Alexandra Fusai News

Alexandra Fusai 2000 News
Tuesday 9/12/00
Alexandra is in Bordeaux, France this week - near her home.
(Bordeaux is also, in my opinion, where the world's greatest wines originate.)
Alexandra's wonderful esprit was enjoyed by the crowd yesterday, when Alexandra Fusai defeated Virginie Razzano 5-7, 6-3, 6-4. YEA!
Next is vs. Bianka Lamade. This is another opportunity for Alexandra to score another impressive victory. So do it, Alexandra! WIN AGAIN!
Alexandra is teaming with Amelie Cocheteux in doubles, and they are appropriately seeded #1.
First round is vs. Ludmila Cervanova/Anna Zarska. Both are energetic and serious players, ranked near Alexandra in singles, and both advanced to 2nd round singles. Even so, they are probably not at the level of Fusai/Cocheteux (or Fusai/anyone) in doubles. Take this match seriously (and HAVE FUN!), Alexandra and Amelie, and JUST WIN IT!
Being seeded #1 is a mixed blessing. It brings proper respect (and some fear), but at the start of every match, #1's walk out there with a big target on them. You've done this many times before, though, Alexandra, and done very well. Remember that!
So now win all these singles and doubles, get yourself a nice bottle of Margaux, and send me the bill, OK? I think '55 and '61 were good years.....
Welcome home, Alexandra!
Friday 9/15/00
Fusai/Cocheteaux defeated Cervanova/Zarska in 1st round doubles in Bordeaux: 7-5, 6-3. YEA! And impressive!
But then Bianka Lamade ousted Alexandra in 2nd round singles: 6-4, 7-6. I bet Alexandra would have won a 3rd set! Lamade lucked out! Oh well... Whatever...
And then Fusai/Cocheteaux were outlasted by Virginie Razzano/Melanie Schnell in 2nd round doubles: 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. Oh well... A bit of revenge for Razanno, perhaps?
So Bordeaux was not fine wine for Alexandra this year, but not sour grapes either: 2 wins and 2 losses is, well, a wash.
And these were probably exciting, interesting, and entertaining matches for the crowd, and hopefully much FUN for the players.
So now maybe take a week off, Alexandra, and meet up with Nathalie in Luxembourg? You've had a long and tough and busy year this year - maybe a week off is not a bad idea.....
There's still plenty of 2000 left to make this a very good year, including, maybe, Chase Doubles again.
So just take care, Alexandra, and know that, for very many people, in very many ways, YOU ARE THE GREATEST!
Sunday 9/24/00
Alexandra is doing some very good things at the Seat Open in Lovely Little Luxembourg!
In 1st round qualifying, Alexandra faced talented, tough, and "dangerous" Selina Sfar, ranked #173.
Alexandra showed "who's boss", clearly, with a 6-4, 6-4 win. YEA!
In the 2nd round qualifying, Alexandra faced the very tough fighter Laurence Courtois, ranked #123.
This provided Alexandra with the opportunity to demonstrate that there is no tougher fighter than Alexandra - Alexandra won 3-6, 6-4, 6-0! YEA! WOW!
Next, for a main-draw slot, Alexandra is vs. Angelika Bachmann. Bachmann, ranked #144, aged 21, is playing the best tennis of her life lately, while Alexandra, ranked #159, is down in rank 100+ since a year and a half ago. And Alexandra is very old: 26.
Yeah, right..... Of course, 26 is not "old" - it is "nearing peak" (Nathalie demonstrates that 31 is still "nearing peak") - and 21 is "inexperienced - young". Alexandra has played at a 30's ranked level, and can, and can play at a level above that.
My prediction, and expectation, is that Alexandra will give the crowd a good match (she lives for that, it seems, and I have no problem with that, to put it mildly), but Bachmann will clearly see that Alexandra is the much better player.
Win again, Alexandra! Main Draw again!
Meanwhile, Fusai/Tauziat are seeded #1 (Nathalie is seeded #1 in singles). 1st round is FT vs. Barbara Rittner/Patty Schnyder. Rittner and Schnyder can both play good stuff - but at the FT doubles level? I DON'T THINK SO!
Win, FT, WIN!
Most important of all, though, Alexandra, is this: be good, do good, take care, and HAVE FUN!
Tuesday 9/26/00
Alexandra continues to do amazing and wonderful and GOOD things in Lux-land!
To get to the main draw, Alexandra gave the crowd a match with awesome suspense and drama, then a demonstration of tremendous power and domination. (OK, I'm guessing, based only on the score). To wit: in 3rd round qualifying Alexandra defeated Angelika Bachmann (ranked #144): 7-6(9-7), 6-0. YEA! On to the Main Draw! YEA!
Alexandra initially was set to play Sarah Pitkowski (ranked #49) in 1st round, but Pitkowski was replaced (for some reason) by Amelie Cocheteux (ranked #132, qualifying seed #8 (Alexandra was unseeded in qualifying) as a "lucky loser"). Alexandra again displayed and demonstrated that incredible Fusai fire and spirit with another victory (4 in a row!): 4-6, 6-0, 6-4. YEA!
Very well done, Alexandra!
For 2nd round now it is Alexandra vs. Patty Schnyder, seeded #4 and ranked #25. So: this looks like a tough match for Alexandra, and is obviously an important one, but I really think Alexandra can win this. I have seen Schnyder play, and she plays well, but Alexandra can win this by not going "serve-happy" and keeping those double-faults down.
This looks to me like a match of equals (except, I feel, Alexandra is the "more equal"). Alexandra's 1st serve is a huge weapon, but that 2nd serve can be equally huge, 'cause Alexandra can win long points like the very best.
When Alexandra wins this match some will see it as a huge upset - for me it will only be Alexandra playing her very smart game and living in her incredible spirit yet again (like 5 in a row); I will not be surprised.
My personal take on this situation is that winning for Alexandra is a good thing, ok, a very good thing, in my opinion - but even more important is this: take care, be good, do good, and HAVE FUN!
Win again, Alexandra!
Meanwhile, Fusai/Tauziat are seeded #1. 1st round is FT vs. Barbara Rittner/Patty Schnyder (again!). Rittner and Schnyder can both play good stuff - but at the FT doubles level? I DON'T THINK SO!
A good FT run this week could be important for the Chase Doubles rankings. I suspect F&T both are very aware of that. Meanwhile, every oppo team in every match will be shooting to upset the #1 seed.
You gals, F&T, are properly seeded #1 - you are to be the Doubles winners at this tourney. This will be another Doubles title for FT.
But 1st beat Rittner/Schnyder. Win, FT, WIN! Then win some more!
Meanwhile: most important is this, again: take care, be good, do good, and HAVE FUN!
Sunday 10/1/00
Well, after 4 wins in Luxembourg (3 in qualifying, 1 in main-draw) Alexandra took the loss vs. #25 ranked (#4 seed) Patty Schnyder: 6-1, 6-1. Oh well.... But I bet it was a closer match than the score indicates!
And it is clearly a FACT that Alexandra had a very good Singles run in Luxembourg, with exciting, crowd-pleasing matches - and clear evidence that Alexandra is again playing Singles very well, again! Well done, pretty AF!
Then it was on to Doubles, with Fusai/Tauziat seeded #1 and everyone gunning for the "favorites". Uh-oh....
Alexandra had a chance at revenge as FT faced Barbara Rittner/Patty Schnyder in 1st round. Revenge was sure and swift (and probably sweet): FT won 6-2, 6-1. YEA!
In the 2nd round (quarterfinals) it was FT vs. Claudine Schaul/Magdalena Zdenovcova. Again, the victory went to FT, impressively: 6-1, 6-4. YEA! YEA!
The semi's found FT facing Erika DeLone/Jelena Kostanic. FT won again, powerfully: 6-1, 6-2. YEA! YEA! YEA!
So: Finals time. Only 2 teams remained: Fusai/Tauziat and Lubomira Bacheva/Cristina Torrens-Valero. FT took the 1st set handily: 6-3. Then maybe BT rallied, or FT wanted to give the crowd a thrill, or FT were just having TONS OF FUN - anyway, the 2nd set went to 6-6 to force a tiebreak - not a very exciting tiebreak, though - FT took the Title: 6-3, 7-6(7-0). YEA! YEA! YEA! YEA!
Way to go, FT! Four wins, no losses! You are a powerful and wonderful and beautiful pair!
Next for Alexandra is probably the Porsche Grand Prix in Filderstadt, Germany, Europe - main draw starts tomorrow. Alexandra may be shut out of singles, because she obviously missed qualifying, but FT would clearly be a seeded team (if they are both there), although maybe not seeded #1. Actually, I think seeded #1 is a mixed blessing, at best.
Alexandra: wherever you are, whatever you do, forever, please: be good, do good, take care, and HAVE FUN!
Thursday 10/5/00
As suspected, Alexandra is this week in Filderstadt, Germany, Europe, playing doubles only, with Nathalie.
The 1st round was vs. Chanda Rubin/Magui Serna and the result was another FT win: 6-3, 7-5. YEA!
This is an impressive win 'cause both Rubin and Serna are good players - meanwhile, FT is a VERY good doubles team. Another impressive win FT - well done!
Fusai/Tauziat is seeded #2, with Hingis/Kournikova seeded #1. I like that. I think FT can beat HK in the final, if need be.
Before that, though, is 2nd round, which is (probably) FT vs. Ruxandra Dragomir/Silvia Farina. Dragomir and Farina are also good players, maybe better than Rubin and Serna - especially in the context of doubles. This looks to me like a real match for FT (Drag is like Dokic - very, very tough or give up, Farina is a bit like that, but also crafty). FT is the better team, of course, but some smartness and cleverness will likely have to be a part of this victory.
This FT vs. Dragomir/Farina match is what FUN is all about! The team which has the most FUN will win!
And Alexandra will of course be good, do good, and take care, without my asking her to do so.
And HAVE FUN!
Sunday 10/8/00
Well, Alexandra did some more good things in Filderstadt, but they didn't win it all.
In 2nd round (Quarterfinals) it was FT vs. Dragomir/Farina and FT won this handily: 7-5, 6-3. YEA!
In the Semi's it was FT vs. Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario/Barbara Schett (seeded #4). Arantxa is obviously a very good player, and can play doubles well, too, and Schett is a player, and a past problem, unfortunately, for Alexandra. (I predict that Alexandra will beat Schett, in singles, within the next year - and that will reverse that little drama completely.)
Anyway, in the FT (seeded #2) vs. Arantxa/Schett (seeded#4) match, FT took the 1st set 6-3 - but then AS took the next 2 sets 6-3, 6-1. Oh well.....
In good news: it now looks like FT are ranked #7 (8 qualify) for the Chase thing (which is a bit of a hokey thing, in my opinion, but good to be in, I suppose).
It seems that Alexandra is not playing doubles with Nathalie in Zurich this coming week.
So, wherever you are today, Alexandra, please: be good, do good, and take care, ok?
And HAVE FUN!
Saturday 10/14/00
Alexandra may be playing at an ITF $75,000 event in Poitiers, France, this week. If so, then: GO, GAL, GO!
Or Alexandra may be anticipating playing doubles with Nathalie in Linz next week. (And perhaps Alexandra is playing qualifying there today! And winning! YEA!)
Or Alexandra could even be playing qualifying in Shanghai today (and winning! YEA!)
Well, whatever - at least I hope Alexandra is happy and fun-having these days. That's all I really hope......
Tuesday 10/17/00
Due to "technical difficulties", I don't have any information to post tonight about Fusai/Tauziat at Linz (which may be happening), nor do I have rankings, singles and doubles, for Alexandra for this week (both of which may have likely improved). Oh well....
However, I do have some news to report which I received from an Alexandra Fusai fan in France.
This fan ("Morel"?) reports that Alexandra did play Poitiers last week, in the Main Draw, and won 1st round singles vs. Stephanie Foretz nicely: 6-2, 6-0. YEA!
Then (I'm told), Alexandra defeated Lubomira Bacheva in 2nd round (unknown score). YEA!
But then, unfortunately, Alexandra apparently lost the 3rd round to Tatiana Poutchek in a clearly dramatic match: 5-7, 7-5, 6-2. Oh well....
That's a good show for the crowd, Alexandra, and a good Singles run in Poitiers! Two wins, one loss - that's OK, Alexandra!
In Doubles, I'm told that Alexandra teamed with Amelie Cocheteux and they won 1st round! YEA!
Then, apparently, Fusai/Cocheteux lost in 2nd round (the identities of the opponents for these 2 doubles matches is unknown to me at this time). Oh well....
Well, whatever - at least I hope Alexandra is happy and fun-having these days. That's all I really hope......
Tuesday 10/24/00
Due to continuing "technical difficulties", I still don't have current rankings, singles and doubles, for Alexandra for this week (both of which may have likely improved, again). Oh well....
However, I do have some news to report, most of which is quite good!
First: the score of the 2nd round Alexandra victory, at Poitiers, over Bacheva was 6-4, 6-4. Nice!
Then: Alexandra skipped Linz to go to Moscow Qualifying where it was Fusai vs. A. Barna in the 1st Round (it is unclear to me at this time if it was Anca or Adriana).
Alexandra (and Barna) gave the Moscow crowd a magnificent show in this match (or so I've been told). With Barna serving first, both held serve in the first 5 games, then Alexandra was broken to go down 2-4. Then Alexandra broke right back to put the set back on serve and both held to a tie-break. In the tie-break, Alexandra took a 2-1 lead, then got to 3-3, but the set went to Barna 7-6(7-3). Oh well....
In the 2nd set, Alexandra served 1st, and was broken, but then broke back to put the set back on serve. Three holds followed, then Alexandra broke again, and 3 more holds gave the 2nd set to Alexandra: 6-3. YEA!
Details of the 3rd set are unknown to me at this time, except it went to another tie-break, and was eventually won by Barna: 7-6(7-2). Oh well...
Even so, it was a good "workout" for Alexandra, and a good show for the crowd. Of course, I also hope it was FUN for everyone!
Meanwhile, Fusai/Tauziat are seeded #4 and played 1st round today. This was an impressive and powerful victory for FT over the team of Silvia Farina-Elia/Tina Krizan: 6-1, 6-3. This was probably not an "easy" win by any means, as Krizan, especially, is a good and smart player. On the other hand, Fusai/Tauziat has been, and can be, the greatest team on Earth.
Second round for FT will be more obviously a challenge as it will be vs. either the "near-star/star" team of Amelie Mauresmo/Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario or the "star/near-star" (and Russian) team of Elena Dementieva/Lina Krasnoroutskaya. However, importantly, it will be the seeded team (FT) vs. an unseeded team. FT will win!
Well, whatever - at least I hope Alexandra is happy and fun-having these days. That's all I really hope......
(Riskily, I now insert an aside regarding the announced retirement of Dominique VanRoost: mostly, I hope she reconsiders, as Nathalie apparently has. Dominique is very pretty, not beautiful like Alexandra, but very pretty, and her style of play seems to me very graceful, like ballet, and very smart, and yet, perhaps ironically, very powerful. Like Alexandra, she is an "original". If she does retire, the Tour will then have a sizable hole in it which will forever be empty, almost like the retirements of Evert and Graf. I have no idea if Dominique is a "nice person" (obviously I think Alexandra is a "nice person", and I have some evidence of that), but even if Dominique is a "horrible bitch", she will be much missed by many, many fans who have very much enjoyed her matches for many, many years.)
Thursday 10/26/00
Fusai/Tauziat are rollin' in Moscow!
In the Quarterfinals at the Kremlin Cup it was FT vs. the all-Russian (and dangerous) team of Elena Dementieva/Lina Krasnoroutskaya today. FT won: 4-6, 6-1, 6-1. YEA!
Looks like FT got in a VERY nice groove after that 1st set!
Groove on, FT!
The Semi's are the top 4 seeds.
For FT (seeded #4) it is vs. Martina Hingis/Anna Kournikova (seeded #2), probably Saturday. Hingis is, well, quite a good player(!), and Kournikova is, well, Russian.
Do some more of that Groove thing, FT! Win again!
And HAVE FUN!
Monday 10/30/00
Well, Hingis/Kournikova defeated Fusai/Tauziat in the Moscow semi's: 6-3, 6-0. Oh well....
Then Alexandra lost in 1st round Leipzig qualifying to Maja Matevzic: 3-6, 6-3, 6-3. Oh well....
Fusai/Tauziat are seeded #1 and face Sandra Nacuk/Tina Pisnik in 1st round. Win, FT, win!
(Note: this day's note is a basic and pathetic recreation of the original - which was, unfortunately, lost due to "technical issues".)
(OK - I screwed up, I lost it - we all make mistakes, eh? We all have bad days, eh? I'm very sorry - the original was semi-clever - oh well....)
Wednesday 11/1/00
Well, Nacuk/Pisnik defeated Fusai/Tauziat in 1st round doubles in Leipzig: 6-3, 6-4. Oh well....
Just an odd day for FT, I guess - no big deal.....
Next for Alexandra might be Philadelphia, USA, next week - maybe singles and doubles.
Alexandra: every week is "begin anew". You are a great player! You can play great next week! This week and next are "discrete" - unconnected. Every week is new - a new beginning!
For me, I think, "take care", "be happy", and "have fun" are primary. I think wins will then naturally follow. Just my opinion.....
Thursday 11/9/00
Alexandra is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, this week at the Advanta, playing doubles as one-half of the wonderful and historic team of Fusai/Tauziat. They are seeded #4.
Oddly, Alexandra did not participate in the Philly qualifying, although she probably could have, due to many late no-shows. Perhaps, Alexandra was just not "in the vicinity" at the time? That is certainly a likely explanation.....
Anyway: Fusai/Tauziat faced Erika deLone/Nicole Pratt in 1st round: FT won handily: 6-3, 6-3! YEA! Well done, FT!
Next is FT vs. Petra Rampre/Meghann Shaughnessy. This is a team which will not easily go quietly into that good night (to paraphrase someone....).
Win again, FT, WIN AGAIN! And HAVE FUN!
(By the way, it now looks like FT are assured a spot in the Chase Doubles. "This is a Good Thing.", to quote Martha. And I agree.)
Sunday 11/12/00
In the Advanta Doubles Quarterfinals, Fusai/Tauziat defeated Rampre/Shaughnessy 6-4, 6-2. YEA! Well done, ya Franco-foxes! YEA!
For the Semifinals, it was Fusai/Tauziat vs. Hingis/Kournikova (again). Well, HK took the match, again - this time 6-1, 6-2. Oh well....
Here's what's the thing with these recent losses to HK: it's a set-up! When FT faces HK at the Chase it will be like, "What is this?!!". FT will win, and HK will be gone! Mark my words! (Hingis is tough, though....)
So now let's cut to the Chase: FT is in it, and 3 wins wins it. Yeah, 3 tough wins, but just 3 wins. This is very do-able for FT.
Nathalie is also in Singles, and it takes 4 wins to win that, but I really see Nathalie winning the Singles this year, and Fusai/Tauziat winning the Doubles. I really see that. Both are very much more than just "possible"! This can really happen!
To me, though, most important is this: both Nathalie and Alexandra: be good, do good, take care, and HAVE FUN! (And WINS are nice!)
Tuesday 11/14/00
Today, it was the unseeded team of Alexandra Fusai/Nathalie Tauziat vs. the #3 seeded team of Lisa Raymond/Rennae Stubbs in the 1st Round Doubles (Quarterfinals, actually) at the Chase Championships.
Well, Raymond/Stubbs prevailed, 6-4, 7-6(7-5), but clearly Fusai/Tauziat put up a good fight, and gave the crowd a typically exciting FT match. Hooray for that, at least! But anyway, and otherwise, oh well.....
Even so, just being in the Chase is an important and impressive honor and "award" by itself. It plainly validates a year's worth of great matches, and victories, by the wonderful team of Fusai/Tauziat. After all the doubles matches at all the tournaments for all of 2000, only 8 teams qualify for the Chase, and this year, once again, Fusai/Tauziat was appropriately one of those 8 teams.
So among all your modesty and humility, please allow yourself to feel some real and justifiable pride, ok, Alexandra?
Year 2000 has been a year of many good victories, not just defeats, and very many good shows for very many crowds all over the world, Alexandra.
And, hopefully, there have been many good times, and much fun. And 2001 can be even better!
There are still some ITF and USTA Satellite and Challenger events to be played this year, which Alexandra may choose to participate in, although taking some time off prior to Auckland and the Aussie Open, etc., in January, would also be understandable. So, we'll see....
BE HAPPY, Alexandra!
Wednesday 11/22/00
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Alexandra!
On behalf of literally many, many, thousands, let me now, and here, express extreme joy that you were born 27 years ago today!
You have truly improved the lives of thousands of your fellow Earthlings by demonstrating your awesome talent, and Spirit, in public, for years. But, most of all, we have clearly recognized you as a Good and Nice person, making us proud to be Human with you.
Of course, no one is "good and nice" every day, but you know you are a good and nice person, don't you? Of course you do!
Today is Fusai-Day, something less than Christmas (of course!), but still a very special day!
Tomorrow (this year), in the US, is "Thanksgiving Day". Many, many thousands of Americans (and citizens of other countries, as well) can be thankful that you have been in our lives, however fleetingly. You have given much to us, and all we have been able to give to you is applause, and smiles, and some of the $ we spent on tickets. We owe you!
Now I again presume to speak for thousands, all over the world (I feel sure accurately, however) in saying this: we, your fans, your friends, care MOST OF ALL for your personal happiness. And we, equally, hope your happiness involves us being able to see you play tennis all over the place in 2001!
Please BE HAPPY, Alexandra! (Whatever that means....)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Alexandra! You are truly loved!
Friday 12/29/00
Now it looks like Alexandra will begin her 2001 in 2000. This may be a "good" thing!
It seems at the very least "probable" that Alexandra will be playing a 1st round qualifying singles in Auckland tomorrow. So Alexandra still can rack up some more 2000 singles wins to qualify for the Auckland main draw, which starts Monday 1/1/01.
My sentiment is this: win some more in 2000, Alexandra - then win A LOT more in 2001!
Fusai/Black are last year's Champions at Auckland - and are expected to defend that by the tournament this (next) year. My prediction is this: they will SUCCEED!
And this is my HOPE (with all my heart): that these 9 days of qualifying and tournament are GREAT FUN for Alexandra! Yes: both on and off the tennis court.
There is "the game" and there is "life", and both can be FUN - but when one isn't then the other can still be entirely - and that works both ways. I feel sure you know that, Alexandra: this is just a reminder, ok?
Saturday 12/30/00
Alexandra is winning again!
Alexandra Fusai (seeded #7) defeated Antonia Matic (unseeded) 6-4, 6-1 in 1st round qualifying at the ASB Bank Classic in Auckland, New Zealand, today. YEA!
That's a good way to start the New Year, and end the current one, basically both at the same time! YEAH!
Next is probably vs. #161-ranked (and unseeded) Selima Sfar, probably tomorrow.
Win again, Alexandra! And (of course!) have some FUN!
Sunday 12/31/00
Good news from Auckland, again!
Alexandra bested Selima Sfar 6-2, 6-4 in 2nd round qualifying at the ASB today. YEA!
Next is vs. either Katarina Srebotnik or Liezel Horn, probably tomorrow.
One more win and Alexandra is in the Main Draw!
So win again, Alexandra, win again!
And HAPPY NEW YEAR! Please have a FUN and HAPPY 2001, OK?