At age 15, Conchita Martinez met a strong willed Dutchman named Eric Van Harpen who brought her to a tennis academy in Switzerland to train. It was there that she suffered, matured, strengthened, and saw her tennis skills
blossom. By the end of 1989 during a solid rookie year, Conchita rocketed to the Top Ten, where she spent most of her career, until a new generation of players, like Dokic, Henin, Hingis and Clijsters and Hantuchova took that
spots.

Though the 170 meters tall girl dreamed of glory on the red clay of Roland Garros, Conchitas shining moment came on the grass of Wimbledon where she became the first Spanish woman ever to win a Wimbledon Singles title. Beside that Grand Slam title, she had won 31 more tournaments in her outstanding carreer, but the last one was back in 2000, at the German Open in Berlin.

But then, it looks like Martinez missed a good opportunity to finish her career. Whilst she had at least a few good results in 2001 (Wimbledon Quarterfinal - lost to Henin, Rome Semifinal - lost to a goddess, Berlin Quarterfinal - lost to Capriati, Charleston & Sydney Semifinal - lost both to Hingis), 2002 was even worse for the current no 26 of the world. Her best results should be reaching the final of Bali and the semis of Zürich, where she beat Capriati in round 2. Her only win over a top10 player in the whole year.

Jelena faced Conchita 10 times in her career. And though she was down 5-0 after five matches, she came back and drew the series! Jelena defeated her good friend and former doubles-partner, for the first time in Rome in 2001 6-3 and 6-2, which is, by the way (6-2 i mean) her favourite score to beat the girl from Barcelona. Next was Sarrasota, Jelena won 6-2 (!) and 7-5 and the series were 5-2. Then came Hamburg and Conchita was only leading 5-3 anymore. The score there was 3-6 6-2 (!) and 6-2 (!). Jelena had then the chance to come close to 5-4 at the second round of Rolland Garros, and she did.

3-6, 7-6 and (of course) 6-2. Jelena served 2 aces at that match and had only 11 double foults (Martinez 0 and 3), she hit amazing 43 winners whilst her opponent only managed to get the ball 10 times past Jelena. In that match, as well as at Wimbledon Martinez served with an average speed of only 75 mph (!) and thats her first serve! Thats 13mph less than Jelenas second serve, and probably one of the biggest reasons why Jelena is the favourite for tomorrows match.

Their last meeting happened in Stanford last year where Jelena lost the first set 6-1, but then only gave one more game away, to demolish Conchita 6-0 and 6-1 to draw the series. A scoreline which shows how great Jelena convidence was only 9 months ago. A scoreline what we certainly cant expect for tomorrow.

But can we expect any score? I think we cant :-( Everything is possible with Jelena these days, and so i rather have a guess for tomorrows match, than a prediction:

My guess: 6-2 and 6-2, if she does not get confronted with any of Damirs comments before the match, a desaster if she does....