 |
| After slow start, Capriati shines |
30 agosto 2004
US Open
In a contest that seemed to be the confluence of qualitatively different
matches, Jennifer Capriati overcame a dismal first set to beat Denisa
Chladkova of the Czech Republic, 2-6, 6-1, 6-2.
The three-time Grand Slam
champion opened her run at a US Open title with uncharacteristically flat
groundstrokes and was overwhelmed by Chladkova's less than overwhelming
serves. Acknowledging that the strong wind made it difficult for her to
settle into the first set, Capriati told herself "to be more aggressive
during the second set," and "mentally, to be more calm."
In the second set, Capriati responded by dominating Chladkova with both the
force and consistency of her groundstrokes. Yielding only six unforced
errors in the second and third sets combined, Capriati rarely gave points
away and took full advantage of her serve -- with a first-serve percentage
well over 80% in the last two sets.
Ahead 1-0 in the third, Capriati, a semifinalist on three occasions at
Flushing Meadows, broke the Czech's serve and never looked back.
After the match, the former world No. 1 conceded that adding a U.S. Open
championship to her storied career is her top priority.
"Winning the [US] Open would be a dream come true," she said. "It
would certainly be the icing on the cake for my career."
Capriati continues her quest Wednesday when she faces Spain's Magui Serna.
|
|
.gif){kind=small}