CHARLESTON: Rights of Passage - 網球

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CHARLESTON: Rights of Passage
14/04/2006:

Justine safely made her passage through talented Croatian Karolina Sprem on
Thursday 6-4 6-4 in the 3rd round. It wasn't fluent beautiful clay court
tennis, but an important step toward that direction. The Belgian champion
will next play Dinara Safina (Marat's younger sister) in Friday's
quarterfinal to be played about 15:00 hrs (est) on center court.

"It was a different kind of match because she was hitting the ball very hard,
and there wasn't a lot of rhythm, so the conditions were very different from
what it was two days ago because here it was hot and the clay was faster, so
the game was, yeah, it was pretty fast, and I had to adjust a little bit, but
when I had to serve well in the first and in the second I did, but sometimes
I lose a little bit my concentration, but it's very important to win this
kind of match in two sets, and I'm in the quarters, so that's very good" -
Justine


It was the first match meeting between Justine, and Karolina Sprem; the
Croatian made a name for herself by defeating Venus Williams at Wimbledon in
2004 during the 2nd round. The Belgian tornado started out strongly in the
opening games of the first set with a good Henin-Hardenne standard of 65%
first serves. Karolina is typical of many young players on tour that find
their range, and comfort zone best when pounding from the baseline. The
rallies were hard hitting, but eager Sprem wasn't consistent enough. Justine
allowed Karolina no breakpoints, yet happily took the invitation to break the
Croatian's service games. The 2x Roland Garros champion won the first set 6-4.


"I think, you know, mistakes are part of the game. Sometimes you do unforced
errors, and on clay it's hard to do a lot of winners, especially in the first
match. It's only my first tournament. You cannot ask me to be in my best
level on my second match back on clay court. So I think it's good to keep
winning, and then if you can play very well, it's fine, but just stay
concentrated on the most important thing, the victory" - Justine

Justine sailed away to a 4-1 lead after losing her service game at 1-1 in the
early part of the second set. The Croation's errors, double faults, and
general erratic play forced Justine to be stern on the baseline. Nothing too
adventurous or flowing, but the Belgian virtuoso managed a gritty hold of
this second set for 5-2. Too greedy, and looking far too ahead Justine
dropped her serve as Karolina fought back to 5-4. Clarity back, and level
headedness the reigning Roland Garros champion had her best service game on
offer at 40-0 to win her first match point. The game, set, and match went to
Justine 6-4 6-4.

Justine def. Karolina Sprem 6-4 6-4.

Justine will next play Dinara Safina, ranked number 20. They've played twice,
and their last meeting was in 2004 at Amelia Island. The queen of Roland
Garros won that green clay match in two sets 6-4 7-6(8-6).

"You know, the paper is one thing, but when you're on the court, it's a
different story, and for sure it's easier to play someone, I mean, from the
Top 5 or the Top 10 than to play someone that is 90 in the world like today
because I know that she's going to give everything because she doesn't have
any pressure. But you know, right now I'm in the quarters. That's not because
I'm the first seed in the tournament that I will have to win this. It will be
too easy. You just have to prove it on the court, and it's not all the time
very easy to do that" - Justine

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