Doha - Brave Heart - 網球

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Doha - Brave Heart
03/03/2007:

"I am one match away to do that (Gulf double). But I am happy to be in final
as I did not really know what to expect a few weeks ago when I came back and
played a couple of matches. I won matches in three sets and it is good for my
confidence. No matter what happens tomorrow I think I am doing a good job for
two weeks. I hope I can get another title here and enjoy that moment" -
Justine

Justine continued winning her duels in Doha by defeating Serbian Jelena
Jankovic in three sets 6-7(5-7) 6-2 6-4. Windy conditions caused problems for
both players with serves gone wayward, but brave heart were the buzz words in
Friday's match. Justine will play Svetlana Kuznetsova in the final on
Saturday night at 18:00 hrs.

"It was a big problem(wind). And the conditions were very difficult. It was
better this morning when I had my practice. I wear contacts(lens) and with
the sand and wind it wasn't easy at all. It was hard to play good tennis. It
was a good fight" - JH

This was the third meeting for Justine and Jelena, and it was their last bout
at US OPEN semi-final that launched the Serbian's reputation as one of the
bright new players on tour. Previous matches have been three sets, and it was
no different on Friday. Justine started the first set up at 4-2, but the
outstanding return game from Jankovic equalized from 4-4. The windy
conditions bothered both players, but affected Justine more, and she lost the
tiebreaker. 6-7(5-7) in 61 minutes.

Justine won the second set 6-2 in 31 minutes starting fresher after a
difficult loss in the tiebreak. There were some very entertaining rallies
despite the challenge of the wind, but the fustration started to show on
Jankovic; a player that wears her emotions like a badge of honor.

"I wasn't playing very well but I came back very strongly. I had my chances
in the first set but did not take those opportunities. In the second set, I
played much better and in the third set I had the control of the match even
though it was hard to keep my serve. I remained very aggressive on the
return. It was good and very happy with the way the match ended and happy to
be in the final" - Justine

The third set was played mainly for return points due to the windy conditions
seriously downgrading both players' serves. Cool, and calm Justine rallied
for every point as if match point, while Jelena struggled to fight back.
Justine won the final set 6-4.


Final Score 6-7(5) 6-2 6-4 in 2 hrs 22 mins.

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