It was a whitewash by the USA team, but the Italians got a shimmer of hope when the Italian #1 defeated the American #3 in three sets. What's more, Silvia got the better of her more experienced opponent for the first time in three encounters, of which the previous two had been straight set routs by Seles. And even worse for Seles is the Fed Cup 10-match winning streak which comes to an end. Farina exploited Seles's lack of fitness by pinning groundstrokes well into the corners of the baseline. In addition, Seles was hampered by injuries to her right arm and left hand which forced her to pull out of the second singles rubber and consequently, the tournaments in San Francisco and San Diego.
MATCH OF THE FORTNIGHT: STANFORD 1R - Jennifer CAPRIATI d. 9-Conchita MARTINEZ 5-7 6-4 6-4
It was a contrast of styles, the flat aggressive groundstrokes from Capriati against the topspin counterpunching from Martinez, which attracted quite a few spectators. More so was the fact that Capriati, on a successful comeback mission, had a real chance at upsetting this top 20 player, a player who has been struggling on fast surfaces all season. As we can see from the scoreline, the match was incredibly close, with the outcome hinging on just a few crucial points. What is great to see is that Capriati is coming back strong and that she is confident and happy with herself and with her tennis - hopefully she is groomed to be back at the top of the women's game.
Bank of the West Classic, San Francisco (Stanford)
July 26 - August 1, 1999
Hardcourt (Outdoors); Tier II tournament
Prize Pool: US$520,000; Winner's Prize: US$80,000
Defending Champion: Lindsay Davenport
STATUS OF THE SEEDS
1. Lindsay DAVENPORT (1) - WINNER
2. Venus WILLIAMS (4) - FINALIST [lost to 1-Lindsay Davenport 7-6(1) 6-2]
3. Monica SELES (5) - WITHDREW [tendinitis in right arm]
4. Amanda COETZER (9) - SEMI FINALIST [lost to 2-Venus Williams 6-1 6-4]
5. Barbara SCHETT (12) - SECOND ROUND loser [lost to Amy Frazier 6-4 6-0]
6. Anna KOURNIKOVA (13) - QUARTER FINALIST [lost to 2-Venus Williams 6-1 6-3]
7. Dominique VAN ROOST (14) - FIRST ROUND loser [lost to Anne Kremer 6-0 1- ret.]
8. Sandrine TESTUD (17) - QUARTER FINALIST [lost to 4-Amanda Coetzer 2-6 7-5 6-2]
