Article by Glyn James

Jelena Dokic has bid farewell to the 2002 season with a courageous effort against Serena Williams.  The American took the match 7-6 6-0 in what was a very encouraging performance from Jelena.

The players entered the 20,000 capactiy stadium with contrasting expressions.  Serena walked strongly with perhaps too much confidence, whilst Jelena looked focused and ready to take on the world's number one.  Jelena stormed out of the starting blocks in superb fashion.  She held serve with complete ease, and was putting constant pressure on Serena from the very beginning.  Serena seemed unable to cope with the powerful and deep shots that were being fired at her, and in her very first service game she was broken.  There was no reaction on Jelena's face, she knew there was still a long way to go.

Both players held serve for the next four games, and this gave Jelena a healthy first set lead of 4-2.  Serena knew she had to break Dokic, and soon, and this was the right time for the American.  The standard of Dokic's serve fell just a little, but this was all Serena needed, and she took the chance with both hands, breaking Dokic's serve to love.  The next game was paramount for both players.

Serena was serving at 4-3 down, and 30-30.  Jelena was looking good during the rally and was in control.  Suddenly, Serena hit a shot that looked to hit the net halfway up.  The ball rose a little, and due to the loose net of the indoor court, the ball hit the net and trickled over, leaving Jelena no chance.  Jelena was able to put this set-back behind her and won the following point.  Jelena was then presented with a break point, but, as if the whole world was against Jelena, Serena hit another let chord which left Jelena no chance.  There was no apology from Serena, just a sigh of relief, whilst Jelena smiled wryly at herself.  Serena went on to take the game.

Jelena, still without a double fault to her name, simply had to hold serve at 4-4, having lost the previous three games.  A stunning service game gave Jelena some much needed confidence, dropping only one point in the process.  At this point, Jelena had only dropped for points on her service game during the entire match, save from the game in which she was broken.  The games went with serve until both players were tied at 6-6.  It would take a tie break to decide the first set.

Despite the even scoreline, Jelena was playing the better tennis, and Serena knew that she would be chasing the match if it wasn't for two lucky net chords.  Jelena's serving remained consistent throughout, and her concentration levels were second to none.  With this in mind, there was an expectancy for a close tie break.  Unfortunately, Jelena dropped the first point and was now always going to be chasing Serena.  Serena stood well and held serve for her two points.  This gave Serena a 3-0 lead in the tie break.  Jelena dropped serve again, but scraped a point for the second service point.  Unfortunately, it was too little too late for Jelena.  At 4-1 down, Serena was never going to allow Jelena back into the set, and she continued to serve magnificently and took the tie break 7-1.

"I couldn't have asked for a better first set. I could have won it," Dokic said.

Serena had certainly found her rhythm by now and was playing her best tennis of the week by far.  To add to Jelena's problems, during a long rally, Jelena stumbled on her right ankle and started grimacing.  She was unable to put any weight on her foot, and so was all over the place for the remainder of the match.  She was quite entitled to retire, but, since she received a lot of crowd support, she continued to try to give the crowd their money's worth and kept battling on.  Her efforts were invain, and Serena ran up a quick 6-0 lead to take the match.

Serena began twirling around the court like something out of a cartoon.  Jelena sportingly shook hands with Serena and said something which made the both of them smile.

About the injury, Dokic said, "I was good enough to play a set or two, but against Serena you have to be 100%, I had trouble moving."

It was a fantastic 'good bye' to 2002, and a 'watch out' for 2003.  She hit some unbelievable volleys, and for a short while had Serena on the ropes.  Any questions over this girl's ability or motivation were certainly answered and I can honestly say she did herself and her fans proud.