Day Four of the Bank of the West Classic
by Michelle Chuang
Day Four
Morning Session
Anna Kournikova vs Mary Joe Fernandez
I was actually looking forward to this match. In their last meeting at the 1999 German Open, Mary
Joe won in a close 3 setter 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (5). I thought if Mary Joe could just get close to Anna then
Anna would falter or fold under the pressure. Anna double faulted twice in the first game to give
Mary Joe the early break, but Mary Joe handed back the break later on for 3-3. The wind and a kid
who was crying were the two major distractions of the match. It was 4-5 with MJF serving, and Anna
had two set points but failed to convert. Finally on the third try, she converted to the contentment of
her many fans in attendance. Anna had the first set under her belt 6-4. When Anna wins the first set
against an experienced player, it usually isn’t something to get all excited about. I was extremely
impressed with the maturity she played with today. When she broke MJF for a 5-3 lead in the second
set and was serving for the match, she actually double faulted to give MJF the break back at 5-4, but
today, it didn’t seem to bother her one bit. She converted on her second match point to break MJF for
the match 6-4, 6-4. To my surprise, it seemed like Anna Kournikova was the more experienced player
today. In her post match press conference, she was asked many questions about winning her first title.
This prompted me to ask her, " A lot of hype has been made about you not winning a tournament yet,
but you usually only play the big tournaments. Have you ever thought about playing a few Tier 3,4, or
5 tournaments just to capture your first title?" Without even having to think, Anna replied, "Um, not
really because I can do good in the big tournaments." Next, Anna will meet the winner between
Srebotnik and Williams. If Venus wins her match tonight, it would set up a marquee quarterfinal
match- up and a Wimbledon round of 16 rematch with Anna.
Patty Schnyder vs. Sandrine Testud
This match made a later start than usual at 1pm PST as opposed to 12pm PST due to the huge match
between Mary Joe and Anna. This was probably better for both players (Schnyder and Testud) because
once they both were playing simultaneously… very few people watched their match. Once Anna and
Mary Joe were finished, Patty and Sandrine got the crowd’s full attention. To me, it looked like Patty
started off slow because of the extraneous noise at inopportune times from the other match. Sandrine
leaped to a first set 5-1 lead in a hurry. Patty was making many uncharacteristic unforced errors, but
that could have been the wind since Patty’s shots have little pace and float sometimes. When her
opponents least expect it, that’s when she whips out her wide lefty forehand for a winner. I love
watching Patty play, but that probably has to do with the fact that she is one of my favorite players.
Yes, even after the whole Harnecker fiasco. When it was 1-5 with Patty serving, this was about when
Anna and Mary Joe were both off the court. Amazingly, Patty saved a few set points to hold to make it
2-5. Patty got it back to 4-5 and was down a break, but it was too late. Testud held and took the set 6-
4. Patty only managed to hold once in the second set. The second set took 26 minutes. Testud won in
a fairly easy match 6-4, 6-1. Testud will face Amanda Coetzer in a quarterfinal match- up tomorrow.
After the match, I got to interview Patty one on one. Patty is an incredible person. I hope she does
well in the coming weeks. I will provide a full transcript next week.
Other Morning Session scores
Coetzer/Po defeated Molik/Black 6-4, 6-2
Kournikova/ Likhovtseva defeated Frazier/ Schlukebir 6-2, 6-2
Evening Session doubles score (from late last night, July 28)
Tanasugarn/ Tatarkova defeated Martinez/ Tarabini 6-4, 6-4
Evening Session
Katarina Srebotnik vs. Venus Williams
The past few days at the Bank of the West Classic have been a hectic ones for the media. Everyone
was having trouble meeting their deadline since there have been many close three setters in the
evening session, so they were praying for quick matches today. The press people have families to get
home to also. Venus took control of the match early. She simply was too powerful for Katarina, who
has a much smaller body frame compared to any player on the WTA tour. The first set was over rather
rapidly to Venus 6-1. The second set was a complete turn around though. Katarina seemed uneasy at
most times in the first set. In the second set, I think her mind frame was, "I’ve got nothing to lose."
She seemed to have more confidence in her game. I saw her the last couple of days practicing with
probably her doubles parter and her coach. She was out on the courts for a long time… working on all
parts of her game. I saw her again this morning, and she was out there again later in the afternoon. I
could tell that she really wanted to win this match, but many people, if not all, felt like she had no
chance. The second set was very close. Srebotnik is a fighter, and the crowd started to back her in the
second set. At 2-2 in Srebotnik’s service game, the crowd witnessed the longest game of the match.
It was filled with excellent play of all sorts from Venus and Katarina. That game seemed longer than
the entire first set combined. It took Venus eight break points to finally convert. After this, Venus
went off for a 5-3 lead, but Srebotnik held for 4-5. Venus double faulted in her service game to give
Katarina the break back 5-5. Venus broke again for 6-5, but again Venus’s serve failed her and she
handed the break back. Katarina double faulted in the first point of the tie break and failed to recover
from it. She lost the tie break and match 6-1, 7-6 (3) to Venus. Venus game into the press room with a
huge smile on her face. She was completely entertaining and funny with the media. She told the press
that her second set let down was due to the fact that she was basically out there to practice in the
second set. I guess she was implying that she wasn’t taking it as seriously as she should have. She
admitted that it wasn’t a smart decision to do that, and that Srebotnik is a good player. Katarina
came into the press room in a quiet manner. She just snuck in here. I really like this girl also. She is
genuine and honest. She admitted that she was nervous in the first set playing on center court and
with Venus on the other side. She said that she hasn’t played many top players except with Monica
Seles once when they practiced together, and she hoped that this match will help her in the future. I
definitely wish Katarina all the best in the future.
Corina Morariu vs. Jennifer Capriati
Corina and Jennifer actually had their first and only career meeting here at Stanford last year. Corina
knocked Jennifer out in the first round in a tough three set match 6-4, 3-6, 6-4. I have never seen
Corina play on television much less live, so I thought Capriati would take this match. After watching
the first few games, I was impressed with what I saw in Corina. This girl can play some great tennis!
Capriati’s shots were working at the beginning. Her powerful groundstrokes did not seem to bother
Corina at all. This is probably due to all the practice Morariu is getting with Davenport nowadays
since they are doubles partners. Corina got a break in the first set for 4-2, but Capriati broke back in
Corina’s next service game with a strong forehand crosscourt return. Both Corina and Jennifer held
for 5-5 until Corina was able to hold and break for the first set 7-5. Jennifer just didn’t have the
consistent, hard groundstrokes to beat Corina today. The second set was no contest, and Corina took
the match 7-5, 6-2. After the match, Capriati came in the press room with one elbow wrapped in ice.
She admitted that she didn’t play well in the second set, and that she was probably still pondering
bout all the chances she had in the first set. She gave a lot of credit to Corina since she was the "better
player today." Morariu came into the press room with all smiles on her face. I asked her if she was
going to change her game plan against her next round opponent and doubles partner, Lindsay
Davenport. It was also safe to say that she overpowered Capriati at the baseline, but I didn’t think she
would be able to do the same against Davenport, but she said she was going to go in the match with
the same game plan. She thinks she needs to stay aggressive, move Lindsay around, and not be on the
defensive. If Corina is going to have a chance tomorrow, she is going to have to come to net more
often to give Davenport less time to set up her huge groundies.
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Last updated 26 September 2015
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