Capriati battles past
Mauresmo in Rome
Jennifer Capriati reclaimed the world number one ranking from the injured Venus Williams by beating Amelie Mauresmo 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 in the quarter-finals of the Italian Open on Friday.
The American now plays compatriot Serena Williams in the last four.
Kim Clijsters set up a last four tussle with fellow-Belgian Justine Henin after both cruised through their matches.
In one of the most competitive games of the tournament, Capriati had to battle all the way to overcome Mauresmo's determined challenge.
"It was definitely a good match and I think the people liked it," said the American.
"It's nice to be part of providing good tennis."
Capriati had to work hard even in the first set, despite losing only two games, and from then on the Frenchwoman went from strength to strength.
She broke the Capriati serve decisively late in the second set and was then a break up in the third before the American's gritty determination won through.
Serena Williams beat Russia's Anastasia Myskina 6-3 6-4 and afterwards said she was looking forward to playing Capriati.
"It's too bad it's not the final," said Williams. "She's playing great tennis, I'm playing great tennis and we're both American, so at least one American will be in the final."
Williams and Capriati have played each other eight times before, notching up four wins apiece although Williams won their most recent encounter in the Ericsson Open final in Miami.
Clijsters was too strong for Sandrine Testud, beating the Frenchwoman 6-1, 6-3.
"I feel like when you play Sandrine you have to stay focussed because she can turn a match around so quickly," said Clijsters.
"I tried to be aggressive and it worked."
Clijsters, who was beaten in last year's French Open final by Capriati, added she was excited about renewing her on court rivalry with Henin.
PROUD BELGIAN
"She's obviously playing very well," said Clijsters. "It's another chance for Belgium to have a girl in the final so I'm proud to be play against her."
Henin, who won the title in Berlin last week, marched in the last four with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Virginia Ruano Pascual.
Despite sporting heavy strapping on her left thigh, Henin looked in hot form against the Spaniard.
"If play Kim I have nothing to lose because I have lost the last few times," said Henin. "When we play it's always special. I go out on court to give 100 percent so we will wait and see what happens."
The duo's most memorable match was in the French Open semifinals last year when Henin lead by a set and 4-1 before her nerve failed her and she allowed Clijsters to take the match in three sets.
