It's probably only right that the way Russian women have been dominating the women's tennis circuit that they would feature prominently at the French Open. The had twelve women in the first round, three in the quarterfinals and there are two in the semifinals - Anastasia Myskina and Elena Dementieva. Earlier this year Russia became only the third nation to have three or more women in the world's top ten, joining the USA and France with that statistic. Myskina advanced to the semifinals of a Slam for the first time when she defeated Venus Williams 63 64 while Dementieva probably made herself the most unpopular player in France when she defeated Amelie Mauresmo by the identical score. Myskina had never beaten Venus before, they had played twice. She said she fought very hard and was determined to walk off Court Suzanne Lenglen as a winner. Myskina felt that Venus was not at her best level and went into the match confident that she could beat her. Normally Venus would be spraying winners across the court, this time she was struggling with unforced errors, and with that Myskina just kept the ball in play and waited. "I'm really, really happy but you know it's not the end of the tournament so I have to keep going," said Myskina, who had never gone past the second round in four previous outings at Roland Garros. "My dream was to win the first round here. "In Australia (quarterfinals) I lost to Kim (Clijsters) just because I was kind of not ready to win the match. Today I was really ready to win and I knew that I could do it. I just was fighting, fighting every point." The Russian is of the opinion that the mystique that surrounded the Williams sisters is not so strong anymore and the other women players walk on court not feeling so intimidated. The sisters had been off the tour for so long because of injuries and throughout that time the other players had been working and playing matches. "They lost a lot of months," said Myskina. "Now of course everybody believe at least they can fight with them. It's something we can do right now." Dementieva meanwhile was the major underdog against Amelie Mauresmo. Not that many really have a major chance but she proved them all wrong. She played with no pressure. She went on court and gave it all she had, playing the ball deep and aggressively. "I was very positive and calm during the match," said Dementieva. "Last time I was in the semifinals was four years ago, so it was a long time ago. I wasn't ready and I couldn't handle the pressure. I didn't know what to do. "Now I have more experience and I did everything right before this tournament. It's a good result and I will never forget this, first time playing on the centre court against Amelie, and I won it. But I feel like it's not the best I can do." Mauresmo admitted to feeling the pressure and the hopes of France riding on her shoulders. She said: "Dementieva played well. I had ups and downs. I think I still have work to do. I think I have been successful at other tournaments because there are not in France like this. It is still difficult for me and there's a lot of frustration. I'm disappointed." Jennifer Capriati is hoping that history repeats itself in Paris. In 2001 when she won the title she beat Serena Williams in the quarterfinal as well. Capriati was jumping for joy when Serena's forehand went into the net on match point for the 63 26 63 result. She was almost as though she had won the tournament. "I'm just so happy and so relieved," said Capriati. "I looked up at my parents there and I was just like 'finally , it's about time one of these went my way for once'. I felt like I really earned it. I had to earn it I feel like I really played better out there and just deserved the win." The match ended with a questionable call. Capriati hit the ball deep and she thought it landed on the line and Serena missed it, but in fact the ball was called long. The crowd started booing but the chair umpire called for the point to be replayed and then Serena returned it into the net. Conditions for the match were difficult. The day's schedule had already been delayed by an hour because of rain and for most of the day it was stop, start tennis because of the weather. The court and balls were heavy which slowed things down. "It's tough, the different tension on the racquets but I wouldn't say it was like one of the worst conditions," she said. "I mean, it's still not as bad as like sometimes going on and off the court like Wimbledon, or being so hot." Her attention will now be on Myskina. Capriati says it not that surprising to not have the Williams sisters always there anymore. Tennis fans will now have to wait till Wimbledon to see the return of an all-Williams match. It was at the All England Club that the sisters last played one another ... that was the final. In the men's, Guillermo Coria continues to light up the clay courts. He is yet to drop a set at this French open and for the second year running got to the semis. The Argentine defeated former titleholder Carlos Moya 75 76 63. He will take on Tim Henman who has shocked everyone by serving and volleying his way to the semis. Henman defeated Juan Ignacio Chela 62 64 64, to become the first British man through to the semifinals here for 41 years. Mike Sangster, a big server from Torquay, was the man who last achieved this feat, but Henman has done so not only with impressive serving but an attacking all-court game. Both Henman and Chela looked shocked at the end of the match, a fitting end to a rather surprising day. -- ---禪心已作沾泥絮，莫向春風舞鷓鴣--- --

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