AUSTRALIAN OPEN: Simply Irresistible Justine! - 網球

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AUSTRALIAN OPEN: Simply Irresistible Justine!
26/01/2006:

Under a closed Rod Laver Arena, with the legendary tennis namesake himself
viewing the women's semi-final, Justine defeated Maria Sharapova 4-6 6-1 6-4
in 2 hours, and 26 minutes. It was a match that showcased the incredible
intensity, courage, guile, and prowess of the new royality of the women's
game. Justine will play the winner of the Mauresmo/Clijsters on Saturday for
the 2006 Australian Open trophy.


On Australia's national holiday, and with special guest Rod Laver himself in
the stands viewing this semi final match was one of the finest in recent
years. It was the 4th meeting between these two elite players, and it was
neither a rout, nor the decible induced parody critics may have assumed. The
standard was extravagantly high from the first point with Maria Shapova
showing her winning 2004 Wimbledon form. Justine was outplayed at times, as
her own service game couldn't keep up toward the latter games in the first
set. The rallies were flash, and guile from Justine, yet she fell behind.
Sharapova took the first set 6-4 in 54 minutes.

The following set featured Justine lifting her court craft, and serves. A
very solid 89% winning first serves with aces. Maria was lured into many
rallies that switched pace, speed, and directions; it resembled some of their
previous clay court encounters. A bit tipsy on crucial points, dismal drop
shots, and agony over a few bad line calls; Sharapova crumbles. The Russian
based in America loses the 2nd set to a demanding Justine 6-1 in 37 minutes.

Champions always regain their poise, and the third set brought fantastic
points out for display once more to the packed Rod Laver Arena. The level of
play rose higher as Justine put her foot on the pedal, and aimed for line
after line. High risk tennis is what the Belgian pursued, and it finally
exploded open the match at 4-2. Sharapova isn't known for her foot speed, but
she out sprinted the 2004 Australian Open champion to battle off two games in
a row, and the match. Justine's rallied to fight off more Sharapova serves to
take the set 6-4 in 59 minutes.

Final Score 4-6 6-1 6-4 in 2 hours and 26 minutes

ALLEZ JUSTINE!


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