Capriati defeats compatriot Frazier.

Eastbourne
By Joe Winson
June 18 2003

Third seed Jennifer Capriati overcame a 5-0 deficit in the second set to progress to the third round of the Hastings Direct International Tournament in Eastbourne today.

An upbeat and obviously very pleased Jennifer Capriati explained in the after match press conference how she reacted to the way Frazier raced to a 5-0 lead in the second set of their second round match at Eastbourne today.

"From the first point of the second set she really went for it" said the world number 8, "She goes for broke, when she's in form you can't control her".

One major talking point on day three of the tournament was the blustery conditions as gusts came in off the English Channel. Capriati explained "it's pretty obvious that for all players it's difficult".

But for the New Yorker at least it didn't matter as much as she progressed into the quarters.

One player it could have affected was Lindsay Davenport who lost to Italian Silvia Farina Elia 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (3) in an epic match which had the centre court crowd on the edge of their seats.

Davenport was philosophical mood in the press conference but looked very downbeat and unhappy with her performance.

"Preperation hasn't been great, but I had a bad preparation on grass in 2000 for Wimbledon and made the final."

She was hoping the weather wasn't to be as windy at Wimbledon as it has been at Eastbourne, but seeing as stiff breezes don't seem to come off the Thames she should be okay.

However, Davenport admitted she was happy her foot was 100% throughout, but said that mentally, she wasn't there at times today, claiming that when 4-0 down in the final set she thought she'd better "get off the court".

Davenport also shed more light on her foot troubles saying that the problem lies with an inflamed nerve, and she is waiting for how long the cortisone injections continue to react. She hoped she could hold the foot surgery off until around November when it will need severing.

The world number 5 also spoke of her marriage to Rick Leach, saying that wasn't much of a distraction, but the fact she has played around twelve years on the tour begins to grind, and sometimes she questioned her own motivation.

Davenport will continue her preparation for The Championships playing doubles at Eastbourne with partner Lisa Raymond.

Joe Winson, teamwta.com at Devonshire Park Eastbourne.