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Clijsters departs as Davenport reaches semis
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-10-08 10:31
"She was very aggressive and mixing it up well. I don't think I played my
best tennis but I think my body was not ready for today. I was getting tired and
I think the rest I'm getting now is coming at the perfect time," added
Clijsters.
Dementieva's ability to out-rally Clijsters meant even her vulnerable serve
was not a liability despite 12 double faults.
Clijsters might have avoided defeat if she had not been broken for 2-1 in the
final set after holding two game points.
Another break for 4-1, when Clijsters again netted a backhand, virtually
settled the match although Dementieva double-faulted to drop her serve in the
next game.
"This is the best match of my life. It's the kind of match I will always
remember," said Dementieva. "I'm so excited the way I was playing the whole
match and the way I was able to handle the very important moments.
"I did everything well. If you want to beat Kim you have to play 100 percent
of your game. I was very aggressive, my serve finally was there, so I think my
whole game was very solid.
"This match really gives me a lot of confidence for the future. I'm just a
little worried that I'm going to be fresh enough for my semi-final..."
POSITIVE START
Davenport made a positive start in her quarter-final, breaking Myskina in the
opening game when the 2004 French Open champion netted a backhand.
With the American's groundstrokes doing their usual damage and her big serve
keeping the Russian under pressure, Davenport broke again with an overhead smash
to lead 4-1 and surrendered just four points on serve in the entire set.
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