Martinez overcomes Dokic, Coetzer slides through

By Chris Davies
May 13 2003

Jelena Dokic was once more a first round victim losing in a 3 set match against former champion Conchita Martinez at the Italian Open Masters, Rome

Dokic who now has Steffi Graf's old coach Heinz Gunthard in a bid to revive her recent wavering game still seems to be struggling getting used to the new format and tactics.

The Serb didn't get off to the best start losing her opening service game and then finding herself 4-1 down but managed to level it at 4-4 only for the Spaniard to charge once more and take the first set 6-4.

The former champion's had met 10 times tieing at 5-5 looking like Martinez would pull ahead 6-5 but Dokic had other ideas taking the second set 6-3 but was still unimpressive in her play.

The world number 10 lost her head early on in the third set with the Spaniard leading once more 5-2 but once again Dokic levelled at 5-5. Some unforced errors from Dokic and good shots from Martinez saw the veteran win to the second round.

Amanda Coetzer who hasn't played on for a month and half on the tour was up against Iroda Tulyaganova hoping to continue her good form from Berlin last week which seen her reach the quarter-final.

Tulyaganova got of to the better start winning the first set 6-2 with Coetzer equalling it at one set all 6-3.

The Uzbekistan's game deserted her in the final set with the South African thrashing te youngster 6-0.


1st rd Results

(16) Anna Pistolesi (Isr) bt Elena Tatarkova (Ukr)
6-0, 6-4

Nadia Petrova (Rus) bt Tathiana Garbin (Ita)
6-4, 6-1

Laura Granville (USA) bt (15) Meghann Shaughnessy (USA)
7-5, 6-3

Nathalie Dechy (Fra) bt Ashley Harkleroad (USA)
1-6, 6-3, 6-2

(14) Amanda Coetzer (SA) bt Iroda Tulyaganova (UZB)
2-6, 6-3, 6-0

Conchita Martinez (SPA) bt (9) Jelena Dokic (S-M)
6-4, 3-6, 7-5

Lina Krasnoroutskya (RUS) bt Els Callens (BEL0
6-4, 6-4

Emiile Loit (FRA) bt Denisa Chladkova (CZE)
6-3, 7-6

Barbara Schett (Aut) bt Antonella Serra-Zanetti (Ita)
6-4, 6-0

Cara Black (Zim) bt Rita Grande (Ita)
6-3, 7-5

Tina Pisnik (SLO) bt Andrianna Serra-Zanetti (ITA)
6-0, 6-4

Emanuelle Gargliardi (SUI) bt Jelena Jankovic (S-M)
7-5, 2-6, 7-5