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Preparing for a Grand Slam Triumph - Page 12

© Michael Cecilio

Predicted Result: RUBIN in THREE SETS
Actual Result: MARTINEZ in TWO SETS

11-Nathalie TAUZIAT (FRA) vs Alexandra STEVENSON (USA)
Head-to-Head Series: FIRST MEETING
The media are going to be all over Alexandra at the US Open. I have to say I agree with Alexandra - the story of her pedigree is getting quite old, and I myself am sick of reading about it all the time. But if the story interests them, then so be it. Tennis-wise, things may not be so peachy for the powerful American, as she has been dealing with unforced error after unforced error lately. It is interesting to see how she has done since her Wimbledon campaign, and the prognosis is not good - she has not won a match since Wimbledon. Perhaps the pressure of the spotlight is getting to her, I don't know, but I do know that she is capable of much more. Luckily for her, she will be playing a player who has also hit on hard times. It is a wonder that Nathalie Tauziat has been able to remain in the top 10, or near the top 10, for all of the season, given that she has lost so many opening round matches in a row. If Stevenson can develop an ounce of patience in her game, she would have the ability to overpower her opponent successfully. I'm just afraid that this encounter may become a battle of the unforced error. Predicted Result: STEVENSON in THREE SETS
Actual Result: TAUZIAT in TWO SETS

Jennifer CAPRIATI (USA) vs Iva MAJOLI (CRO)
Head-to-Head Series: MAJOLI leads 1-0
Where on earth has Iva Majoli been? At number 99, that is where! It is absolutely tragic that this Grand Slam champion has sunk to the depths of despair on the tour and is two shy away from falling out of the top 100. Meanwhile, Capriati is playing some of her best tennis since stretching Hingis to three sets in the final of Sydney in 1997. Her improvement has been remarkable, and her confidence has been growing. She doesn't seem to get down on herself anymore, and she now has the confidence to be able to pull out tough matches and to finish them off with greater ease - a problem she used to have only recently. So it's all about confidence - Capriati has got it, Majoli hasn't got it. Predicted Result:CAPRIATI in TWO SETS
Actual Result: CAPRIATI in TWO SETS

SECOND ROUND

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