Kim Clijsters (#5) vs. Meghann Shaughnessy (#8) (Quarterfinals)
Shaughnessy leads series 1-0 (Stanford, R32, 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-3, Hard)

Of all the quarterfinal match-ups, this one, on paper, appeared to have the potential to be the most tightly contested match of the day with the #19 ranked Belgian taking on the rising American currently ranked #27. For those wondering how the #5 and #8 seeded players could possibly meet in the quarters, keep in mind with the late withdrawal of Mary Pierce, Clijsters for all purposes inherited the #4 position.

With her hometown crowd clearly behind her, Shaughnessy started off the match with a break of the Clijsters's serve. The players held their serves for the next several games until the proverbial "crucial seventh game" when once again Clijsters's serve was broken. A particularly key point in this game was on the first point of the game when Clijsters hit a deep backhand to Shaughnessy's backhand and then hit deep into the other corner. The speedy Shaughnessy, seemingly coming out of nowhere, hit a forehand down the line winner. Shauhnessy served out the set 6-2 in 28 minutes. The story of the first set was the seemingly dozens of unforced errors committed by the Belgian. Shaughnessy, for the most part, seemed satisfied in keeping the ball in play waiting for the next Clijsters error.

The second set did not start any better for Clijsters as a double fault eventually lead to Shaughnessy's first break of the set. The match got back on serve as Clijsters tightening up her game a bit was aided by four forehand errors to level the match at 2-2. The players traded breaks in the next two service games and stayed on serve until the ninth game when yet another double fault from Clijsters handed Shaughnessy an opportunity to serve for the set at 5-4. Clijsters once again threatened to break to even the match, but in the second deuce of the game, Shaughnessy prevailed with a forehand winner to win the match and easily advance to the semifinals, 6-2, 6-4.

In the post match press conferences, Clijsters admitted to pretty much handing the first set to Shaughnessy, who also happens to be her doubles partner at the State Farm. Clijsters might just well be lacking match play as well as she has not been in a tournament since the Australian Open. Still under WTA age restrictions, Clijsters chose this tournament as her warm-up for Indian Wells and Miami. With the first round bye, this was only second match of the tournament as opposed to Shaughnessy who had three under her belt. For Shaughnessy, one could hardly guess that she was in the semifinals of her hometown tournament. In a monotone voice, fellow reporters tried to get some enthusiasm out of the Arizonan who only admitted to being "not very expressive." Shaughnessy meets the winner of Seles/Serna in the evening session's quarterfinal match.

Jennifer Capriati (#3) vs. Tina Pisnik (Q) (Quarterfinals)
First Meeting

With her new status as Grand Slam champion, one gave little hope to the continuation Slovenian Tina Pisnik's fairy tale march through the qualifying and main draw at the State Farm. In today's match, the was simply no stopping the Capriati steamroller. Capriati got off to a quick start with a break to take a 4-1. Pisnik, who showed such tenacity in her earlier matches, had few answers to the Capriati game. With a second break in the sixth game, Capriati served a 107mph service winner to close out the first set 6-1 in 27 minutes.

As with the Clijsters match, Pisnik did not start off any better with another broken service game. Capriati's serve continued to earn her free points in the second set. Pisnik was able to hold her serve in the middle of the set but tired of the barrage of winners from Capriati and double faulted to give Capriati a second break at 5-2. Serving for the match, Capriati opened the door for Pisnik to break with two double faults in the game. One point in this game was typical of the current "can do no wrong" Capriati game. Pisnik drop shots Capriati which the American scrambles to get to, Pisnik lobs deep over Capriati who once again scrambles and gets the shot back, Pisnik drop shots Capriati again with Capriati getting to the ball and passing Pisnik with the winner. Capriati won the game and the match 6-1, 6-2 in 53 minutes.

Lindsay Davenport (#1) vs. Lisa Raymond (#7) (Quarterfinals)
Davenport leads the series 8-0 (Last Meeting, 2001 Sydney, Quarters, 7-5, 6-4, Hard)

With her impeccable record against Raymond, it was a little strange when Davenport won the coin toss and chose to receive serve to start the match. One wondered if Davenport was not feeling particularly confident about her own serve. Whether strategic or not, despite having the game go to deuce, Raymond won the game. What happened next was a little more surprising, Raymond went up 0-40 on Davenport's serve. Though Davenport got back in the game she was broken to give Raymond a 2-0 lead. Raymond won the next game with the now questionable Davenport double faulting to give Raymond a second break for 4-0. There was definitely a hush in the crowd. While Raymond is no slouch, she had yet to win a set off Davenport in all of their previous meetings. Davenport did hold her serve at love in the sixth game, but Raymond won her elusive first set from the top-ranked American 6-1 in a mere 21 minutes.

The stunned crowd (along with probably Raymond herself) wondered how and if Davenport would come back in the second set. Was some unknown ailment or injury hindering the lackadaisical top seed? The first game, with Davenport serving, did not initially answer any questions. Davenport threw in two 100+ mph aces and two double faults in the game before prevailing. Raymond's first service game of the set would begin to give the crowd some indication that Davenport, who broke her countrywoman's serve, was not quite ready to exit the tournament earlier than expected. Perhaps overwhelmed by her first set accomplishment added to Davenport's reduction of unforced errors, Raymond did not hold serve for the remainder of the set. As quickly as the first set was completed, Davenport aided by a Raymond double fault, took the second set in 19 minutes and 6-0.

Though not necessarily known as a slow starter, Davenport has been that here at the State Farm this year. She was down 4-1 to Gala Leon Garcia in the second round before coming back strongly 7-5, 6-2. The third set threatened to go the distance when the players traded service breaks in the second and third games. But Davenport was able to earn the decisive break in the sixth game and went on to win the third set and the match at 6-3.

After the match, Davenport did not mention any particular reason for her first set demise other than a "slow start" and added that she is not pleased with the way she has played her first two matches. That will need to change as she meets someone who is playing very well, Jennifer Capriati. Monica Seles was able to avenge her quarterfinal Australian Open loss to Capriati last week in Oklahoma City. Now, Davenport has the chance to do the same.

"Skirt"-ing the Issue: Part Four

Like it or not readers, "The Skirt" is back in today's State Farm report. Today the Nike Dri-Fit Power Skirt in its "viola/samba" rendition is worn by Japan's Ai Sugiyama. Sugiyama wears the very identifiable skirt with a white Nike top, similar to Sonya Jeyaseelan earlier in the week. Today's "skirt update" was originally intended to be the last of this stunning fashion series, but the skirt made yet another unexpected appearance today on court. Any guesses which of the above ladies we are adding to the list in future updates?

We promised to give you some further information on the skirt today. It retails for $48 and is described by the Nike site as "Dri-FIT for moisture management; built-in shorts for streamlined efficiency. Excellent moisture-wicking properties for all-day comfort." Now that's some skirt!