Mauresmo comeback shocks Serena

By Chris Davies
May 21 2003

Amelie Mauresmo gained her first ever victory over Serena Williams and her biggest to date to book her place in the Italian Open Masters final against Kim Clijsters

Mauresmo was behind all way through the match after being thrashed in the first set 6-1. The world number one Williams was on course for a simple straight sets victory over the fourth seed but the Frenchwoman had other ideas.

The number 6 in the world has been positive all week and has reasons to be after thrashing Jennifer Capriati yesterday in the quarter-finals fancied her chances in this match. Her positive thoughts saw her come from 5-4 down and 2 points away from defeat in the second set to take the set 7-5.

But Serena immediately broke Mauresmo's serve in the final set and trading breaks until 3-3. Serena's errors were far too high allowing Mauresmo to control the end of the match with a fantastic victory. The French woman has beaten world number ones before including Martina Hingis and now Serena is also a victim.

This is the second loss for the world number one on clay and a lack of match play on the red clay could prove a disadvantage at the French Open. Meanwhile Amelie Mauresmo has now beaten both William's sisters on the red clay this season becoming the only person to do it since Kim Clijsters last year.

Kim Clijsters will meet Amelie in the final after she avenged her Scottsdale final loss to doubles partner Ai Sugiyama comfortably dominating from back of the court winning 6-3, 6-2.

The final should be a fantastic encounter with both players being in such great form and are by far the best clay court players at the moment with Justine Henin-Hardenne. This final may be the final at Roland Garros.


Semi-Final Results

(4) Amelie Mauresmo (FRA) bt (1) Serena Williams (USA)
1-6, 7-5, 6-3

(2) Kim Clijsters (BEL) bt (13) Ai Sugiyama (JPN)
6-3, 6-2