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2004
WTA Tour Championships News
Brad Falkner | November
13 , 2004
Lindsay Davenport went
into her final round robin match against Serana Williams knowing
that even if she won the battle, she still might lose the
war. Serna Williams found out after her match that sometimes
losing means still can mean winning. Go figure!
“It’s kind of cool that you can lose and still
play. It’s kind of weird though. I feel
like I’m cheating the system.” Said Williams.
And so, after dropping the opening set Davenport found her
grove by the end of the second set to muster up a 3-6, 7-5,
6-1 triumph over the seventh seed.
Davenport started the match flat and did not find her game
until late in the second set. At 5-5, in the second
set, Williams squandered a chance to gain a break point by
missing a routine volley. From that point on Williams
was not the same player. Davenport broke Williams in
the ensuing game; leveling the match at one set all.
“After the first set I felt my arm getting just really
heavy. And you know all of the sudden, it made me serve
better,” said Davenport. The final set belonged entirely
to Davenport who capitalized on Williams’ shaky serving,
with two service brakes. “I didn’t do anything
right today. I didn’t serve well. I think
my shots--- just to be basic, I sucked. And I couldn’t
put it in any other words. I would, but I’m a
Christian woman.” Williams said.
When asked if she thought that Williams took a dive in order
help her advanced to the semifinals Davenport burst out laughing.
``I would be lying on the floor if she said, `I gave Lindsay
a bone and tried to help her qualify,''' Davenport said. ``She's
great and I get along with her, but I don't think her mind
works in a way that she was trying to help me out.''
In the second match on the bill, Mauresmo defeated Maria Sharapova
7-5, 6-4; both players had already advanced to the semifinals
out of the Black Group: Mauresmo 3-0 and Sharapova 2-1.
Sharapova hit 35 winners to Mauresmo's 19, but her 35 unforced
errors and fatigue were the deciding factors in her first
encounter against the steady Frechwoman. ``I was a little
tired from Friday night. I didn't have enough time to rest,''
Sharapova said. ``It was sort of a practice match; I sort
of enjoyed myself. She's very consistent. She knows more what
she has to do to win and that comes from experience.''
``The match wasn't the best ever played,'' said Mauresmo.
``It was very difficult for both of us to stay focused because
we have both qualified.''
Last year Elena Dementieva’s come from behind victory
over Chanda Rubin allowed Amelie Muaresmo to advance to the
2003 semifinal round of the WTA year end championships.
2004 would be different as Anastasia Myskina brought her A-game
to the Staples Center employing the use of power, cunning,
and guile to secure her place in the final four. Myskina had
25 winners in the 6-3, 6-3 victory
``I was thinking if I play my best, I can win,'' Myskina said.
``I had a really clear picture either I go home or I stay
here for the semifinals.''
The four pairings are now set. Serena Williams faces Amelie
Mauresmo in Sunday’s first semifinal match. Anastasia
Myskina will take on compatriot Maria Sharapova in match to
follow.
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