VI: WTA Tour: Rankings + Leipzig & Quebec City in FULL Report....
Wout's Report:
$ SECTION 6: THE WTA TOUR: PART 1 &
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
And well what I am supposed to say now??...HI!! :)
Are you getting tired of me already? :) Well tough!! You signed up for my Newsletter, so
it's your own fault! Hehehe..that's right...BITE ME! :)
Well enough about the Men aye?? Let's enjoy some Women's tennis!! Yeeehaaa!! And believe
me..there's lots to tell, so let's get right to it! :)
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
$ THE WTA TOUR &
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Well we are going back two weeks again...LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!!! :)) First let's
check out the Rankings...
****************************** THE WTA RANKINGS **************************************
THE WTA RANKINGS AS OF 31/10/99:
WTA Tour top 100 ranked singles players:
(Through Sunday, October 31)
PRIOR RANKING QUALTY # POINTS NEXT 19TH
RANK RANK NAME CNTRY POINTS POINTS TRN ADDED OFF TOURN
1 (1) HINGIS, MARTINA SUI 6084.00 2195.0 20 0.00 0.00 2.00
2 (2) DAVENPORT, LINDSAY USA 4412.00 1614.0 19 0.00 0.00 0.00
3 (3) WILLIAMS, VENUS USA 4000.00 1643.0 16 0.00 0.00 0.00
4 (4) WILLIAMS, SERENA USA 3021.00 1414.0 12 0.00 0.00 0.00
5 (5) SELES, MONICA USA 2625.00 958.0 15 0.00 0.00 0.00
6 (6) PIERCE, MARY FRA 2526.00 840.0 20 288.00 0.00 1.00
7 (8) SCHETT, BARBARA AUT 2092.00 907.0 24 1.00 36.00 30.00
8 (7) TAUZIAT, NATHALIE FRA 2074.00 665.0 25 54.00 213.00 1.00
9 (9) HALARD-DECUGIS, JULIE FRA 1966.00 717.0 22 0.00 0.00 14.00
10 (10) COETZER, AMANDA RSA 1919.00 682.0 25 0.00 34.00 36.00
11 (12) MAURESMO, AMELIE FRA 1853.00 794.0 16 123.00 1.00 0.00
12 (11) VAN ROOST, DOMINIQUE BEL 1740.00 597.0 24 0.00 148.00 2.00
13 (13) KOURNIKOVA, ANNA RUS 1546.00 584.0 17 34.00 0.00 0.00
14 (19) TESTUD, SANDRINE FRA 1501.00 536.0 24 210.00 0.00 1.00
15 (14) MARTINEZ, CONCHITA ESP 1482.00 543.0 21 0.00 0.00 1.00
16 (16) SANCHEZ-VICARIO, ARANTX ESP 1435.00 444.0 21 0.00 1.00 1.00
17 (18) NOVOTNA, JANA CZE 1421.00 456.0 18 0.00 0.00 0.00
18 (15) LIKHOVTSEVA, ELENA RUS 1408.00 581.0 28 1.00 36.00 22.00
19 (17) HUBER, ANKE GER 1392.00 659.0 25 1.00 96.00 2.00
20 (20) FRAZIER, AMY USA 1306.00 581.0 20 0.00 0.00 1.00
21 (21) DRAGOMIR, RUXANDRA ROM 1291.00 561.0 24 0.00 1.00 1.00
22 (22) SCHNYDER, PATTY SUI 1289.00 416.0 25 28.00 0.00 2.00
23 (24) ZVEREVA, NATASHA BLR 1237.00 441.0 23 0.00 83.00 1.00
24 (26) SPIRLEA, IRINA ROM 1196.00 457.0 26 95.00 115.00 1.00
25 (23) SUGIYAMA, AI JPN 1184.00 471.0 24 1.00 28.00 1.00
26 (28) DECHY, NATHALIE FRA 1055.00 410.0 24 0.00 0.00 2.00
27 (25) RUBIN, CHANDA USA 1044.00 450.0 20 0.00 0.00 1.00
28 (27) FARINA, SILVIA ITA 976.00 366.0 28 1.00 1.00 2.00
29 (33) PITKOWSKI, SARAH FRA 917.00 248.0 26 128.00 93.00 9.00
30 (29) CAPRIATI, JENNIFER USA 904.00 425.0 15 0.00 0.00 0.00
************************** WTA TOURNAMENT IN LEIPZIG **********************************
Ok...here wera and here we go..taking it from the start..well...almost....hehehe...don't
have too much access to WTA News...
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1ST 1999:
SPARKASSEN CUP · Leipzig, Germany · Monday Results
First Round
Anne-Gaelle Sidot def. Magdalena Maleeva, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4
Sabine Appelmans def. Joannette Kruger, 6-0, 6-4
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2ND 1999:
SPARKASSEN CUP · Leipzig, Germany · Tuesday Results
First Round
Conchita Martinez (6) def. Irina Spirlea, 6-1, 4-6, 6-4
Elena Likhovtseva (7) def. Sandra Kloesel, 6-4, 6-2
Anke Huber (8) def. Anna Smashnova, 6-0, 3-6, 6-3
Kveta Hrdlickova def. Kim Clijsters, 7-5, 5-7, 6-3
Tatiana Panova def. Henrieta Nagyova, 6-3, 6-3
Nadejda Petrova def. Magui Serna, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3)
Silvija Talaja def. Ai Sugiyama. 4-6, 7-5, 6-3
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD 1999:
LEIPZIG, Germany (Wed. Nov. 3, 1999) -- Second seed Nathalie Tauziat of France moved one
step closer toward locking up a berth in the upcoming season-ending Chase Championships
by pulling out a three-set win today at the Sparkassen Cup indoor tennis event.
Seeking her second title in three weeks, Tauziat secured a spot in the quarterfinals by
getting past Russian qualifier Nadejda Petrova, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.
Anne-Gaelle Sidot of France recorded the biggest upset of the day as she rallied past
fourth seed Dominique Van Roost of Belgium, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3, to reach the quarterfinals.
Three players, headlined by Russian teenager Anna Kournikova, advanced to the second
round. Competing in her second event since coming back from a broken foot, the
fifth-seeded Kournikova dispatched Anne Kremer of Luxembourg, 7-5, 6-4.
Kournikova will battle Sandrine Testud of France on Thursday for a quarterfinal berth.
Testud, a runner-up last week at Linz, Austria, came back to beat Patty Schnyder of
Switzerland, 3-6, 6-1, 6-0.
Czech qualifier Sandra Kleinova earned a second-round meeting with top seed Mary Pierce
of France on Thursday. Kleinova defeated Australian teenager Jelena Dokic, 6-4, 7-5.
Tauziat, last year's runner-up, is 11th in qualifying for the 16-player Chase
Championships in New York in three weeks and should secure a spot in the field with a
strong showing here. The 32-year-old won the Ladies Kremlin Cup indoor event in Moscow
two weeks ago and is coming off a quarterfinal showing in Linz.
Also Thursday, third seed Julie Halard-Decugis of France will meet Sabine Appelmans of
Belgium; sixth seed Conchita Martinez of Spain will face Russian qualifier Tatiana
Panova; seventh seed Elena Likhovtseva of Russia will battle Czech qualifier Kveta
Hrdlickova; and eighth seed and two-time champion Anke Huber of Germany will play
Silvija Talaja of Croatia.
First prize at the $520,000 event is $80,000
SPARKASSEN CUP · Leipzig, Germany · Wednesday Results
Second Round
Nathalie Tauziat (2) def. Nadejda Petrova, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
Anne-Gaelle Sidot def. Dominique Van Roost (4), 3-6, 6-2, 6-3
First Round
Anna Kournikova (5) def. Anne Kremer, 7-5, 6-4
Sandra Kleinova def. Jelena Dokic, 6-4, 7-5
Sandrine Testud def. Patty Schnyder, 3-6, 6-1, 6-0
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH 1999:
LEIPZIG, Germany (Thurs. Nov. 4, 1999) — Top-seeded Mary Pierce of France, seeking her
second consecutive title, beat Sandra Kleinova 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 Thursday to reach the
quarterfinals of the $520,000 Sparkassen Cup.
Pierce won last week's WTA Tour event in Linz, Austria, snapping a 12-month drought.
In the quarterfinals, the sixth-ranked Pierce will meet former Wimbledon champion
Conchita Martinez, the sixth-seeded Spaniard who rallied to oust Russian qualifier
Tatiana Panova 5-7, 6-3, 6-1.
Two other seeded players also advanced — No. 5 Anna Kournikova of Russia and No. 8 Anke
Huber of Germany.
Kournikova, playing only her second tournament after a three-month layoff because of a
stress fracture of the right foot, beat Sandrine Testud of France, runner-up in Linz,
6-2, 6-4.
Huber had to fight hard to overcome Silvija Talaja of Croatia 5-7, 6-4, 6-2.
Two seeded players crashed out. Sabine Appelmans of Belgium upset No. 3 Julie
Halard-Decugis 6-2, 6-3 and Kveta Hrdlickova of the Czech Republic defeated No. 7 Elena
Likhovsteva of Russia 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.
The results:
SPARKASSEN CUP · Leipzig, Germany · Thursday Results
Second Round
Mary Pierce (1) def. Sandra Kleinova, 7-6, (7-4), 6-2
Sabine Appelmans def. Julie Halard-Decugis (3) 6-2, 6-3
Anna Kournikova (5) def. Sandrine Testud, 6-2, 6-4
Conchita Martinez (6) def. Tatiana Panova, 5-7, 6-3, 6-1
Kveta Hrdlickova def. Elena Likhovtseva (7), 6-4, 3-6, 6-4
Anke Huber (8) def. Silvija Talaja, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH 1999:
LEIPZIG, Germany (Fri. Nov. 5, 1999) -- Top seed Mary Pierce of France bounced sixth
seed Conchita Martinez in straight sets today to advance to the semifinals of the
Sparkassen Cup indoor tennis event.
Pierce, who is seeking her second straight WTA Tour title, eliminated Martinez, 6-2,
6-2. She advances to face Czech qualifier Kveta Hrdlickova in the semifinals. Hrdlickova
needed three sets but defeated Sabine Appelmans of Belgium, 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (7-5).
Second seed Nathalie Tauziat, also of France, earned a berth in the final four by
outlasting fifth seed Anna Kournikova of Russia, 7-6 (7-2), 7-5. Tauziat faces eighth
seed Anke Huber of Germany in the other semifinal. Huber posted a 6-4, 6-4 triumph over
Anne-Gaelle Sidot of France.
Pierce defeated Sandrine Testud on Sunday to win the Generali Ladies Open in Linz,
Austria. It was her first title of the year after failing to hoist the winner's trophy
in four previous trips to WTA Tour finals this season.
Pierce, who received an opening-round bye, has lost just six games over her last three
sets Currently ranked sixth in the world, she is assured of being included in the
16-player field for the season-ending Chase Championships in New York in two weeks.
Tauziat, who needed three sets to get by Russian qualifier Nadejda Petrova in the second
round, was tested again today by Kournikova, who was competing in only her second event
since returning from a broken foot.
Huber is ranked 19th in the world and is currently on the outside looking in at the
prestigious Chase Championships.
First prize at this $520,000 event is $80,000
The results:
SPARKASSEN CUP · Leipzig, Germany · Friday Results
Quarterfinals
Mary Pierce (1) def. Conchita Martinez (6), 6-2, 6-2
Nathalie Tauziat (2) def. Anna Kournikova (5), 7-6 (7-2), 7-5
Anke Huber (8) def. Anne-Gaelle Sidot, 6-4, 6-4
Kveta Hrdlickova def. Sabine Appelmans, 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (7-5)
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH 1999:
LEIPZIG, Germany (Sat. Nov. 6, 1999) -- Stung by a bee a few weeks ago, Czech qualifier
Kveta Hrdlickova put the bite on top seed Mary Pierce of France today in the semifinals
of the Sparkassen Cup indoor tennis event.
Hrdlickova rallied for her 15th straight match victory today by stunning Pierce, 1-6,
6-3, 6-3 and advancing to Sunday's final against second seed Nathalie Tauziat of France.
Tauziat eliminated eighth seed Anke Huber of Germany, 5-7, 6-4, 6-3.
The 24-year-old Hrdlickova lost the first set in just 23 minutes before regaining her
composure and controlling the rest of the match.
"It was the first time that I defeated a top-10 player and I was really happy with the
way I played at the end of the match," said Hrdlikova, who reached the third round of
the French Open earlier this year. "I've had an amazing time in Leipzig so far, coming
through the qualifying, but I feel a little bit tired because all of my matches have
gone to three sets."
The victory continues a wild series of events for Hrdlickova, who won the ITF Women's
circuit event in Poitiers, France and reached the semifinals in Bratislava before being
forced to withdraw when a bee stung her hand while signing an autograph. Hrdlickova
reached a career-high ranking of 51 earlier this year.
The victim of the sting was Pierce, the winner of last week's Generali Ladies Open in
Linz, Austria. Currently ranked sixth in the world, Pierce still is assured of being
included in the 16-player field for the season-ending Chase Championships in New York in
two weeks.
Tauziat, ranked ninth in the world, advanced to the final of this event for the second
straight year.
Huber is ranked 19th in the world and is currently on the outside looking in at the
prestigious Chase Championships.
First prize at this $520,000 event is $80,000
SPARKASSEN CUP · Leipzig, Germany · Saturday Results
Semifinals
Kveta Hrdlickova def. Mary Pierce (1), 1-6, 6-3, 6-3
Nathalie Tauziat (2) def. Anke Huber (8), 5-7, 6-4, 6-3
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7TH 1999:
LEIPZIG, Germany (Sun. Nov. 7, 1999) -- Natalie Tauziat of France claimed her second
career WTA Tour title today by winning the Sparkassen Cup indoor tennis event.
Tauziat, ranked ninth in the world, cruised to a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Czech qualifier
Kveta Hrdlickova. A runner-up here to Steffi Graf last year, Tauziat captured her first
title two weeks ago in Moscow.
Hrdlickova, making her second appearance at Leipzig, had her 15-match winning streak
halted. She upset France's Mary Pierce in the semifinals with an impressive
come-from-behind win.
The 24-year-old Hrdlickova had recently experienced some interesting series of events.
She won the the ITF Women's circuit event in Poitiers, France and reached the semifinals
in Bratislava before being forced to withdraw when a bee stung her hand while signing an
autograph. Hrdlickova reached a career-high ranking of 51 earlier this year.
Tauziat, who this season reached back-to-back finals at Birmingham and Eastbourne on
grass, earned a check of $80,000.
The results;
SPARKASSEN CUP · Leipzig, Germany · Sunday Results
Final
Nathalie Tauziat (2) def. Kveta Hrdlickova, 6-1, 6-3
Well and if you wanna check out all the pre-views or the doubles or ANYTHING..just visit
the Official Homepage of this fine tourney: http://sparkassencup.compuserve.de/leipzig
************************ WTA TOURNAMENT IN QUEBEC CITY *******************************
Ok...our second WTA tourney of this week is in Quebec City...taking it from the start:
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1ST 1999:
BELL CHALLENGE · Quebec City, Canada · Monday Results
First Round
Lisa Raymond (6) def Angelica Gavaldon, 6-0, 6-3
Corina Morariu (7) def. Marissa Irvin, 6-2, 6-1
Alexandra Stevenson (8) def. Maureen Drake, 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-3)
Justine Henin def. Jennifer Hopkins, 6-3, 6-1
Cara Black def. Erika De Lone, 6-7, 6-3, 6-3
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2ND 1999:
BELL CHALLENGE · Quebec City, Canada · Tuesday Results
First Round
Jennifer Capriati (4) def. Jane Chi, 6-1, 6-4
Tara Snyder def. Lilia Osterloh, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2
Kimberly Po def. Melanie Marois, 6-1, 6-4
Shinobu Asagoe def. Linda Wild, 6-4, 6-2
Mashona Washington def. Jill Craybas, 6-3, 6-3
Jana Nejedly def. Pavlina Stoyanova, 6-0, 6-3
Nicole Pratt def. Emmanuelle Gagliardi, 6-3, 7-6 (8-6)
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD 1999:
QUEBEC (Thurs. Nov, 1999) -- Defending champion Tara Snyder of the United States
continued her remarkable success at this event by knocking off top seed Amanda Coetzer
of South Africa at the $180,000 Bell Challenge tennis event.
Snyder posted a 6-2, 5-7, 7-5 triumph over the 10th-ranked player in the world. The
22-year-old Snyder, ranked 61st in the world, captured her first career WTA title here
last year and advances to face Cara Black of Zimbabwe in the quarterfinals.
Coetzer had reached the quarterfinals in six of her previous eight events. The loss
prevented her from claiming a berth in the 16-player season-ending Chase Championships
in two weeks.
Second seed Amy Frazier also advanced to the round of eight tonight by dispatching
fellow American Kimberly Po, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3.
Two American seeds failed to secure quarterfinal spots earlier today as seventh seed
Corina Morariu lost to Justine Henin of Belgium, 6-4, 6-3, and eighth seed and Wimbledon
semifinalist Alexandra Stevenson, who was dumped by Black, 6-1, 6-3.
Third-seeded American Chanda Rubin, last year's runner-up, advanced to the second round
earlier today with a 7-6 (7-2), 6-3 victory over Sonya Jeyaseelan of Canada.
Another American, Meghann Shaughnessy, failed in her first-round match as Seda
Noorlander of the Netherlands pulled out a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win.
Frazier won the Japan Open at Tokyo in April and is coming off a first-round loss at the
Swisscom Challenge at Zurich three weeks ago. She currently is ranked No. 20 in the
world.
Fourth seed Jennifer Capriati headlined Tuesday's first-round winners. The former
teenage sensation rolled into the second round with a 6-1, 6-4 win over fellow American
Jane Chi and will meet Shaughnessy in the quarterfinals.
First prize is $27,000.
BELL CHALLENGE · Quebec City, Canada · Wednesday Results
Second Round
Tara Snyder def. Amanda Coetzer (1), 6-2, 5-7, 7-5
Amy Frazier (2) def. Kimberly Po, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3
Justine Henin def. Corina Morariu (7), 6-4, 6-3
Cara Black def. Alexandra Stevenson (8), 6-1, 6-3
First Round
Chanda Rubin (3) def. Sonya Jeyaseelan, 7-6 (7-2), 6-3
Seda Noorlander def. Meghann Shaughnessy, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH 1999:
QUEBEC (Thurs. Nov. 4, 1999) — Jennifer Capriati, trying to regain the form she flashed
as a promising teen, beat Seda Noorlander of the Netherlands 6-4, 6-2 on Thursday to
reach the quarterfinals of the Bell Challenge tennis tournament.
In another afternoon singles match, American Mashona Washington advanced to her first
WTA quarterfinal with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Japan's Shinobu Asagoe in a match of
qualifiers.
In the night session, Jana Nejedly, the lone Canadian left in the singles draw, faced
sixth-seeded Lisa Raymond, and third-seeded Chanda Rubin played Nicole Pratt of
Australia.
Capriati, once a top-10 player and now 29th after years of trouble away from tennis,
said she drew inspiration from Andre Agassi, himself a former wunderkind who slipped out
of the top 100 before gaining the No. 1 world ranking this season.
"When we talk, we really talk about why we really play tennis, and he's just told me to
forget about the money and all that and don't get into what everyone else thinks,''
Capriati said.
"It's hard for people who aren't playing. They don't really understand what's going on
out there. It's obviously easier to talk to somebody who knows where you're coming from.
Hopefully you learn things and really appreciate what someone else has to say.''
Capriati was arrested for shoplifting late in 1993 after a ring was stolen from a
Florida store. Though the case was later dismissed, Capriati found more problems.
Police at a party she was attending the following year found traces of marijuana in her
belongings.
Capriati, who in 1990 in the French Open became the youngest semifinalist in Grand Slam
history, went into rehab and returned in 1996.
She has shown glimpses of her old form and the progression continued this year.
She won her first tournament since 1993 and could finish the year in the top 30 for the
first time since '96.
"I don't want to put pressure on myself and say that I'll be in the top 10,'' Capriati
said. "I think maybe I have a chance but I just want to keep thinking about the tennis
itself.''
The results;
BELL CHALLENGE · Quebec City, Canada · Thursday Results
Second Round
Chanda Rubin (3) def. Nicole Pratt, 6-3, 6-3
Jennifer Capriati (4) def. Seda Noorlander, 6-4, 6-2
Lisa Raymond (6) def. Jana Nejedly, 6-0, 6-1
Mashona Washington def. Shinobu Asagoe, 6-3, 6-1
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH 1999:
QUEBEC CITY (Fri. Nov. 5, 1999) -- Second seed Amy Frazier and fourth seed Jennifer
Capriati completed an American quarterfinal sweep tonight at the $180,000 Bell Challenge
tournament.
Frazier rallied to defeat Belgian teenager Justin Henin, 3-6, 7-6 (7-3), 7-5. Capriati
rolled past fellow American and sixth seed Lisa Raymond, 6-4, 6-2.
Frazier and Capriati will meet in one semifinal Saturday, while defending champion Tara
Snyder faces third seed Chanda Rubin in a rematch of last year's final in the other.
Snyder, who is not seeded despite her victory here last year, bounced back after
dropping the opening set to defeat Cara Black of Zimbabwe, 2-6, 6-0, 7-5, this
afternoon. Rubin moved into the final four with a 6-0, 7-5 triumph over unseeded
American Mashona Washington.
"I faced Chanda in the finals in 1998 and I know the kind of game she can play," Snyder
said. "I respect her a lot and I will have to be ready. I am expecting a very hard
match."
Snyder, who knocked off top seed Amanda Coetzer on Wednesday, was quickly in the hole
today before pulling out the victory.
"I had a very hard game vs. Coetzer the other night and maybe that is the reason why I
lost the first set today," Snyder added. "It took me some time to come around. Maybe I
played too conservatively in the first set and she took advantage of it. Fortunately, I
turned it around in the second."
Of the four semifinalists, only Snyder has not won a tournament title this year. Frazier
won the Japan Open in Tokyo in April, Rubin won in Hobart, Australia in January and
Capriati snapped a six-year title drought in Strasbourg, France in May.
Ranked 267th just 18 months ago, the 23-year-old Capriati is currently 30th in the
world.
First prize is $27,000.
The results:
BELL CHALLENGE · Quebec City, Canada · Friday Results
Quarterfinals
Amy Frazier (2) def. Justine Henin, 3-6, 7-6 (7-3), 7-5
Chanda Rubin (3) def. Mashona Washington, 6-0, 7-5
Jennifer Capriati (4) def. Lisa Raymond (6), 6-4, 6-2
Tara Snyder def. Cara Black, 2-6, 6-0, 7-5
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH 1999:
QUEBEC (Sat. Nov. 6, 1999) -- Jennifer Capriati continued her remarkable turnaround,
holding off fellow American Amy Frazier, 2-6, 6-0, 7-5, today to advance to the final of
the $180,000 Bell Challenge tennis event.
Seeded fourth, Capriati will take on Chanda Rubin in Sunday's all-American final. Rubin,
the third seed, avenged a three-set loss to Tara Snyder in last year's final with a 6-1,
6-3 triumph.
Capriati stormed out to a 4-1 lead in the third set before Frazier, the second seed, won
four of the next five games to pull even. After Capriati held serve for a 6-5 lead, she
broke Frazier in the next game to pull out the victory in one hour, 38 minutes.
"She played well and I had to be ready," said Capriati, who won 10 of 11 games at one
point. "She was very aggressive in the third set. I was leading her 4-1 and 5-2, but she
always came back. I realized the game is never won in advance, not before it's over."
After finishing 1998 ranked No. 101 in the world, Capriati has displayed a renewed
enthusiasm for tennis this season, with the help of renowned coach Harold Solomon.
The 23-year-old former teenage sensation captured her first singles title in six years
at Strasbourg, France in May and reached the fourth round at the French and U.S. Open.
She is ranked 30th and will seek her eighth career singles title on Sunday.
"I'm expecting a hard match, but I'm confident," Capriati said. "Chanda is playing very
good tennis right now and I'll have to be ready."
Capriati made a tearful exit after her loss to Monica Seles at the U.S. Open getting
bombarded with questions about her past, which included an arrest for drug possession in
1994.
Rubin, 23, started the year by winning the Tasmanian International in Hobart, Australia.
She also upset world No. 1 Martina Hingis en route to the semifinals at Indian Wells,
California and reached the fourth round at the Australian Open.
Ranked No. 27, Rubin will vie for her third career WTA Tour title on Sunday.
Snyder, who knocked off top seed Amanda Coetzer on Wednesday, had survived three
straight three-set matches.
First prize is $27,000.
The results;
BELL CHALLENGE · Quebec City, Canada · Saturday Results
Semifinals
Jennifer Capriati (4) def. Amy Frazier (2), 2-6, 6-0, 7-5
Chanda Rubin (3) def. Tara Snyder, 6-1, 6-3
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7TH 1999:
QUEBEC (Sun. Nov. 7, 1999) -- American Jennifer Capriati continued her remarkable rise
in the WTA Tour rankings and completed her mastery of her countrywomen with a three-set
victory over Chanda Rubin in tonight's final of the $180,000 Bell Challenge.
Seeded fourth, Capriati pulled out a 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory over the third-seeded Rubin
to collect her eighth career title. She earned $27,000 for her second win of the year
after going winless since 1993.
Capriati broke Rubin in the third and seventh games of the final set before serving out
the match in one hour, 42 minutes.
"It's always fine to be a winner, especially my second tournament this year," Capriati
said. "I've really turned things around and I am very happy right now."
Capriati, 23, defeated four Americans en route to the title. She beat unseeded Jane Chi
in the first round, sixth seed Lisa Raymond in the quarterfinals and second seed Amy
Frazier in the semifinals before tonight's triumph.
Ranked No. 101 in the world at the end of 1998, Capriati has displayed a renewed
enthusiasm for tennis this season with the help of renowned coach Harold Solomon.
Capriati captured her first singles title in six years at Strasbourg, France in May and
reaching the fourth round at both the French and U.S. Opens. She made a tearful exit
after her loss to Monica Seles at the U.S. Open, where she was bombarded with questions
about her past, which includes a 1994 arrest for drug possession.
Capriati will move up three spots to No. 27 when the new WTA rankings are released
Monday, her highest position since July 28, 1997, when she held that same ranking.
"Starting with the first tournament next year in Australia, I will know which direction
I will be going," said Capriati on her future goals. "The first few tournaments of the
year will give me good feelings."
Rubin suffered her second straight heartbreaking loss in the final of this event, having
lost a third-set tiebreak to Tara Snyder last year. Rubin avenged that defeat with a
convincing 6-1, 6-3 win in the semifinals but could not duplicate that performance today
as she fell to 2-4 lifetime against Capriati.
"I am a bit disappointed," Rubin said. "Capriati is a tough player to play against and
she played very well today. I had break-point opportunities but I did not take advantage
of them."
Ranked No. 27, Rubin was seeking her third career WTA Tour title. The 23-year-old
started the year by winning the Tasmanian International in Hobart, Australia. She also
upset world No. 1 Martina Hingis en route to the semifinals at Indian Wells, California
and reached the fourth round at the Australian Open.
The results:
BELL CHALLENGE · Quebec City, Canada · Sunday Results
Final
Jennifer Capriati (4) def. Chanda Rubin (3), 4-6, 6-1, 6-2
Well and if you wanna check out all the pre-views or the doubles or ANYTHING..just visit
the Official Homepage of this fine tourney: http://www.challengebell.com/
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
$ SECTION 7: THE WTA TOUR: PART 2 &
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Well so much for that first week...3 weeks ago..hehehe..now on to our second week..flip
the page to see it all happen...
Wout... --------->>>>>