LITTLE MISS PERFECT

by Mr.Sweetness & Light (aka Todd Spiker)

**SARASOTA OPEN POINT BREAKDOWN**
95...Champion
10...1r: Conchita Martinez (#39)
10...2r: Anna Smashnova (#37)
10...QF: Patty Schnyder (#34)
4...SF: Virginie Razzano (#98)
23...F: Tatiana Panova (#25)
152...TOTAL
-33...points off
+119...TOTAL FOR WEEK
#8 SINGLES (3011 pts, up 1)
#10 DOUBLES (1782 pts, up 1)

As it turned out, it WAS a pretty good week to be Jelena Dokic.

It should be noted that things won't always be quite like this, not for a player who admitted in recent days to being a "perfectionist." But, then again, Sarasota was about as close to perfect as any event is likely to get.

Consider, Jelena came into what is essentially her hometown tournament (the inaugural WTA stop is but a hop, skip and a giant Damir jump from the family's residence in Tampa) as the #1 seed. Then, 2002's biggest Dokic antagonist, Anne Kremer (Jelena is 0-3 against her, but 9-0 in completed matches versus everyone else), withdrew before play had even begun. It was a good omen. In fact, it was as if the scales of tennis justice decided it was high time to tip back in a certain Yugoslav's favor.

With Kremer's absence secured, Jelena Dokic's world shifted back to normal... and then some.

The 2r 6-1,6-0 whitewash of Anna Smashnova completed Jelena's first back-to-back match winning streak since February 9. The SF injury-related retirement of Virginie Razzano was an odd form of closure/retribution for a player who's suffered through similar tribulations of her own of late. And the fourth career singles title was neary a foregone conclusion by the time Sunday rolled around. Jelena so made Sarasota her personal playground that she even walked away with the doubles crown, pulling off the rare two-fer for the first time in her career.

More important that the title itself, though, was the way Jelena attained it. It was impressive enough that she didn't drop a set the entire tournament (going 9-0 over 5 matches, with Razzano retiring up 1-0 in the 2nd set in the SF -- the second time she's done it, having gone 8-0 over 4 matches in Tokyo last year), but for the first time in what seems like ages her health was never an issue. She deemed herself 100% early on, and even spoke glowingly of being able to run down opponents' shots for the first time in months. This Tier IV crown might not be as prestigious as any of her three previous titles, but it would be difficult to rank any of those Tier I & II wins as having come at a more opportune time. After the travails of the recent past, it's appropriate to call this the most rejuvenating accomplishment of her young career. She not only weathered the storm of the first quarter of 2002, but she busted out of her confinement with the familiar Jelena fire-in-her-eyes drive none the worse for wear. In fact, the struggles might have made her even stronger.

Sarasota is the first title of 2002. Nice enough. But that it comes in the first event in which Jelena's been healthy since her Paris SF upset of Monica Seles answers a lot of questions. Early last week, Jelena talked of her recent frustration and the resulting importance of what would happen in Sarasota, saying, "I think it will make the difference for the rest of the year." Knowing now what occurred AFTER that statement, maybe it can be said that she's even more desirous to reach her goals after having been faced with the realization of just how precarious her participation at the highest levels of the sport can sometimes be.

As Jelena prepares to turn 19 on Friday, the question is: Has the promise of Paris finally been recaptured? In her own words, "My game is based on confidence more than anything." Certainly, it couldn't be at any higher level than it is now... unless, of course, she decides that taking Sarasota isn't quite enough and that she MUST plant another "Jelena Was Here" sign on the highest hill of another corner of Florida. Namely, the environs of the Amelia Island plantation.

The ingredients seem to be there, too, for another giant step forward. The confidence, momentum and draw are present in A.I. for something great to happen. Jelena showed last Autumn that when her game gets on a roll it can carry her to multiple finals (remember, she made 5 finals in 6 events at one point). It could happen again. Both Venus Williams (in her first clay event of the year) and defending champ Amelie Mauresmo (in her first tournament back since having work done on her knee, and already a Dokic clay victim once before) are in the top half of the draw, while Jelena's main competition in the bottom half (Justine Henin & Daniela Hantuchova) is not of the Top 5 variety. Could Jelena head into Charleston as the hottet player on tour, winner of two straight titles, so soon after finding her season seemingly lost in a crater of doubt? In a word, yes.

Mister Sweetness & Light was right on target last week, and the residue of his great optimism is still lingering in the air around here at the roving home office of jd.com (Pierre had everything tested by professionals, and the results were quite encouraging). In fact, Mister S&L has been said to be whispering similar thoughts as last week's all over again. He believes that Jelena's desire for "everything to be perfect" is, at least in the short term, absolutely managable.

Jelena's confidence is so overwhelming at the moment that it's almost dripping from her pores. Tatiana Panova even went so far as to mention after her final match throttling that "(Jelena's) really believing in herself" right now. That's not a good thing for whomever's on the other side of the net.

Mr.S&L firmly believes that Jelena's words about Sarasota's importance were downright prophetic, too, and that the Dokic Mid-Year Rocket Ride is about to take off. In a few weeks time, he hints, we may indeed look back and realize that Sarasota was where her 2002 season began to turn golden.

But, of course, he's Mister Sweetness & Light. What else CAN he say? Then again, he WAS right the last time, wasn't he?

**** **** **** **** ****

**THIS WEEK**

*Bausch & Lomb Championships, Apr.8-14*
*Amelia Island, Florida, USA*
*Tier II - Green Clay/Outdoor*
*#3 seed*
*1st match - 2r vs. Mary Pierce*
*POINTS TABLE*
W...220
RU...154
SF...99
QF...55
3r...29
2r...15
1r...1


**THE DRIVE FOR #5**

#4 Clijsters...leads by 410
#5 Davenport...leads by 339
#6 Seles...leads by 303
#7 S.Williams...leads by 260
#8 JELENA...3011
#9 Henin...trails by 20
#10 Mauresmo...trails by 360

*NOTES*
...Jelena's fourth career singles title this weekend moved her past Henin and back to #8 in the world. She's only defending 3r A.I. '01 points, so there's a good chance she can significantly close the points gap on as high a player as #4 Clijsters if she can advance as far as the SF. Clijsters, Seles and Davenport are all out of action this week.
...It's a good assumption that Jelena won't be skipping the Tier I in Charleston next week, especially with her scheduled mini-break (due to Fed Cup play being the only women's action) coming up the following week. She lost in the 1r there last year, so it would be another opportunity to rack up some nice points and set herself up for good seeding in the European stops leading up to her title defense in Rome (Jelena was just the #14-seed when she won there last year).


*DOUBLES - JELENA'S A DOUBLE TOP 10-er*

#8 Sanchez Vicario...leads by 96
#9 Tauziat...leads by 82
#10 JELENA...1781
#11 Hingis...trails by 41
#12 C.Martinez...trails by 67
#13 Kournikova...trails by 187
#14 Hantuchova...trails by 281

*NOTES*
...Jelena's second career doubles title propelled her past Hingis and back into the Doubles Top 10, once again making her the only player who can boast of such a standing in both disciplines. It should be noted, too, that since retired Tauziat will eventually fall completely out of the rankings, Jelena for all intents and purposes is really #9.

**** **** **** ****

**JELENA'S CAREER TITLES**

SINGLES
2001 Hong Kong (ex.) - def. Kournikova
2001 Rome (I) - def. Mauresmo
2001 Tokyo PC (II) - d. Sanchez Vicario
2001 Moscow (I) - def. Dementieva
2002 Sarasota (IV) - def. Panova
DOUBLES
2001 Hong Kong (ex) - w/ Barabanschikova
2001 Linz (II) - w/ Petrova
2002 Sarasota (IV) - w/ Likhovtseva
TEAM
1999 Hopman Cup (ITF) - w/ Philippoussis


**FINALS IN BOTH SINGLES & DOUBLES**
Oct.28, 2001
Generali Open; Linz
Singles...lost to Lindsay Davenport
Doubles...won with Nadia Petrova

April 7, 2002
Sarasota Open; Sarasota
Singles...def. Tatiana Panova
Doubles...won with Elena Likhovtseva


**JELENA TITLES - BY SURFACE**

HARD
1999 Hopman Cup (ITF Team Event)
2001 Hong Kong singles (exhibition)
2001 Hong Kong doubles (exhibition)
2001 Tokyo PC singles (Tier II)
CLAY
2001 Rome singles (Tier I)
2002 Sarasota singles (Tier IV)
2002 Sarasota doubles (Tier IV)
CARPET
2001 Moscow singles (Tier I)
2001 Linz doubles (Tier II)
GRASS
-none-


**2002 Monthly Record**
January...0-1
February...3-2
March...2-2
April...5-0
TOTAL: 10-5


**2002 Match Breakdowns**
3-0...3-setters
0-0...tie-breaks
1-2...retirements/walkovers
2-3...down 0-1 sets
8-1...up 1-0 sets


**JELENA CAREER-BEST WINNING STREAKS**
8...May/June 2001 (Rome-W,Roland Garros)
8...October 2001 (Moscow-W,Zurich)
[current streak: 5 matches]


***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****

WTA REPORT

*TOP 20 SINGLES*
1.Jennifer Capriati...4803
2.Venus Williams...4385
3.Martina Hingis...3730
4.Kim Clijsters...3421
5.Lindsay Davenport...3350
6.Monica Seles...3314
7.Serena Williams...3271
8.JELENA DOKIC...3011
9.Justine Henin...2991
10.Amelie Mauresmo...2651
11.Sandrine Testud...2079
12.Meghannn Shaughnessy...1763
13.Silvia Farina Elia...1747
14.Arantxa Sanchez Vicario...1507
15.Daniela Hantuchova...1428
16.Elena Dementieva...1425
17.Nathalie Tauziat...1412
18.Amanda Coetzer...1378
19.Maggie Maleeva...1221
20.Iroda Tulyaganova...1206


WEEK 14 RECAP

SARASOTA FINALS
S: Jelena Dokic def. Tatiana Panova
D: Dokic/Likhovtseva d. Callens/C.Martinez

PORTO FINALS
S: Angeles Montolio def. Magui Serna
D: Black/Selyutina d. Boogert/Serna


PLAYER AWARDS

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Jelena Dokic
...Jelena didn't lose a set in 5 singles matches, yet went to 3 sets in all 4 of her doubles contests. No matter, she won both titles (a career first) and regained the confidence last glimpsed two months ago in Paris. You'll notice, too, that nearly all this week's awards have a certain fittingly-Jelena flavor.

RISER: Tatiana Panova
...Sarasota was Panova's second straight good tourney result, but as Jelena could have told her, the seemingly defeatist attitude that was all over her pre-match comments made it next to impossible for her to win on Sunday.

SURPRISE: Virginie Razzano
...Razzano lost to Anna Smashnova in qualifying, but became a "lucky loser" when she entered the main draw anyway when another player withdrew. She made the most of her break, knocking off Dechy, Ruano-Pascual and Suarez and reaching the SF before retiring with an elbow injury down a set to Jelena. By the way, Jelena ended up beating Smashnova in Sarasota, too.

VETERAN: Mary Pierce
...she knocked off Sugiyama without injuring herself, then went to a 3rd set TB in a 2r loss to Anastasia Myskina and was able to walk (not limp) away when it was over. Small steps, Mary.

NEW FACE: Zsofia Gubacsi
...she ousted Pisnik, Talaja & Black on her way to the Porto SF. Not exactly a murderer's row there, but still impressive.

DOWNER: Arantxa Sanchez Vicario & Conchita Martinez
...the two Spaniards used to play to the final Sunday, but they both lost in the 1r in Sarasota (ASV to Husarova, and Martinez to Jelena). At least Conchita made the doubles final... where she lost to Jelena again. No hard feelings, though, as JD & CM will team up in doubles again in Amelia Island.

*MATCHES*
1a.Sarasota Final - Dokic d. Panova
...6-2,6-2, the only fitting end of a perfect week.

1b.Sarasota 1r - Dokic d. C.Martinez
...the win that started it all, and a nice comeback from 1-3 in the 1st set and 3-5 in the 2nd. After losing 10 straights sets to CM and holding an 0-5 mark against her, Jelena has taken 4 consecutive sets and is 2-0 since.

1c.Sarasota 2r - Dokic d. Smashnova
...6-1,6-0 and a symbol of the push for perfection. Jelena won 17 of the final 22 points.

2.Sarasota 1r - Pierce d. Sugiyama
...and didn't keel over afterward.

3.Sarasota QF - Razzano d. Suarez
...#98 (and lucky loser) Razzano advanced to the SF.

4.Sarasota SF - Panova d. Shaughnessy
...Shaughnessy held 4 sets points in the 1st and was up 3-1 in the 2nd, but Panova took the match in straights.

5.Porto 1r - Kuznetsova d. Beigbeder
...the talented Junior champ begins to make her move at the next level..


*QUOTES*
--Jelena, after the 6-1,6-0 smashing of Smashnova: "If I was going to win the match it was going to be me, and if I was going to lose the match it was going to be me."

--Jelena, on the importance of Sarasota: "I think it will make the difference for the rest of the year."

--Jelena: "I want everything... to be perfect. I'm a perfectionist."

---Richard Williams: "If it was up to me, I told Venus two or three years ago that she should retire. I really think she should."

--Richard Williams: "I think Serena puts too much emphasis on her game. And if she keeps that up, she can turn out to be one of the dumbest athletes in the world."
...Gee. Thanks, dad.


WEEK 15 -- April 8-14

PREDICTIONS

AMELIA ISLAND, FLA. - GREEN CLAY OUTDOOR

SF
Mauresmo def. Venus
Dokic def. Henin
...Venus might be ripe for an upset in her first clay event of the year, but this is also Mauresmo's return to action (and she's A.I.'s defending champ). Jelena and Waffle #2 have to meet sometime, but something always seems to happen to prevent it. The same might occur here, with Henin having to get through both Marrero and Hantuchova to get this far.

FINAL
Dokic def. Mauresmo
...with Venus it might be a different story, but Jelena is on a roll and knows from Rome '01 that she can take Mauresmo on clay. A Mister Sweetness & Light special.


ESTORIL, PORTUGAL - RED CLAY OUTDOOR

SF
Montolio def. Matevic
Serna def. Torrens-Valero
FINAL
Serna def .Montolio
...same finalists as Porto, different winner.


**** **** **** ****

**WTA LISTS**

*YOUNGEST 2002 CHAMPIONS*
18 yrs, 47 wks - Hantuchova (Ind.Wells)
18 yrs, 51 wks - Dokic (Sarasota)


**** **** **** **** **** **** ****

**TDS RANKINGS**
1.Martina Hingis...101
2.Venus Williams...85
3.Jennifer Capriati...85
4.Monica Seles...85
5.Serena Williams...55
6.Amelie Mauresmo...40
7.Anna Smashnova...40
8.Daniela Hantuchova...38
9.Lisa Raymond...34
10.JELENA DOKIC...33.5