ROLAND GARROS: Razor's Edge - 網球

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ROLAND GARROS: Razor's Edge
08/06/2006:

Justine defeated long time rival compatriot Kim Clijsters 6-3 6-2 in a
performance that would make any member of a hospital's elite surgical unit
smile. The debonair Belgian produced razor edge forehands, deep slices, crisp
serves and immaculate backhands which left nothing to chance. Clijsters the
number #2 seed was outplayed by brilliance. The 2x Roland Garros champion
will face off with Svetlana Kuznetsova on Saturday for the big finale.


"When you play a semifinal at a Grand Slam, it's not an easy game. There's a
lot of tension, and there's a lot of pressure. The same will happen on
Saturday. So I tried to transform this pressure into something that takes you
forward and not something negative, something that allows you to construct
and to build. That's what I'm going to try to do up until Saturday" - Justine

The build up for this match in Belgium was immense as the country rejoiced in
seeing two of their brightest young sporting stars back on the international
center stage together. The nature of Justine's performance against Kim
Clijsters in their 20th match was highly reminiscent not of their previous
grand slam encounters, but to matches by her idol Steffi Graf. There simply
was no room for Clijsters as Justine reigned.

The first set started out clean, brisk, and of ultra high tennis standards.
As the games grew a bit longer Justine's controlled forehands, and sliced
returns pressured Kim. The games followed this pattern from the first set to
the second set. Clijsters was pinned back on the baseline with no answers to
deep sliced shots from Justine. There was nothing to do in the latter stages
of the 2nd set for Clijsters except looking discouraged as even her solid
serves were wilting under crucial points pressure. The greatest clay court
player of her generation won in two sets 6-3 6-2 in 1 hour and 9 minutes.

Justine will play Svetlana Kuznetsova who won her 3 set semi-final against on
the move Nicole Vaidisova. Paris will be burning this Saturday as Justine
will attempt to win her third Roland Garros against a competitor who's
forehand is as lethal as her own 1-handed backhand.



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