January 2002
Australian Open
Jennifer Capriati fights back every time.
And, although she probably wishes that the first two sets of the 2002
Australian Open final against Martina Hingis were a drop easier, we think
they were perfect. After all, it takes a true champion to turn around a
match where you're down a set and four games. But Jennifer did. She's a true
athlete, an inspiration, and, once again, the Australian Open women's champion.
The two faced each other Saturday, January 26 in a repeat of last year's
final round. The Aussie sun was extremely hot as was the tension on the
court. (According to the New York Times, some thermometers around the court
registered 116 degrees!) After Hingis got to 4-0 in the second, Jennifer's
true spirit came to play. She met the challenge, won the second in a 9-7 tie
break and, after a 10-minute break because of the heat, soundly finished off
Hingis 6-2 in a 31-minute third set.
"I had a lot on my shoulders," Jennifer told the Australian Open site
reporter. "Just being defending champion, No.1 and trying to keep the No.1
status. I didn't feel like I was playing my best tennis in the beginning,
but I really just fought hard out there. As long as you just stay in there
and try your hardest and try to fight, it can win you matches-and that's
exactly what I did today."
Before the finals
In the semis, Jennifer played one of her toughest opponents, Belgium's Kim
Clijsters. The 18- year-old pushed Jennifer hard during the match,
especially during the second set. It was game after game of incredible
baseline rallies and powerhouse hits. But Jennifer demonstrated her
trademark determination and won in three sets (7-5 3-6 6-1).
During the first five rounds, Jennifer only had to play a full three sets
during her third round match against Greece's Eleni Daniilidou. She defeated
Croatia's Silvija Talaja, the United States' Meilen Tu, Italy's Rita Grande,
and France's Amelie Mauresmo in straight sets.
Jennifer entered the 2002 Australian Open
as the tournament's top seed and defending champion. Her win at the 2001
Aussie put the world on notice that the adult Jennifer is one of the most
powerful (and hard-working) women to ever hit the tour. The 2002 Aussie
tournament is Jennifer's seventh. She won the 2001 tournament, reached the
quarter finals in 1992 and '93, and powered into the semi-finals in 2000.
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