriati, clearly pumped up throughout the match by the evening crowd.
Capping off a scintillating second set, Capriati served for the second set
at 5-4, and on a brilliant topspin overhead, leveled the battle at one set apiece.
Controversy in the beginning of the third set put a damper on the high
quality of play exhibited from Capraiti and Williams.
An overruled line call by the chair umpire on a clearly-good backhand winner
from Williams, infuriated the two-time US Open champion, who, after the
match, was given an apology for the missed call.
"She said she overruled," said Williams, referring to her discussion with
the chair umpire. "I said, 'How could you overrule a line that far away? Why
would you even overrule that shot? It didn't even touch the line.'"
After trading breaks, Capriati served for the match leading, 5-4.
As the match passed the two-hour mark, nerves took hold of Capriati,
double-faulting on the first point. Then, following a second controversial
line call, Capriati edged ahead, 30-15.
"I know my balls were in," Williams said. "It wasn't just that point, that's
the thing. I know my shots. I know in the last game those balls were in as
well. So it's like, what do you do? You just got to keep fighting."
Off a wonderful topspin backhand lob winner, Williams pinned at the net,
Capriati earned her first match point. Several tense moments later,
including yet another call that went against Williams, Capriati earned a
third match point and an errant shot from Williams into the net ended the match.
"Just to be at this point, I'm very happy," Capriati said. And, at
the end of the day, I think I can be happy with what I've done and achieved.
And even win or not win, I should just be thankful that I'm here. And it
would be great to win, but if I don't, life goes on."
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