WTA: May 10-16 2004 Telecom Italia Masters, Rome, ITA Tier I $1,300,000 - 56 players - outdoor: red clay Live Scores draws & schedule .pdf results photos Rome: map s1 # 7 Serena Williams s2 # 3 Amelie Mauresmo s3 # 5 Anastasia Myskina s4 # 6 Nadia Petrova

Tourney pages: Rome: 2006 - 2005 - 2003 previous other tourney pages next Rome: #8 Jennifer Capriati 5'7", 160 lbs, RH, 2H-BH Rome: #3 Amelie Mauresmo 5'9", 152 lbs, RH, 1H-BH

    In the Telecom Italia Masters final at the Foro Italico in Rome on Sunday, 2nd-seeded # 3 Amelie Mauresmo of France defeated 5th-seeded # 8 Jennifer Capriati of the US 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(6) (photos shown).
    Amelie said: "It was so close. When you get to the third-set tiebreaker, you don't really know what is going to happen. You just hang in there, go for it if you have the opportunity, and I felt that's what I did... I felt that I had some more energy left than [Jennifer] did. It was a very intense match, very long and very intense from the beginning. The level was unbelievable from the first game." AP story
    Last week in their Berlin SF Amelie, in top form, whupped Jennifer 6-2, 6-0. Jennifer said: "Last week [Amelie] played really well and I wasn't ready for her. So I had something to prove to myself and to her... I felt like we were both playing unbelievable tennis and I didn't lose, she had to win the match. I don't feel that bad right now. It was just a really fantastic match. That's what I thrive for and that's what I play for, these kind of matches."

    Amelie now leads Jennifer 7-4 in career meetings.
    24-year-old Amelie was born in Geneva, Switzerland and has a residence in St. Germains en Laye, France. Amelie is now 12-12 in WTA singles finals. She won last week in Berlin, by walkover due to Venus William's left ankle sprain, so she now has won 2 Tier I titles in 2 weeks, with her home Grand Slam just a week away. This was the 4th final Amelie has reached this year. Amelie wields a Dunlop "300G" bat, and is coached by Loic Courteau. Amelie wears Nike attire and shoes.
    28-year-old Jennifer has won 14 WTA singles titles in 31 finals (if you include her Olympic title); her most recent tourney win was at the Pilot Pen Open in New Haven last August. Jennifer wears Fila (converted from Nike in her younger days) and chops with a Prince bat, which the company says is a "Tour Diablo MID". Born in New York City, Jennifer has long resided during the few off-tour weeks a year at Saddlebrook, Florida, near the center of the largest concentration of WTA players in the world. Coached for years by her father, Stefano, and others occasionally (including Harold Solomon), Jennifer is now being coached by Heinz Gunthardt.

    The Rome website photo gallery (the link is above) looked excellent to begin with, with high-quality, large photos. Unfortunately they crop the photos so that they are all exactly 750x450, regardless of how it wrecks the picture. And it does wreck the picture, you can see that from the uncropped thumbnails. Someone doesn't realize that they should just crop the photos to be at most 450 pixels tall, OR at most 750 pixels wide. At least they aren't overly compressed. Also try Yahoo! news photo searches for Italian Open and Italian Masters.

    The main draw for Rome had 16 seeds, with 8 1st-round byes. There were 12 qualifiers and 4 wild cards in the main draw. Qualifying finals were on Sunday.
    Rome time is GMT (UCT, ZULU) + 2 hours (US Pacific Daylight Time +9, EDT +6). Early round play begins at 1pm local time. Rome has live scoring by points.

WTA SCOREBOARD: Rome s=seed, #=rank, *=upset, LL=lucky loser ranks are for the previous week How do players get into the "draw"?

Rome, 1st Round, Mon 1pm story loser's prize: $3,200 US; points: 1 #14 s9 Svetlana Kuznetsova RUS d #39 Alicia Molik AUS 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 #15 s10 Silvia Farina Elia ITA d #55 q Barbara Schett AUT 6-4, 6-4 Silvia Farina Elia #19 s14 Francesca Schiavone ITA d #47 Nicole Pratt AUS 6-2, 6-3 Francesca Schiavone *#100 q Dally Randriantefy MAD d #20 s15 Magdalena Maleeva BUL 63 46 64 #22 Maria Sharapova RUS d #93 q Tatiana Perebiynis UKR 6-4, 7-5 Maria Sharapova     Maria said: "It was an up and down match for me. At the beginning, I was a bit tight. Nothing seemed to be going my way, especially with the serves. But I found my rhythm, and I was able to come back and to try to dictate the points, which was working well until I was up 4-1 in the second, and then I had another letdown.  But I just managed to pull through. And [Tatiana] definitely gave me a big fight out there. She's definitely a great player to play coming out of the qualifying, winning two matches is never very easy. #28 Elena Bovina RUS d #32 Tina Pisnik SLO 6-3, 1-6, 6-0 *#91 q Samantha Reeves USA d #30 Lisa Raymond USA 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 #31 Dinara Safina RUS d #79 wc Mara Santangelo ITA 6-3, 6-2 #42 Maria Sanchez Lorenzo ESP d SR11 Sandrine Testud FRA 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 Maria Antonia Sanchez Lorenzo *#88 q Vera Douchevina RUS d #54 Cara Black ZIM 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 *#80 q Tatiana Golovin FRA d #58 Jill Craybas USA 6-4, 6-2 #81 q Marta Marrero ESP d #142 q Tatiana Panova RUS 6-1, 7-6(3) Rome, 1st Round, Tues 1pm story #16 s11 Patty Schnyder SUI d #49 Anca Barna GER 6-4, 6-1 Patty Schnyder #17 s12 Paola Suarez ARG d #24 Fabiola Zuluaga COL 5-7, 6-1 retired-- low back strain #18 s13 Conchita Martinez ESP d #133 q Yuliana Fedak UKR 6-1, 6-1 #21 s16 Anna Smashnova-Pistolesi ISR d #35 Magui Serna ESP 6-2, 6-1 *#78 wc Maria Elena Camerin ITA d #23 Jelena Dokic SCG 7-5, 7-5 Maria Elena Camerin #25 Nathalie Dechy FRA d #45 Kristina Brandi PUR 6-4, 6-4 *#48 Elena Likhovtseva RUS d #27 Emilie Loit FRA 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 #29 Karolina Sprem CRO d #41 Daniela Hantuchova SVK 6-2, 6-2     Karolina said: "I have a lot of confidence and I believe in myself and when I going on the court, I think that I can beat anyone. I think that this is the important thing." #34 Mary Pierce FRA d #67 q Gisela Dulko ARG 6-1, 6-4 #37 Maria Vento-Kabchi VEN d #74 q Klara Koukalova CZE 7-6(3), 2-6, 6-4 #40 Meghann Shaughnessy USA d #44 q Jelena Kostanic CRO 6-4, 7-6 *#71 wc Flavia Pennetta ITA d #50 Laura Granville USA 6-0, 6-3

Rome, 2nd Round, Tues loser's prize: $6,300 US; points: 25 #7 SR2 s1 Serena Williams USA d #42 Maria Sanchez Lorenzo ESP 7-5, 6-3 Serena Williams     Serena said: "I made about 1,000 unforced errors, and so that pretty much explains it all. I couldn't hit the ball in. I'm like 'Why?' But at least I got through it... I think I'm playing pretty well. I'm practicing very well. I just think maybe I was off a little in the match. It just means that when it comes for me to make the shot, I can.  But if I necessarily don't have to make it, then I don't. But as long as I'm practicing well, I feel comfortable with it. I'm real confident going into the match." *#22 Maria Sharapova RUS d #9 s6 Elena Dementieva RUS 6-1, 6-4 Maria Sharapova     Maria said: "I had a steady level out there, and I was dictating most of the points from the start of the match. I felt really confident. I attacked [Elena's] serve quite well. When the points got really close, I thought she mentally got down a little bit, and I took advantage of that." Rome, 2nd Round, Weds 1pm story #3 s2 Amelie Mauresmo FRA d #25 Nathalie Dechy FRA 7-5, 6-2     Amelie said: "Just before the end of the first set, at 5-all, was the time I adjusted myself to the conditions and to this match. After that, I was more effective on what I was doing and really going forward a little bit more. [Nathalie] was playing well and she took control of the game in the first couple games, so 5-all I wanted to make the difference.     "[Nathalie and I have] grown up together. We've known each other since we were probably 9 or 10 and we practice a lot together, plus play Fed Cup.  So we know each other pretty well and it's never easy to play another French player." *#48 Elena Likhovtseva RUS d #5 s3 Anastasia Myskina RUS 7-5, 1-6, 6-3 *#71 wc Flavia Pennetta ITA d #6 s4 Nadia Petrova RUS 1-6, 7-6(4), 6-4 Flavia Penneta #8 s5 Jennifer Capriati USA d #37 Maria Vento-Kabchi VEN 6-2, 6-1 Jennifer Capriati     Jennifer said: "I'm feeling more like myself out there, kind of the aggressive style that I play, and really going for my shots and moving well." #10 s7 Ai Sugiyama JPN d #34 Mary Pierce FRA 6-2, 6-4 #12 s8 Vera Zvonareva RUS d #31 Dinara Safina RUS 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 #14 s9 Svetlana Kuznetsova RUS d #81 q Marta Marrero ESP 6-0, 6-4 #15 s10 Silvia Farina Elia ITA v #40 Meghann Shaughnessy USA cC m4 8:30pm+ *#28 Elena Bovina RUS d #16 s11 Patty Schnyder SUI 3-6, 7-6, retired-- left upper arm strain #17 s12 Paola Suarez ARG d #80 q Tatiana Golovin FRA 6-2, 7-5 #18 s13 Conchita Martinez ESP v #29 Karolina Sprem CRO 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 #19 s14 Francesca Schiavone ITA d #91 q Samantha Reeves USA 6-3, 6-4 #21 s16 A Smashnova-Pistolesi ISR d #78 wc Maria Elena Camerin ITA 6-2, 6-1 *#100 q Dally Randriantefy MAD d #88 q Vera Douchevina RUS 6-0, 6-3 Rome, 2nd Round, Thurs 11am postponed from Weds due to rain #15 s10 Silvia Farina Elia ITA d #40 Meghann Shaughnessy USA 6-2, 7-5 Silvia Farina Elia

Rome, 3rd Round, Thurs 1pm story loser's prize: $12,450 US; points: 42 #3 s2 Amelie Mauresmo FRA v #18 s13 Conchita Martinez ESP 6-3, 6-4     Amelie said: "I tried to avoid long rallies and make sure [Conchita] doesn't have too much time to put a lot of topspin and [hit] high balls. When she doesn't have enough time, then it makes it easier." #7 SR2 s1 Serena Williams USA d #100 q Dally Randriantefy MAD 6-1, 6-3 #8 s5 Jennifer Capriati USA d #17 s12 Paola Suarez ARG 6-2, 6-2 Jennifer Capriati     Jennifer said: "I felt like I was playing really well, hitting all my shots, serving well, even came to the net a few times." #14 s9 Svetlana Kuznetsova RUS d #10 s7 Ai Sugiyama JPN 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(4) #12 s8 Vera Zvonareva RUS d #28 Elena Bovina RUS 6-3, 6-0 #15 s10 Silvia Farina Elia ITA v #22 Maria Sharapova RUS 7-6(3), 6-0 Silvia Farina Elia #19 s14 Francesca Schiavone ITA d #48 Elena Likhovtseva RUS 6-1, 6-3 Francesca Schiavone #21 s16 Anna Smashnova-Pistolesi ISR d #71 wc Flavia Pennetta ITA 6-2, 6-2 Anna Smashnova-Pistolesi

Rome, QFs, Fri 1pm loser's prize: $24,600 US; points: 75 play stopped during 2nd match by rain delay #3 s2 Amelie Mauresmo FRA d #15 s10 Silvia Farina Elia ITA 6-1, 2-6, 7-5 #7 SR2 s1 Serena Williams USA d #14 s9 Svetlana Kuznetsova RUS 7-5, 6-0 #8 s5 Jennifer Capriati USA d #21 s16 A Smashnova-Pistolesi ISR 6-3, 6-3 Jennifer Capriati #12 s8 Vera Zvonareva RUS d #19 s14 Francesca Schiavone ITA 6-3, 6-3 Vera Zvonareva     Vera said: "Of course it's really tough because everybody was supporting [Francesca]. But I was also applauded when I played good points and that was really nice. It was a great win for me."

Rome, SFs, Sat 2:30pm loser's prize: $48,600 US; points: 135 #3 s2 Amelie Mauresmo FRA d #12 s8 Vera Zvonareva RUS 6-2, 6-3 Amelie Mauresmo     Amelie will play in her 4th Italian Open final in the past 5 years, but she lost the other 3. Amelie said: "Maybe the fourth time will be good for me. Anyway, it's going to be good preparation for the French Open." *#8 s5 Jennifer Capriati USA d #7 SR2 s1 Serena Williams USA 6-4, 6-4 Jennifer Capriati It was Jennifer's 5th career win over Serena, but her first since 2001: Serena had won the last 8 times they played.     Jennifer said: "I've lost to [Serena] so many times in a row. It's a very personal victory for me."     Jennifer led 5-1 in the 2nd set, but let Serena back in. Trailing 5-4, Serena had 2 break points to get to 5-5, but the next 4 points ended with Serena hitting the ball into the net.     Jennifer said: "There are voices in my head that I'm trying to brush aside. I knew I had another time to serve and that's what I felt: 'Just go for it'. If it's not going to happen, it's not going to happen. I'm not going to let it go by giving it away. I've let matches like this slip away. Today I just tried to keep concentrated to the end."     Jennifer also said: "[Serena] made too many mistakes and started to play well too late. Her serve was a little bit different. Maybe because of her knee, she wasn't pushing off much [Serena underwent knee surgery in August 2003]."     Serena said: "I definitely didn't serve well enough. Overall I didn't play well enough. But for me, it's big step. I think theoretically I'm doing a lot better... There are some things I want to work on going into the French. I'm definitely going to ameliorate them and become a real force, for sure, by French Open time. But I think I'm hitting a lot better, and I'm very satisfied with the way my game is going."

Rome, Final, Sun loser's prize: $ 95,900 US; points: 210 winner's prize: $ 189,000 US; points: 300 #3 s2 Amelie Mauresmo FRA d #8 s5 Jennifer Capriati USA 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(6)

Rome, Doubles Final losers' prize: $29,100 US winners' prize: $57,500 US s4 d10 Nadia Petrova & d12 Meghann Shaughnessy d s1 d1 Paola Suarez & d2 Virginia Ruano Pascual 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 Paola, Virginia ("Vivi"), Meghann, and Nadia     Nadia and Meghann have now won the doubles title in the last 4 tourneys they have played together in (Miami, Amelia Island, Berlin, Rome), and they now have a doubles match record of 20-3 for the year. Rome, Qualifying 1st Round, Sat May 8 #44 Jelena Kostanic CRO d #141 Antonella Serra Zanetti ITA 7-6, 6-1 *#133 Yuliana Fedak UKR d #51 Jelena Jankovic SCG 6-4, 3-1 retired #52 Iveta Benesova CZE d #99 Milagros Sequera VEN 6-0, 6-1 #55 Barbara Schett AUT d #281 Valentina Sassi ITA 7-5, 6-0 #57 Martina Sucha SVK d #108 Shenay Perry USA 6-2, 6-4 *#142 Tatiana Panova RUS d #59 Jie Zheng CHN 7-6, 7-5 #60 Claudine Schaul LUX d #567 Sara Errani ITA 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 *#145 Stephanie Gehrlein GER d #61 Katarina Srebotnik SLO 7-5, 6-4 *#100 Dally Randriantefy MAD d #64 Lubomira Kurhajkova SVK 7-6, 6-0 #67 Gisela Dulko ARG d #110 Tian Tian Sun CHN 6-3, 6-2 #70 Marion Bartoli FRA d #195 Nathalie Vierin ITA 6-3, 6-1 #74 Klara Koukalova CZE d #131 Maret Ani EST 6-3, 6-4 #75 Julia Vakulenko UKR d #97 Emmanuelle Gagliardi SUI 6-7, 6-3, 6-2 #80 Tatiana Golovin FRA d #105 Mervana Jugic-Salkic BIH 6-2, 7-5 #81 Marta Marrero ESP d #250 Giulia Casoni ITA 6-1, 6-4 #83 Els Callens BEL d #124 Julila Schruff GER 7-5, 7-6 #85 Rita Grande ITA d #538 Margot Torre ITA 6-2, 6-4 #86 Alina Jidkova RUS d #254 Alice Canepa ITA 6-7(6), 6-2 6-2 #88 Vera Douchevina RUS d #106 Sandra Kleinova CZE 6-4, 6-2 #91 Samantha Reeves USA d #137 Meilen Tu 7-5, 6-3 #93 Tatiana Perebiynis UKR d #98 Samantha Stosur AUS UKR 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 *#120 Adriana Serra Zanetti ITA d #96 Marlene Weingartner GER 6-4, 6-4 *#115 Roberta Vinci ITA d #87 Tathiana Garbin ITA 6-1, 6-0 Rome, Qualifying 1st Round, Sun May 9 #82 Virginia Ruano Pascual ESP d #125 Zuzana Ondraskova CZE 6-3, 6-2 Rome, Qualifying Finals, Sun May 9 #44 Jelena Kostanic CRO d #115 Roberta Vinci ITA 6-0, 6-3 *#80 Tatiana Golovin FRA d #52 Iveta Benesova CZE 1-6, 7-5, 6-4 #55 Barbara Schett AUT d #86 Alina Jidkova RUS 6-0, 7-5 *#93 Tatiana Perebiynis UKR d #57 Martina Sucha SVK 6-4, 6-1 *#81 Marta Marrero ESP d #60 Claudine Schaul LUX 6-4, 6-3 #67 Gisela Dulko ARG d #82 Virginia Ruano Pascual ESP 6-4, 6-0 *#88 Vera Douchevina RUS d #70 Marion Bartoli FRA 7-6, 6-0 #74 Klara Koukalova CZE d #75 Julia Vakulenko UKR 2-6, 6-1, 6-3 *#133 Yuliana Fedak UKR d #83 Els Callens BEL 6-4, 6-3 *#142 Tatiana Panova RUS d #85 Rita Grande ITA 6-1, 6-2 #91 Samantha Reeves USA d #145 Stephanie Gehrlein GER 6-3, 6-3 #100 Dally Randriantefy MAD d #120 Adriana Serra Zanetti ITA 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 Rome, Withdrawals #2 Kim Clijsters BEL left wrist

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