5/30/2001
Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters Slug Into Third Round
by Matt Cronin
Firmly grasping the gauntlet that was left behind by French star Amelie Mauresmo, Belgian teen wonders Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters scored significant victories over difficult South American opponents to move into the third round of Roland Garros on Wednesday.
The diminutive Henin was extremely impressive in knocking out No28-ranked Paola Suarez of Brazil 6-3 6-4, while Clijsters avenged a recent loss to No48-ranked Mariana Diaz-Oliva with a 7-5 6-1 victory.
The No14 seeded Henin played a tactically brilliant match, adeptly returning Suarez's two-handed crosscourt blast with her tricky one-handed backhand and rarely allowing the Brazilian to force her into errors by playing deep and only taking full cuts at the ball when Suarez would hit short. Henin finished the contest with 31 winners to only 21 from her opponent, including two aces and nine service winners.
"It was a good win for me," Henin said. "She played so well in the last few months. It was a really difficult match. I thought before the match that I had to be really aggressive, but be patient also."
Standing only 5-foot-5 (1.67m), the 18-year-old Henin is a dynamic tornado on court, sporting a sprinter's speed and significant pop off both wings. Despite her obvious talent, she is prone to bouts of wildness, but Henin said that times are changing.
"I grew up a lot this year," she said. "I was ranked No50 last year and now I'm No16. I play with better tactics. Everything is going well: my serve, my fitness, my confidence. I know I can play better than in this match."
Henin began the year with a 13-match winning streak and recently upset Venus Williams in the third round of Berlin. As one of only four seeds left in the bottom half of the draw, Henin has a clear shot at reaching her first Grand Slam final.
"It's a good opportunity to go far and maybe go to the quarters or semi," she said. "But I'll try to be focused on my next match because that is what is the most important. On this path, which can take me very far, I know there will be some very tough matches."
No12 Clijsters is a slightly more known quantity than Henin, as she has won three titles and scored career wins over Anna Kournikova, Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario and Martina Hingis. The muscular freeswinger reached the final of the Tier 1 tournament in Indian Wells in March, where she lost a tough three-setter to Serena Williams.
A classic power player who carries the ability to hit winners from any position on court, Clijsters has never been comfortable on clay and didn't perform well on dirt prior to Roland Garros.
"It's going to be hard," said Clijsters, who registered 33 winners against Diaz-Oliva. "My game will always be better on faster courts because I can hit winners from one meter behind the baseline. On clay, it's going to be a lot more difficult. But I feel a lot better than last year.... I feel like I can keep my concentration and keep focusing on the next point. That's a good thing."
Although Henin and Clijsters are two of only four seeds left in the bottom half of the draw, their roads will not be easy. Henin must face the winner of the match between former top-10er Anke Huber and young French sensation Virginie Razzano, while Clijsters will face Spaniard Marta Marrero, who reached the quarters here last year.
"I've got no pressure," Clijsters said. "I've already done better than last year. Marrero will be tough. I'll have to be ready for her."
Clijsters Overcomes Gritty Argentine on Day Three
by Nyree Epplett
No12 seed Kim Clijsters booked a spot in the third round of Roland Garros on Wednesday, advancing with a routine 7/5 6/1 win over Argentine Mariana Diaz-Oliva.
The talented young Belgian, playing in only her sixth match on clay this year, accounted for Diaz-Oliva in one hour, 20 minutes, pounding 21 winners past her opponent, who in turn committed a lethal 46 unforced errors.
Diaz-Oliva, a broody claycourt specialist with an expansive topspin game not dissimilar to that of Conchita Martinez, had beaten Clijsters in their only other meeting, this April on clay. But today the 25-year-old Argentine crumbled under the big match pressure, converting only 50 percent of her break point opportunities and failing when she had the chance to pounce on the twelfth seed in the first set.
Diaz-Oliva broke Clijsters serve when the Belgian was serving for the set at 5-4, equalling the match at 5-5. But the nervous South American sent too many groundstrokes over the baseline in the ensuing game, allowing the aggressive Clijsters to break and serve out the opening set.
Clijsters is aiming to take advantage of the void left in her half of the women's draw following the disappearance of Venus Williams and Amelie Mauresmo after round one. Touted as a definite contender for the title, she will meet Spain's Marto Merrero.
~Clijsters City
|
