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| Serena Williams argues a point with the umpire
during the third set of her US Open quarterfinal match against compatriot Jennifer Capriati
in New York, September 7,
2004. (Reuters) |
Jennifer Capriati won a titanic struggle with old
foe Serena Williams to reach the semi-finals of the US Open, going through
2-6 6-4 6-4 on Tuesday after
one of the most dramatic battles in the tournament's history.
In a match punctuated by a shocking umpiring mistake against third seed Williams
in the first game of the deciding
set, Capriati rallied from a set down to advance to the
last four for the third time in four years.
After the first two sets were shared under the lights on Arthur Ashe
Court, a Williams backhand at deuce in the opening game of the third was
correctly called good, only for umpire Mariana Alves to wrongly call
"advantage Capriati".
A furious Williams, champion in 1999 and 2002, argued against the call
but to no avail as her fellow
American went on to break to lead 1-0, only for Williams to break back for
1-1.
However, eighth seed Capriati, mixing her game up well and keeping
Williams off balance, broke again for 2-1 and held her nerve under intense
pressure to clinch victory on her third match point.
Capriati, who 10 times was two points from victory over eventual
champion Justine Henin-Hardenne in the semi-finals last year, will take on
sixth seed Elena Dementieva for a place in the final after the Russian
ended the title hopes of second seed Amelie Mauresmo 4-6 6-4 7-6.
(Agencies) | 
Updated: 2004-09-08 09:33