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Preparing for a Grand Slam Triumph - Page 15

© Michael Cecilio

COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE FORTNIGHT: Monica SELES (USA)
Things didn't look so good for Monica following the French Open. She suffered her first opening round loss of the season at Eastbourne and was upset in the third round of Wimbledon. Shortly following that disappointment, a number of injuries hampered Monica which would ultimately cost her her first ever loss in a Fed Cup match, and her subsequent withdrawal from the meet. Tendinitis in her right forearm, blisters on her left hand and shoulder problems also caused her to withdraw from three Californian hardcourt tournaments. Thus, defending her Canadian Open trophy for a fourth consecutive year was always going to be a tough proposition, given her situation. So it was a bit surprising to see Seles doing well after all of these problems, having reached the finals at Toronto, and the semi finals at New Haven in the past fortnight. Sure, she still has a long way to go until she is back at her best, but it is great to see her improving her conditioning, her match toughness, her consistency and her aggressiveness with each match and each tournament.

SURPRISE PLAYER OF THE FORTNIGHT: Anne-Gaelle SIDOT (FRA)
Who?!? This young French girl stormed through to the semi finals at the du Maurier Open two weeks ago, defeating two seeds en route to her career best performance in a WTA tournament. This performance was all the more surprising considering Anne-Gaelle really had not been playing all that well this season. She upset Amy Frazier in a tight three setter in the first round, and did the same to Amanda Coetzer in the quarter finals. Overwhelming her opponents with a powerful, pinpoint-accurate forehand and a great, big serve, she gave Monica Seles a test in the semi finals before the experience and composure of the champion saw her through to a finals berth.

UP-AND-COMING PLAYER OF THE FORTNIGHT: Mirjana LUCIC (CRO)
Mirjana defeated 13th seeded Patty Schnyder in the first round of the Canadian Open two weeks ago, eventually reaching the round of 16 before falling to 6th seed Amanda Coetzer in a tight three set match. She is definitely beginning to play to her potential which is very encouraging to see, especially after a tough year off and on the court. She has a chance to do well at the US Open this year, following her semi final breakthrough at Wimbledon last July. Given her draw, it would not be a huge surprise if we were to see Lucic playing in the quarter finals at the beginning of the second week, having drawn out-of-form seeds Mauresmo and Novotna in her section of 16.

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