Clijsters battles past Capriati in another epic

By Chris Davies
May 13 2003

Kim Clijsters secured her world number two status and a final berth after beating Jennifer Capriati in another of their fantastic battles at the Mastercard German Open, Berlin

Jennifer Capriati has never lost to the Belgian top seed in their previous 3 meetings but Clijsters turned it around after displaying awesome tennis all week to avenge her French Open final loss in 2001 to the American.

Clijsters who has been supported all week by boyfriend Lleyton Hewitt took the first set 6-4 and could have sealed the match in the second set when she led 5-3 but Capriati held serve.

Clijsters had another chance at 5-4 to book a straight sets win over the American but couldn't capitalise on the match points that she had and Capriati was back in it as she took the second set on a tiebreak.

The final set was high in unforced errors as it was locked at 4-4 but the Belgian raised her game to another level leading 5-4 then a terrible service game from Capriati gave Clijsters 3 match points with her finally taking the match.

An all Belgian final is on the cards as Justine Henin-Hardenne in superior form takes on hot Amelie Mauresmo in the other semi-final.


Semi-Final Result

(1) K CLIJSTERS (BEL) BT (4) J CAPRIATI (USA)
6-4, 6-7 (2-7), 6-4