WTA: Feb 23-29 2004 Dubai Women's Open, Dubai, UAE Tier II $585,000 - 28 players - outdoor: hard Live Scores draws, .pdf draw, .html - results schedule - Dubai weather s1 # 1 Justine Henin-Hardenne s2 SR4 Venus Williams s3 # 5 Jennifer Capriati s4 # 7 Anastasia Myskina Copa Colsanitas, Bogota, COL Tier III $170,000 - 30 players - outdoor: red clay draws & schedule .pdf .html: q draw - singles draw - sched photo gallery video s1 # 22 Fabiola Zuluaga s2 # 42 María Antonia Sánchez Lorenzo s3 # 46 Emilie Loit s4 # 47 Ashley Harkleroad

Tourney pages: Dubai & Bogota: 2006 Dubai: 2005 Bogota: 2005 previous other tourney pages next Dubai: #1 Justine Henin-Hardenne 5' 5¾", 126 lbs, RH, 1H-BH Bogota: #22 Fabiola Zuluaga 5' 7¾", 141 lbs, RH, 2H-BH

    On Saturday in the Dubai final, top-seeded (on account of being # 1) Justine Henin-Hardenne of Belgium had to work to defeat upwardly-mobile # 28 Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia 7-6(3), 6-3 (photo shown).
    Justine served for the 1st set at 5-4, but Svetlana broke her to level the set. Justine said: "It was a little negative point that when I was taking control of the match I didn't play well... at the start of the week I wasn't feeling well and I was not sure I could play properly. But I was able to come back when I wanted to and physically I am feeling good. I have recovered from the bronchitis... I'm working very hard, I think I deserved it." story

    Svetlana said: I was a little bit tired. I tried to do what I can do but she didn't let me and I was not at my best. My unforced errors put pressure on me and I should have done better. If I am not on the top of my game I must be more patient, but this was still the best week of my career."

    Justine now has a 4-0 career record against Svetlana, but Svetlana has apparently stepped up her game a bit this week. Before the match, Justine said: "[Svetlana is] very confident and at the moment has nothing to lose. I had trouble to finish the match when I played her in the Australian Open [where Justine won 6-2, 7-5] and I will have to be careful."

    21-year-old Justine was born in Liege, but now "lives" in Marloie (meaning she is from the French-speaking part of Belgium). Justine is now 17-10 in WTA singles finals, including 3 different Grand Slam tourneys (Wimbledon remains on her hit list). Justine is married to Pierre-Yves Hardenne, wears adidas, and triggers the lethal 1-handed backhand from a gun called a Wilson "H Tour". Justine has been coached since she was 14 by Carlos Rodriguez.

    18-year-old Svetlana was born and "resides" in St. Petersburg, the city that was known as Leningrad for a while for some strange reason. She has won 2 WTA singles titles thus far, both in 2002, at Helsinki and Bali. Svetlana wields a Head racquet and is attired in Fila togs. She is coached by Stefan Ortega, training in Barcelona. This week's wins pushed her ranking to a new career high of # 20.

    On Sunday in the final in Bogota, local girl # 22 Fabiola Zuluaga of Colombia engineered a more narrow escape, defeating # 83 Maria Antonia Sanchez Lorenzo of Spain 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 (Fabiola is shown during her SF on Saturday).
    Surprisingly, veterans Fabiola and Maria Antonia had never played each other before. With both young ladies of the Latin persuasion and very pleasing to the eye, the tourney sponsors should be quite happy.

    25-year-old Fabiola, born in Cucuta, Colombia and "residing" in Bogota (WTA players have little time for residing) has now won 5 WTA singles titles, including this, her home tourney, in 2003, 2002, and 1999. She owns this court, and is having a good year, reaching the SFs of the Australian Open, her best Grand Slam performance ever. Fabiola swings a Babolat bat.

    26-year-old Maria Antonia (who is often referred to as Maria Sanchez Lorenzo, dropping the Antonia to save space) was born in Salamanca, Spain and "lives" in Barcelona. Maria has won 1 WTA singles title, wears La Coste garb and also chops with a Babolat axe, a "Pure Drive", the overwhelming choice of those pros who choose Babolat. She has an official website at Vamos-Maria.com, which links to a nice gallery of recent photos of Maria in action. Maria'a previous career-high rank was # 37, her performance raised her to a new high of # 36.

Dubai:
    The main draw for Dubai had 8 seeds, with 4 1st-round byes. There were 4 qualifiers, 2 Lucky Losers, and 3 wild cards in the main draw. Qualifying finals were on Monday.
    Dubai time is GMT (UCT, ZULU) +4 hours (US Pacific Time +12, ET +9). Dubai has live scoring by games.

Bogota: a great looking website, particularly for a Tier III tourney
    Play in Bogota was suspended for rain on Tuesday afternoon, play resumed, but one match was unfinished and was completed Wednesday.
    The main draw for Bogota had 8 seeds, with 2 1st-round byes. There were 4 qualifiers, 1 Lucky Loser, and 2 wild cards in the main draw. Qualifying finals were on Monday.
    Bogota time is GMT (UCT, ZULU) -5 hours (US Pacific Time +3, same as ET). Bogota has live scoring by points.

Eurosport Interview Videos on Real Video from the Dubai Women's Open:
# 1 s1 Justine Henin-Hardenne sightseeing
# 8 s5 Ai Sugiyama shopping
# 7 s4 Anastasia Myskina (and Elena Likhovtseva) with horses with horses at Zabeel Stables
# 5 s3 Jennifer Capriati returning from injury
# 17 s2 Venus Williams aims for 2004

WTA SCOREBOARD: Dubai & Bogota s=seed, #=rank, *=upset, LL=lucky loser ranks are for the previous week How do players get into the "draw"? Ai Sugiyama on Sunday   Venus Williams on Monday

Dubai, 1st Round, Mon 2:30pm loser's prize: $4,025 US; points: 1 *#51 Anca Barna GER d #21 Magdalena Maleeva BUL 2-6, 6-4, 7-5 #37 Alicia Molik AUS d #40 Maria Vento-Kabchi VEN 7-6(3), 6-2 *#28 Svetlana Kuznetsova RUS d #15 s7 Francesca Schiavone ITA 6-4, 6-4 Dubai, 1st Round, Tues 2pm story #8 s5 Ai Sugiyama JPN d #34 Lina Krasnoroutskaya RUS 6-2, 6-3 *#38 Petra Mandula HUN d #14 s6 Jelena Dokic SCG 6-1, 6-2     Jelena said: "I think people would expect much more from me. I don't think there was a rally of more than three balls from my side. [Petra] played really well and I played really bad, and that's what happens... It is disappointing because I started the year so well [reaching the semi-finals in Tokyo]. I had tough matches and even if I didn't play well I got through. I have to work very hard mentally and tennis-wise now. I just need some more matches to get some more confidence, and hopefully I won't have matches like this." #18 s8 Conchita Martinez ESP v #118 q Mervana Jugic-Salkic BIH 6-3, 6-2 #23 Magui Serna ESP d #97 q Vera Douchevina RUS 6-4, 6-4 #30 Meghann Shaughnessy USA d #55 LL Aniko Kapros HUN 6-1, 6-2 #36 wc Eleni Daniilidou GRE d #33 Tina Pisnik SLO 3-6, 6-3, 3-2 *#80 q Maria Elena Camerin ITA d #43 Elena Likhovtseva RUS 5-7, 6-1, 6-0 *wc #154 Selima Sfar TUN d #54 Tamarine Tanasugarn THA 6-2 4-0 retired right knee tendonitis     About her next round match against Justine Henin-Hardenne, Selima said: "It will be the best match of my life. I have nothing to lose as Justine is the best player in the world. I'm going to give it everything I've got and enjoy every second." #59 wc Nicole Pratt AUS d #82 q Jie Zheng CHN 7-5, 7-5

Dubai, 2nd Round, Weds 2pm story 1 - story 2 loser's prize: $7,600 US; points: 25 #1 s1 Justine Henin-Hardenne BEL v #154 wc Selima Sfar TUN 6-1, 7-5 *#36 wc Eleni Daniilidou GRE d #5 s3 Jennifer Capriati USA 6-4, 7-6(2) Eleni Daniilidou     Eleni said: "I felt very positive today. The last few times I played [Jennifer] I did not believe enough. They were tough matches and I had chances, but I did not come through... I was up 5-2 in the second set and I got a little tight, she played better and the set could have gone to her. I did not want it to go three sets. On the last point in the tie-break I think I was very positive."     Jennifer said: "[Eleni is] a tough player. I always have a hard time against her even when I am in top shape. I'm still a bit rusty and I wish I had an easier first round. But it was a good test. I'm proud of my performance despite my loss and I'm not too disappointed. I still need mental toughness and confidence especially during the nerve wracking points."     About playing her 1st match since her Nov 2003 back injury, Jennifer said: "I think obviously I was a little rusty movement-wise. I was fairly fatigued at the end... A third set would have been too much for me. I did enjoy the match. I gave 100% even if I wasn't at 100% level." #7 s4 Anastasia Myskina RUS d #23 Magui Serna ESP 6-1, 6-4 #8 s5 Ai Sugiyama JPN d #59 wc Nicole Pratt AUS 6-2, 6-2 #17 SR4 s2 Venus Williams USA d #37 Alicia Molik AUS 6-3, 6-4 Venus Williams     Venus said: "It was one of my most exciting wins... because of all the hurdles I've been through. I wanted to go out there and play, without being injured or in pain. My leg is a lot better. It's not 100 percent, but I was able to do much more than before."     About her injury layoff, Venus said: "I think it's possibly good to have some time off. I think having time off and returning to some kind of normality will lengthen my career. I got to wake up late - which was an extremely new experience." #18 s8 Conchita Martinez ESP d #80 q Maria Elena Camerin ITA 6-2, 6-2 #28 Svetlana Kuznetsova RUS v #51 Anca Barna GER 6-4, 6-3 #30 Meghann Shaughnessy USA d #38 Petra Mandula HUN 7-6(1), 6-4

Dubai, QFs, Thurs 2pm story 1 - story 2 loser's prize: $14,100 US; points: 49 #1 s1 Justine Henin-Hardenne BEL d #18 s8 Conchita Martinez ESP 6-1, 6-0 *#30 Meghann Shaughnessy USA d #7 s4 Anastasia Myskina RUS 7-6(2), 4-6, 6-3 #8 s5 Ai Sugiyama JPN v #36 wc Eleni Daniilidou GRE 6-1, 6-3 *#28 Svetlana Kuznetsova RUS d #17 SR4 s2 Venus Williams USA 6-2, 6-3     Svetlana said: "I played great today. I was relaxed and tried to play my game. I really enjoyed it today... [Venus is] not at the top of her level now, but when you play against these top players you still have to play so good to beat them... In other matches I was so nervous. It helped that there wasn't much time between my late night match [with Anca Barna] and this one. It meant that I didn't have time to think about it."     Venus said: "It's very difficult to play an event of this caliber against players who have trained and been out there practicing. After Tokyo I just hit for a couple of hours in London, and here about an hour each day, and it's not enough to be ready. But I know that I'll be okay, I'm really in good spirits."     Venus also said: "The leg is better but at the moment I don't know whether it is the anti-inflammatories which is making it better or not. Anti-inflammatories are my middle name... I am just glad I met my obligations here and now I have to go and get better. I just wonder at the moment whether I can move or hit the ball, which is difficult to do in a match... [Svetlana] played very well and is a good player but people who have seen me play know that this is not what I am normally like... I am just looking forward to going home and getting prepared for the Nasdaq."

Dubai, SFs, Fri 2pm & 7pm story loser's prize: $26,500 US; points: 88 #1 s1 Justine Henin-Hardenne BEL d #30 Meghann Shaughnessy USA 6-4, 6-2 Justine Henin-Hardenne     Justine said: "This is the way I have to play if I am going to win Wimbledon. My game is evolving and although I volley a lot in practice I have to push myself to do it in a match, because sometimes I am afraid of making mistakes." *#28 Svetlana Kuznetsova RUS d #8 s5 Ai Sugiyama JPN 6-0, 7-5 Svetlana Kuznetsova     Svetlana said: "I'm feeling more relaxed and am enjoying my tennis... I'm still not in the best shape and there are so many things I can work on. I still have to work hard and focus on what I am doing."     Ai said: "I knew she was playing well but I was shocked by the first set... [Svetlana] is very good and she can be even better."

Dubai, Final, Sat 7pm loser's prize: $49,500 US; points: 137 winner's prize: $93,000 US; points: 195 #1 s1 Justine Henin-Hardenne BEL d #28 Svetlana Kuznetsova RUS 7-6(3), 6-3

Dubai, Doubles Final, Sat loser's prize: $15,600 US winner's prize: $29,000 US s4 Conchita Martinez & Janette Husarova d Svetlana Kuznetsova & Elena Likhovtseva 6-0, 1-6, 6-3 Dubai, Qualifying Finals, Mon *#82 Jie Zheng CHN d #55 Aniko Kapros HUN 6-3, 6-4 *#80 Maria Elena Camerin ITA d #62 Claudine Schaul 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 *#97 Vera Douchevina RUS d #88 Marie-Gaianeh Mikelian SUI 7-6, 6-3 #118 Mervana Jugic-Salkic BIH d #120 Angelique Widjaja INA 7-5, 6-2 Dubai, Withdrawals #19 Silvia Farina Elia ITA rest & recovery

Bogota, 1st Round, Mon noon+ loser's prize: $1,300 US; points: 1 #63 s6 Ludmila Cervanova SVK v #84 Tathiana Garbin ITA 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-3 Ludmila Cervanova *#891 wc Megan Falcon USA d #94 Gala Leon Garcia ESP 6-2, 6-2 Megan Falcon *#105 Conchita Martinez Granados ESP d #99 Eva Birnerova CZE 76(3) 63 Bogota, 1st Round, Tues 10am #57 s5 Anabel Medina Garrigues ESP v #75 Samantha Reeves USA 6-2, 6-2 *#237 q Lana Popadic HRV d #64 s7 Arantxa Parra ESP 7-5, 6-4 *#103 Antonella Serra Zanetti ITA d #76 Milagros Sequera VEN 6-2, 6-3 *#129 Catalina Castano COL d #81 Flavia Pennetta ITA 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 Catalina Castano #83 Lubomira Kurhajcova SVK v #124 Adriana Serra Zanetti ITA 6-2, 6-2 NR Barbara Schwartz AUT d #115 Julia Schruff GER 6-1, 6-1 *#185 q Alyona Bondarenko UKR d #155 Nuria Llagostera ESP 7-6, 6-1, 6-1 Alyona Bondarenko *#319 wc Lourdes Dominguez-Lino ESP d #207 Maria Fernanda Alves BRA 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 Bogota, 1st Round, Weds 10am #46 s3 Emilie Loit FRA d #168 LL Edina Gallovits ROM 6-2, 6-2 Emilie Loit *#109 Marta Marrero ESP d #47 s4 Ashley Harkleroad USA 6-4, 7-6(1) #68 s8 Melinda Czink HUN v #188 q Marie-Eve Pelletier CAN 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(2) finished from Tuesday due to rain Bogota, 2nd Round, Weds 10am loser's prize: $2,200 US; points: 16 #42 s2 María Sánchez Lorenzo v NR Barbara Schwartz AUT 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 *#237 q Lana Popadic HRV d #103 Antonella Serra Zanetti ITA 6-2, 6-3

Bogota, 2nd Round, Thurs 10am #22 s1 Fabiola Zuluaga COL d #185 q Alyona Bondarenko UKR 6-0, 6-0 #46 s3 Emilie Loit FRA d #319 wc Lourdes Dominguez-Lino ESP 7-6, 0-6, 6-4 *#129 Catalina Castano COL d #57 s5 Anabel Medina Garrigues ESP 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 Catalina Castano #63 s6 Ludmila Cervanova SVK d #891 wc Megan Falcon USA 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 *#105 Conchita Martinez Granados ESP d #68 s8 Melinda Czink HUN 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 #83 Lubomira Kurhajcova SVK d #109 Marta Marrero ESP 5-7, 6-1, 6-3 Lubomira Kurhajcova

Bogota, QFs, Fri 10am loser's prize: $4,000 US; points: 30 #22 s1 Fabiola Zuluaga COL d #129 Catalina Castano COL 6-3, 6-0 Match point on Windows Media Video Castano interview on Windows Media Video-- Spanish #42 s2 María Sánchez Lorenzo ESP d #237 q Lana Popadic HRV 3-6, 6-4, 6-0 #46 s3 Emilie Loit FRA d #105 Conchita Martinez Granados ESP 7-6, 6-7, 6-2 *#83 Lubomira Kurhajcova SVK d #63 s6 Ludmila Cervanova SVK 6-4, 7-6

Bogota, SFs, Sat 10am loser's prize: $7,500 US; points: 55 #22 s1 Fabiola Zuluaga COL d #83 Lubomira Kurhajcova SVK 6-2, 0-6, 7-6(4) Zuluaga post-match interview on Windows Media Video-- Spanish Kurhajcova post-match interview on Windows Media Video-- English #42 s2 María Sánchez Lorenzo ESP d #46 s3 Emilie Loit FRA 7-5, 6-2

Bogota, Final, Sun 10:50am loser's prize: $14,500 US; points: 85 winner's prize: $27,000 US; points: 120 Colombia TV – Chanel A #22 s1 Fabiola Zuluaga COL d #42 s2 María Sánchez Lorenzo ESP 3-6, 6-4, 6-2

Bogota, Doubles Final, Sat loser's prize: $4,250 US winner's prize: $8,000 US Barbara Schwartz & Jasmin Woehr d Anabel Medina Garrigues & Arantxa Parra 6-1, 6-3 Bogota, Qualifying Finals, Mon *#237 Lana Popadic HRV d #168 Edina Gallovits ROM 6-3, 6-1 *#185 Alyona Bondarenko UKR d #178 Patricia Wartusch AUT 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 #188 Marie-Eve Pelletier CAN d #289 Julie Ditty USA 7-6(8), 6-4 #207 Maria Fernanda Alves BRA d #301 Salome Devidze GEO 7-6(5), 7-5 Bogota, Withdrawals #99 Klara Koukalova CZE left femoral muscle stretched

    (Feb 22, 2004) 27-year-old Jennifer Capriati is to play her 1st tourney of the year in Dubai; she has been sidelined with a back injury since the Nov 2003 WTA Championships. Jennifer said: "I had to take a lot of time off with an injury like that and it crossed my mind that if it doesn't get better perhaps I can't get back... I wanted to decide when it was going to be over, and I knew I wasn't ready. I wasn't able to play when I wanted to and I didn't like that. I realised I missed it. I thought I have had a great career and nothing which has happened am I really ashamed of. But I thought perhaps I could have done more."
    About this tourney, Jennifer said: "I shall just be thinking of trying to get through it... I have no expectations at all and I don't want people to have expectations of me, because I don't know what is going to happen."
    Venus Williams is also returning from injury, and Justine Henin-Hardenne from a tough bout of bronchitis.

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