Capriati sluggish in clay court season debut

By Chris Davies
April 16 2003

Jennifer Capriati was made too fight against Swiss teenager Marie Gaineh-Mikaelian in her first match on clay this season and saying that she needs to improve her foot work throughout the tournament

Jennifer Capriati was made too fight against Swiss teenager Marie Gaineh-Mikaelian in her first match on clay this season and saying that she needs to improve her foot work throughout the tournament

The former world number 1 was pushed all the way with two tight sets but finally overcame Mikaelian 6-4, 7-6 (7-5). Capriati is still looking for her first title of the year and first since the 2002 Australia Open defeating Hingis in the final.

"I was a little hesitant out there on the clay in the beginning because it was just my first match," said Capriati, the tournament's third seed. "My footing wasn't exactly where I wanted it to be. I think I had a lot of opportunities to be more aggressive and go to the net, and I didn't. Hopefully, the next match I'll be more aggressive."

Lindsay Davenport stormed past Nicole Pratt 6-1, 6-0 carrying her fantastic clay court game over from last week. American Alexandra Stevenson finally won a match after a poor season baeting Els Callens.

Bad news for Mary Pierce and Conchita Martinez who both withdraw due to injuries, Alina Jidkova repleaced the Frenchwoman's place against Ruano Pascual.

1st rd:

Virginia Ruano Pascual (Spa) bt Alina Jidkova (Rus) 6-2, 7-5

Maja Matevzic (Slo) bt Melien Tu (USA) 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7-4)

Tina Pisnik (Slo) bt Jennifer Hopkins (USA) 6-7 (2-7), 7-6 (8-6), 6-1

Lina Krasnoroutskaya (Rus) bt Tatiana Panova (Rus) 4-6, 6-2, 6-2



2nd rd:

(12) Lisa Raymond (USA) bt Julia Vakulenko (Ukr) 6-1, 3-6, 6-1

(4) Daniela Hantuchova (Svk) bt Akiko Morigami (Jpn) 7-5, 6-2

(3) Jennifer Capriati (USA) bt Marie-Gaiane Mikaelian (Swi) 6-4, 7-6 (7-5)

(16) Alexandra Stevenson (USA) bt Els Callens (Bel) 7-5, 6-3

(14) Clarisa Fernandez (Arg) bt Jill Craybas (USA) 6-7 (6-8), 6-4, 6-2

(LL) Marlene Weingartner (Ger) bt Tathiana Garbin (Ita) 6-4, 5-7, 7-5

(2) Lindsay Davenport (USA) bt Nicole Pratt (Aus) 6-1, 6-0

(8) Amanda Coetzer (Rsa) bt Vera Zvonareva (Rus) 7-5, 4-6, 6-0