Mauresmo Mourns Her Loss Thursday, July 1, 2004 The disappointment was still etched on her face. For Amelie Mauresmo, the loss to Serena Williams in the semi-finals of The Championships produced mixed emotions, whilst her fans and those neutrals who would have liked to have seen the underdog go through into the title match greeted it with dismay. For Mauresmo, a win would have resulted in her first Grand Slam final since the Australian Open in 1999, an omission she is desperately keen to rectify. “I would love to reach a final again like five years ago. I’m getting closer and closer but it takes more time for me that for other players,” she said despondently. “That is just the way it is and I have to accept to it." She is also the first to admit that it was indeed a frustrating day but she was determined to find some positives as she believes her game is on the up. “Its one of the best matches we’ve played together,” said the French number one. “I enjoyed playing it and I felt comfortable – I felt good on the court and I was reading the game pretty well. “Yes, it was a great match, the only bad thing for me is that I lost again,” she added wryly. When asked to make a comparison with her loss to Serena at the quarter-final stage in Paris last month, she replied: “There is no comparison. In Paris I didn’t play my game – I didn’t give a hundred percent. I was too tense and I wasn’t able to give it my all. “Here I’ve been playing some great tennis. Of course there is the frustration of not getting through this one; that is the difference, that’s the disappointment.” Mauresmo continued: “It’s never easy to lose, but I guess it shows my game is really up there compared to a couple of years ago when I lost to Serena, I think two and one or something. I have improved a lot and I’m going to get there.” There is still a question which many pundits believe has yet to be answered, namely, has she the mental strength to carry her to a major title? She certainly believes she has. “I don’t think it is mental. I played the game I planned to day and it worked well, but not enough – just not enough.” Mauresmo has been dogged by a back injury during the latter part of her career, and even today, was forced to receive attention during the third set. That was not provided as an excuse, but it must have been a contributing factor for she admitted that it was painful during her service action. “Maybe it would have been the same result if my back had been good,” she asserted. “It might have made things a bit easier for Serena.” Whilst Mauresmo was clearly disappointed at the result, she was pleased that her match had provided a spectacle for the fans, and been part of a day which had seen the women’s game at its best. “When you look at today’s matches, it’s been an emotional day and very exciting to watch,” adding that it must have been great to see players fully fit and able to perform at their best level. But for Mauresmo it’s back to the drawing board: “I have to go forward and keep working,” she said and with that, she hopes that the next time she faces Serena over a net, she won’t let her off the hook. Written by Henry Wancke --

※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc) ◆ From: 140.112.234.152 ※ 編輯: MattBellamy 來自: 140.112.234.152 (07/03 02:35)