Quarter-Final Preview

By Chris Davies
June 2 2003

Some of the best matches are happening in the quarter-finals as Serena takes on Mauresmo in a highly anticpating clash with the winner unclear?

(1) Serena Williams (USA) v (5) Amelie Mauresmo (FRA)

This match is the match of the quarter-finals and could be the match of the whole tournament or even the match of the year. Mauresmo had her first ever win against Williams two weeks ago on the red clay at the Italian Open where the world number one was in a winning postion but threw it away this will not be the case this time around. Serena knows how Amelie is playing and will have to be on top gear all the way through until the last ball is hit because the fifth seed is dangerous all the time against any opponent. The defending champion was sluggish in her last match against Sugiyama whereas Mauresmo has steamrolled through all of her matches making this match-up an even more fascinating to predict. But this time around we know there will not be an all Williams final but this Williams could be making the final.

Serena in straight sets and advancing into a semi-final with Justine Henin-Hardenne

(2) Kim Clijsters (BEL) v (24) Conchita Martinez (SPA)

Clijsters was appalling in the first set against Maleeva but finally coming through comfortably which she should do here. This is a good test for the Belgian has Martinez moves her opponents around so much and mixes up her shots a lot which will test the number 2 seed's movement, speed, fitness and patience which is what she needs has Jennifer Capriati and Venus Williams both lost yesterday allowing Kim to easily advance into the finals for the second time.

Clijsters in straight sets coasting through into the semi's but should make the finals easy aswell!

(4) Justine Henin-Hardenne (BEL) v (8) Chanda Rubin (USA)

These both players have not played their best tennis at Roland Garros with the Belgian struggling with serve and Rubin getting thrashed at times against lowly ranked players. Rubin nearly lost to Mandula in the last round but came through and this is how far she will get has Henin-Hardenne picks up her game at the correct time ahead of her semi-final clash against Serena Williams.

Henin-Hardenne in straight sets!

(22) Vera Zvonareva (RUS) v Nadia Petrova (RUS)

The conquerers of the big hitters play each other in a surprise quarter-final clash. Zvonareva had the biggest win of her live beating Venus and Petrova who beat Monica Seles in the first round beat Jennifer Capriati at the fourth round stage. These girls are going to be a force to reckon in the weeks upcoming especially Petrova if she draws a seeded player at Wimbledon after she won't be seeded for that tournament then shocks will happen. This is a hard match to predict with them both having solid games and could go a very long way in the third set.

Petrova in three sets with her first semi-final at a Grand Slam!