Article by Todd Spiker

August 5, 2002

**JELENA CORNER**

by Todd Spiker
 

Maybe what we're witnessing is an upgrade.  Jelena Version 2.0, if you will.  Everyone knew Jelena COULD defeat Jennifer Capriati, but did we -- in our heart of hearts -- REALLY expect to see it happen this past week?

Call me a cynic, but I certainly didn't... and certainly would never have imagined it becoming a reality after Jelena dropped the opening set against the American and world #3.
 

Maybe it was the #5 ranking that did it.  All Jelena's ever seemed to need to make significant leaps in results was a little boost in confidence.  Wimbledon surely didn't provide it this year, so maybe it was that computer the WTA uses to compute those oft-debated rankings every week that put her over the top.  Seeing her be able to carry out one of her confident rolls over and through a true, in-form top player is more than encouraging, it's a true breakthrough.  It really hasn't happened during the span of three years since Jelena introduced herself to many of us in June 1999 at Wimbledon.  Some might argue the Rome 2001 win over the then-surging Amelie Mauresmo would qualify... but Mauresmo hit the wall of exhaustion in the middle of their Final match and didn't really significantly resurface until earlier this season.

There's no disputing the value of this Capriati win.  It IS Jelena's best yet... she said so herself.  As great as it was, though, it will be even more interesting to see what comes next.