Mauresmo upsets Capriati in Canadian Open final
Charles Grandmont
Seventh seed Amelie Mauresmo received a boost ahead of this month's U.S. Open when she upset American favourite Jennifer Capriati 6-4 6-1 in the Canadian Open final on Sunday.
The Frenchwoman frustrated Capriati with an inspired mix of long shots and volleys, never letting her opponent impose her rhythm on the match.
Second seed Capriati showed increasing signs of frustration as the match, which lasted just over an hour, progressed on the windy Centre Court, contesting several line calls and two of Mauresmo's six aces.
"You can imagine how much I hate to loose," the 26 year-old Capriati said, adding the swirling wind made for erratic shots.
"No matter what I tried to do, I couldn't finish the shots," she said.
The victory capped off a successful week for Mauresmo, who also ended Capriati's Wimbledon hopes in the quarter-finals last month, as she did not drop a single set on her way to the title.
"In practice this morning, I immediately saw it was windy. You had to adapt, especially in the head," said the seventh-seeded Mauresmo after winning her second title of the season and eighth of her career.
"It's always a good sign when the other player gets worked up. You say to yourself that there is a little weakness."
Mauresmo got the first break in the last game of the first set, which she secured on her fourth set point with a volley smash.
FALTERING SERVE
Mauresmo continued to attack the American's faltering serve in the second set and broke Capriati to go 3-1 up with a spectacular backhand stop volley.
"It was maybe kind of a downward spiral from there," Capriati said.
The 23 year-old Frenchwoman did not lose another game, finishing the match on an ace.
"The key was to break her in the second set, that crushed her spirits," Mauresmo said. "Success came to the one which dared to go forward."
She pocketed $182,000 for her win, while Capriati, who won here in 1991 at 15, received $92,000.
Despite the loss, Capriati said she was feeling confident going into the U.S. Open next Monday, where she hopes to break the Williams sisters domination.
"It was definitely a good week. I won't let this match disappoint me because I know I played very good tennis," said Capriati, who has failed to win a tournament since winning the Australian Open in January.
