Mauresmo Takes Aim At Davenport
27 January 1999 (www.ausopen.org)

Six months ago, Lindsay Davenport was left scratching grass off her knees after being tripped up by Nathalie Tauziat in the quarterfinals of Wimbledon. But once she landed on her home turf in California the next week, Davenport went on a powerful roll that has taken on tsunami proportions, winning six titles and snaring the No. 1 ranking.

Going into Thursday's Australian Open semifinal against French jock extraordinare Amélie Mauresmo, the sunny 22-year-old has a lot to smile about - in her last 12 Grand Slam singles matches, she hasn't dropped a set.

After her resounding victory over Venus Williams in the quarterfinals, Davenport was supremely confident. "I feel good," she said. "I'm not hurting at all, which is great news. I feel refreshed."

The 19-year-old Mauresmo is hoping to take the pep out of Davenport and slowly grind her opponent down under the hot Melbourne sun. The sandy-haired, ponytailed blonde with Olympic swimmer shoulders and sprinter's speed has had an impressive run to the semis, knocking off seeds Patty Schnyder and Dominique Van Roost.

An admirer of French great Yannick Noah, Mauresmo brings an eclectic mix of shots to the court. With her powerful one-handed backhand, she throws in slice, topspin and sidespin. Her rolling topspin forehand is a bazooka and she can blast first serves in the 173 km/h range.

Mauresmo defeated Davenport the only time the two played, on clay last year in Berlin. "She's a very dangerous, talented player," Davenport said. "I watched her play her second set yesterday and she hit extremely hard and with a lot of variety. She's seems very focused and intense. It's going to be tough ... But this surface is a lot more favourable to my game than the heavy conditions in Berlin."

The French tigress isn't afraid of anyone, ranking or otherwise. "I used to be [intimidated by a star player's reputation], but not anymore," said Mauresmo. "What has changed is that I beat a few of them. I trust in myself a bit more."

The southern Californian is looking to cement her top dog status for a while longer and winning the title in Melbourne Park would go a long way in paving the route to another spectacular campaign. "I have a chance to get to my second Grand Slam final in a row," Davenport said. "I'm pretty psyched about it and I'm trying my hardest to see that happens."

Mauresmo is ready to rumble. "I beat her the last time so I think I have a chance," she said.