Article by Gerhard Grundhammer

Conchita Martinez Preview

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 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 30 more tournaments in her outstanding carreer, but the last one was back in 2000, 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 seems to become a complete desaster for the now ranked 72.

She entered 15 tournaments and got sent home after round 2 at 13 of them! Only at Wimbledon and Amelia Island she managed to reach the third round, which doesnt make the year much better for the spanish no4.

Jelena faced Conchita 9 times in her young career. And though she was down 5-0 after five matches, she came back and can draw the series tomorrow. Jelena defeated her good friend 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 10mph less than Jelenas second serve, and probably one of the biggest reasons why Jelena is the favourite for tomorrows match.

Some people blame Jelena for her less variety in her game, and that she only powers her opponents away, but there are some players on the tour (and some means actually a f**king lot) who cant handle the power of the Yougoslavian and Conchita seems to be one of them. And since Jelena is apparently working to gain even more power into her game instead of a variety she should beat the right-handed spanish even more clearly then the last time.

My prediction: 6-2 and 6-2 (what else).