- Alexandra Fusai 2002 History
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- Monday 4/22/02
- This is just to mention that, due to Alexandra's GREAT play in Charleston these past 9 days, her rankings have improved considerably today: from #185 to #133 in Singles, and from #53 to #41 in Doubles.
- (I think it's worth noting that the Singles players that Alexandra defeated were ranked #108, #82, #38, and #61 - all higher than #133.)
- Yeah, BABY!
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- Sunday 5/5/02
- This week, Alexandra is in Berlin, Germany, Europe at the Eurocard Ladies German Open - playing Doubles only. Alexandra is teaming with Caroline Vis, as usual this year, and (as Martha says): that's a GOOD thing!
- In 1st Round (Main Draw, of course) it will be Fusai/Vis (unseeded) vs. Adriana Serra-Zanetti/Antonella Serra-Zanetti (also unseeded) - scheduled for the 4th match on Court #4, tomorrow. (However, I have heard that the weather is interesting in Berlin lately, so it may not actually happen tomorrow.)
- The Serra-Zanettis are (probably) sisters, maybe even twins (but I don't think they're twins). They team well together, and are both quite good players.
- Meanwhile, Fusai/Vis are (sometimes) THE BEST TEAM on this (or any other) PLANET!
- My prediction: It will be exciting, and a good show for the crowd. The Serra-Zanettis will play very well. Alexandra and Caroline will both serve VERY WELL. Caroline will make a few truly dumb errors, but have many spectacular winners. Alexandra will make maybe 100(+?) "impossible" returns (maybe falling down 2 or 3 times), and have several winners even more spectacular than Caroline's.
- Fusai/Vis will WIN!
- After the match, the crowd buzz will be: "That Alexandra Fusai can PLAY! And Caroline Vis is a good partner for her. That other team tried, and played well, but....."
- "Fusai/Vis had FUN!!!!!"
- (By the way, 3 (of 6) Bausch & Lomb 2002 galleries are now posted. I think at least some of the pics are quite good. Go there: click here!)
- (Also by the way: I hope Tweety gets some great pics of Alexandra there in Berlin. And I hope she decides to permit non-commercial sites (like mine) to post her pics (with full credit, of course!). Mostly, I hope Tweety figures out some way to make her site non-commercial - so no one will think that she is getting income from Alexandra's efforts. Tweety's EXCELLENT "Fusai Fanpages" site is here.)
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- Monday 5/6/02
- GOOD NEWS from Berlin! Fusai/Vis have advanced to 2nd Round Main Draw Doubles at the Eurocard Ladies German Open. YEA!
- It looked like it was going to be Fusai/Vis (unseeded) vs. Adriana Serra-Zanetti/Antonella Serra-Zanetti (also unseeded), but it seems that the Serra-Zanettis dropped out and were replaced by "lucky losers" Jennifer Hopkins/Anastasia Myskina. I don't know Hopkins, but I have seen Myskina play, and she is GOOD, especially, it seems, lately (she advanced in Singles earlier today).
- So this new matchup had some clear potential to be exciting, and it very much was! Ultimately, though, it was Fusai/Vis d. Hopkins/Myskina: 6-2, 6-4. YEA!
- It went like this (unknown who served 1st): 1-0, 2-0, 3-0, 3-1, 4-1, 5-1, 5-2, 6-2, 1-0, 2-0, 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 3-3, 3-4, 4-4, 5-4, 6-4. YEA!
- The internet scoreboard was a bit erratic, but I think I got some good data. The 1st set was a bit closer than the score indicates, but it was basically 1/2 close games and 1/2 not close games. The teams split the close games. The not close games went to FV. HM had 2 chances to take the 1st game, but FV got it on their 1st chance, after 2 deuces. Then FV went up 40-0, but HM came back to deuce, then FV took it: 2-0. A quick game (possibly love) made 3-0 FV. Then HM went up 40-15 (possibly 40-0), but FV came back to deuce, then got the add, but HM took it after the 2nd deuce: 3-1. Wins at 15 and love made 5-1 FV. FV then had at least 1 set-point, but HM took it through a deuce: 5-2. FV took the 1st set at 15: 6-2. YEA!
- So FV seemed to be rolling good, and the 2nd set started with a quick 2-0 lead for FV. Then things got real interesting! HM quickly made it 2-2, then led 3-2 on their 2nd chance through 2 deuces (FV had one game point). Then HM had a chance to go up 4-2, but FV came back to even the set after a deuce: 3-3. HM then went up again, 4-3, on their 3rd chance (2 deuces - FV had no game point). Then FV apparently decided to have some REAL FUN, with a game at 15, then 2 love games: 6-4. YEA!
- A VERY exciting 2nd set (in the middle, at least) with a VERY impressive finish! Well done, Alexandra and Caroline!
- The crowd clearly saw GREATNESS!
- Next (2nd Round) for Fusai/Vis will be vs. either Surina DeBeer/Nannie DeVilliers (unseeded) or Elena Dementieva/Janette Husarova (seeded #6) - probably Wednesday.
- Win again, FV, WIN AGAIN! And HAVE FUN!
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- Wednesday 5/8/02
- Today, in Berlin, Germany, Europe, at the Eurocard Ladies German Open, it was Alexandra Fusai/Caroline Vis (unseeded) vs. Elena Dementieva/Janette Husarova (seeded #6) in 2nd Round Main Draw Doubles.
- It was the 1st match of the day on Court #1, starting at noon, Berlin time.
- For some reason, the internet scoreboard did not cover Court #1 - it had the other 5 courts where play was occurring, but not Court #1. So I have no details. Maybe that's a good thing.....
- Dementieva/Husarova d. Fusai/Vis: 6-1, 6-0. Oh well.....
- My hunch is that, despite the score, it was plenty exciting, and a good show for the crowd. But I don't know.....
- Maybe it was even SOME FUN! I hope so!
- It looks like it was, though, at least, a "tough" day for FV - maybe a "bad" day. Some days are "tough", some are even "bad" - but there are ALWAYS other days!
- And that 1st Round match was SWEET!
- And here's a picture!
- Lookin' GOOD, Alexandra!
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- Friday 5/10/02
- This week, Alexandra is in Rome, Italy, Europe, at the Italian Open, a Tier I event, playing Singles and (probably) Doubles.
- There are 48 players in the Qualifying - 24 are seeded and 24 are not. In 1st Round, Alexandra (unseeded) faces the #24 seed, Clarisa Fernandez.
- I have seen Clarisa play, recently, and she is very, very good. When Alexandra wins this it will be very much PROOF that Alexandra is playing VERY GOOD singles, lately.
- Win, Alexandra, WIN!
- And HAVE FUN!
- (By the way, tonight all of the Bausch & Lomb 2002 pictures are finally posted: 6 galleries, 67 pictures.)
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- Saturday 5/11/02
- Well, it was 1st Round Qualifying at the Italian Open in Rome today.
- That is, it was Alexandra Fusai (unseeded) vs. Clarisa Fernandez (seeded #24).
- Well, Fernandez d. Fusai: 6-4, 6-4. Oh well....
- Clarisa impressed me greatly with her gutsy and smart play in Charleston recently, so this result is not exactly a shocker, but even so....
- I suspect that it was very close, and Alexandra played very well, and the crowd saw a great match. And I suspect they were as impressed with Alexandra as they probably were with Clarisa.
- So now (probably) it's Doubles Time!
- Win some FUN Doubles, Alexandra!
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- Tuesday 5/14/02
- Well, today, in Rome, Italy, Europe, it was 1st Round Main Draw Doubles at the Italian Open (a Tier I tournament).
- Specifically, it was Alexandra Fusai/Caroline Vis vs. Justine Henin/Meghann Shaughnessy (both teams unseeded).
- Well, Henin/Shaughnessy d. Fusai/Vis: 4-6, 6-4, 6-4. Oh well....
- Clearly, this was a very close match, and a good show for the crowd. Probably both teams played very well. Henin is very hot lately, with victories over Capriati and S. Williams giving her the German Singles title just prior to this match, and, although I think Shaughnessy is in no way "great", she's not chopped-liver, either.
- SO: since Charleston, Alexandra has played one Singles, a close loss to Clarisa Fernandez. That IN NO WAY changes my opinion that Alexandra is currently playing Singles at a Top 40 (or better) level (I think Clarisa is doing likewise). I know what I saw in Charleston: Alexandra is playing VERY GOOD Singles lately!
- AND: since Charleston, Fusai/Vis have played 3 matches: a very impressive win over Hopkins/Myskina, then a tough loss to Dementieva/Husarova (who then went on to take the title with 3 more very impressive wins), and a close loss to Henin/Shaughnessy. That IN NO WAY changes my opinion that Fusai/Vis are a GREAT and EXCELLENT team - fully capable of playing better than any other team IN THE WORLD! Again, I know what I saw in Charleston: Fusai/Vis are AWESOME!
- Looking forward: next week is Roland Garros (French Open) Qualifying. There is a possibility that Alexandra could get a Wild Card, but I actually think I hope she doesn't.
- If Alexandra gets a Wild Card, then she may go to Strasbourg (France) or Madrid (Spain), probably with Caroline (both tournaments are Tier III). If Alexandra goes that route, then I think we will see VERY GOOD THINGS from Alexandra and Fusai/Vis!
- But what I expect is that Alexandra will be playing Singles Qualifying in Paris next week. And I suspect Alexandra will Qualify, probably not "easily", but very impressively! Then, if the Main Draw is at all fair and kind, Alexandra will make a Major March!
- Fusai/Vis will be in the Main Draw, of course, and they can WIN IT ALL!
- But mostly what I see, in my Crystal Ball, is not a match in progress at all: it is 1000's of people looking at their Daily Schedule, after they walk in, and seeing the name "Alexandra Fusai", and saying to themselves, "That's the match I want to see! Alexandra is GREAT!".
- You ARE GREAT, Alexandra!
- And please always HAVE FUN!
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- Friday 5/17/02
- This week, Alexandra is in Madrid, Spain, Europe (where it rains mainly on the plain) at the Volkswagen Trophy - Spanish Open.
- In 1st Round Singles Qualifying, Alexandra faces Jane Chi (of the USA - WTA ranked #205), in the 3rd Match on Court #6, tomorrow.
- Chi is about Alexandra's age, but with a shorter, and far less successful, career than Alexandra has had. That said, and although I expect Alexandra will win with an impressive score, I expect Chi will give the match ALL SHE HAS, and Alexandra will do likewise (I hope!).
- The crowd will see a GREAT match, and will leave with a GREAT RESPECT for Chi, and a GREAT LOVE for Alexandra. And the crowd will be VERY GLAD that they can see Alexandra play 2nd Round, because Alexandra WILL WIN tomorrow!
- Win, Alexandra, WIN! And HAVE FUN!
- Alexandra is in Spain because she got a "Wild Card" into the Roland Garros Main Draw. (This was apparently announced almost 2 weeks ago, yet the Roland Garros website says, even today, that Alexandra is "waiting"....) It remains to be seen if that "Wild Card" is a "good thing". I hope Alexandra will consider this Spanish week as Roland Garros Qualifying and will make a huge run, like in Charleston, or better. Alexandra's best chance in Main Draw Roland Garros may be in making a clear statement in Spain, this week. If the Alexandra in Spain this week is the Alexandra I saw in Charleston recently, then she is totally capable of doing that!
- PRESSURE now: it all comes down to tomorrow. EVERY game, even EVERY point, even, sometimes, EVERY shot. Then, after you win, Alexandra, it's "do it again" in the next Round. Make it FUN, and you'll be ok, Alexandra! (Win or lose...)
- (By the way, it is "interesting" that Alexandra is in Spain this week, instead of Strasbourg, considering that Nathalie Tauziat seems to be the Tournament Director in Strasbourg this year. I think I know what's going on with that - but I don't really know....)
- (Also by the way, the web chatter is that the Strasbourg Main Draw is "tougher" than the Madrid Main Draw - I disagree. In my opinion, with a "Wild Card" into the Main Draw in Strasbourg, Alexandra could win the title there with just 1, or maybe 2, "tough" matches. In Spain, after Qualifying, I see every Round as being "tough" for Alexandra. But I am notoriously ignorant about such things, so.....)
- (Yet more by the way, apropos of nothing: I feel a need to mention that I have spent a week in Spain, twice, about 10 years apart, in the southern "Andalucia"/"Costa del Sol" region, and I feel it is a VERY SPECIAL place - especially inland, but also along the coast.)
- (Finally, by the way, I have tonight added details of Alexandra's 1st Round Qualifying victory over Selima Sfar in Charleston on 4/13.)
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- Saturday 5/18/02
- Good News from Madrid!
- Today, at the Spanish Open, it was 1st Round Qualifying Singles - Alexandra Fusai vs. Jane Chi.
- Fusai d. Chi: 6-1, 3-6, 6-3. YEA!
- It looks like it was an exciting match, with a good start, a nice "hang in there", and a good finish. Yea, hooray, Fusai!
- 2nd Round will be vs. America's Tara Snyder (WTA ranked #213), probably tomorrow. Snyder is a bit younger than Alexandra, and has shown some toughness, but Alexandra is certainly the better player.
- Win again, Alexandra, WIN AGAIN!
- And HAVE FUN!
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- Sunday 5/19/02
- MORE Good News from Madrid!
- Today, at the Spanish Open, it was 2nd Round Qualifying Singles - Alexandra Fusai vs. Tara Snyder.
- Fusai d. Snyder: 6-4, 6-3. YEA!
- This one looks like it was a GREAT player defeating a good player - and Alexandra "made a statement", so to speak. Probably, the crowd saw a good match - and clearly saw the GREATNESS of Alexandra. YEA!
- The 3rd (ie. Final) Round of Qualifying for Alexandra will be vs. Melissa Middleton, probably tomorrow. Middleton is a 20-year-old American, currently WTA ranked #351. Here's what I expect: Middleton will take the match REAL SERIOUS and Alexandra will HAVE FUN and Alexandra WILL WIN!
- Qualify now, Alexandra, HAVE FUN and QUALIFY!
- (By the way: apparently Alexandra is seeded #8 in Qualifying - Chi, Snyder, and Middleton are all unseeded. Also: apparently Alexandra is skipping Doubles in Madrid. I'm OK with that! Probably Fusai/Vis need a brief break, before the French, more than they need more matches. Finally: here's a pic! And here's another pic!)
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- Monday 5/20/02
- EXCELLENT News from Madrid! Alexandra has Qualified! YEA!
- Today, at the Spanish Open, it was 3rd (ie. Final) Round Qualifying Singles - Alexandra Fusai vs. Melissa Middleton.
- Fusai d. Middleton: 6-7(5-7), 6-3, 6-2. YEA!
- So it looks like the crowd "sort-of" saw 2 matches: a very close and exciting 1st set, then Alexandra showing clearly what she is capable of. Lucky crowd!
- In 1st Round Main Draw Singles (Court #5, 1pm, tomorrow), it will be Alexandra Fusai vs. Nicole Pratt.
- Pratt is an Australian, but is otherwise almost spookily similar to Alexandra: age, career, accomplishments, etc.. With Pratt (unseeded) currently WTA ranked #40, it will be Pratt who is "favored". Knowledgeable Vegas oddsmakers, however, would probably list the match as "even money" - and I would certainly bet on Alexandra! (It could be very close, though....)
- Win again, Alexandra, WIN AGAIN!
- And HAVE FUN!
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- Tuesday 5/21/02
- Well, today, at the Spanish Open, in Madrid, it was 1st Round Main Draw Singles - Alexandra Fusai vs. Nicole Pratt.
- Well, Pratt d. Fusai: 7-5, 6-2. Oh well....
- Considering that Pratt is ranked #40 and Alexandra is ranked #142, this result is not exactly a shocker. And the 1st set, at least, was probably quite exciting and close - since it must have, obviously, passed through 5-5. And I suspect the crowd today saw a close 2nd set as well, much closer than the score, with Alexandra fighting to the last point. As the crowd filed out, it is quite likely that the general murmur was something like, "Pratt played better, but I wish that Fusai girl could have won somehow...." (in Spanish, of course).
- This was a "re-match" of sorts. About a month ago, at the Family Circle in Charleston, it was Fusai d. Pratt (6-4, 6-1) in 1st Round Main Draw (I was there). In that match, Pratt played very, very well - but Alexandra played better, maybe much better. Today, probably, both players played very, very well - but Pratt played better. That just shows that sometimes, occasionally, Pratt can play better than Alexandra - that's all that shows!
- At least I hope it was SOME FUN for you, Alexandra!
- Madrid was very good for Alexandra: 3 good wins, and it took a #40 to stop her - and a #40 who can stop her only sometimes.
- Next for Alexandra is The Roland Garros (French Open), a Grand Slam. Alexandra has a Wild Card into the Main Draw. The crowd will be full of fans who have developed a deep appreciation of Alexandra's GREATNESS and SPIRIT over the years, and who will cheer for her relentlessly. And there will be many who will see Alexandra for the first time - they will be the luckiest.
- There is a part of me that hopes Alexandra gets a "good" draw, but another part of me feels that it really doesn't matter - in 1st Round, at least, Alexandra can defeat ANYONE, truly and literally, and probably in Rounds beyond that 1st. This could very well, and very likely, be a very excellent Roland Garros for Alexandra. Maybe, most of all, she has to want it to be. I don't know....
- If Alexandra draws Pratt in 1st Round, well, I really have no problem with that - no problem at all!
- Then there is Fusai/Vis. I hope Fusai/Vis (BOTH of them!) decide that they want to make it crystal-clear that they are headed for the Chase, and vying for #1! Do they need a "good" draw to do that? Actually, I think any draw will do!
- What about Mixed? Should Alexandra "bother" with Mixed? I say: YES!
- Play Mixed, too, Alexandra!
- (KNOW this, though, Alexandra: there are, truly and literally, thousands and thousands of people who just want, MOST OF ALL, for you to be happy!)
- And HAVE FUN!
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- Friday 5/24/02
- At the Roland Garros (French Open) 1st Round Main Draw Singles (Alexandra got a Wild Card) it will be Alexandra Fusai (WTA ranked #142) vs. Janette Husarova (WTA ranked #41), probably early next week.
- This is a GOOD 1st Round match-up for Alexandra, in my opinion. Husarova is very similar to Alexandra in age, career, accomplishments, etc.. Actually, Husarova is even more similar to Pratt than she is to Alexandra, in that both Husarova and Pratt have career earnings far less than Alexandra's (probably due to far less success in Doubles), and both Husarova and Pratt have gotten their career-best rankings recently.
- So Alexandra is ranked #142 - that ranking is GARBAGE! In Charleston, Alexandra was CLEARLY playing at a #40 level, AT LEAST! Can Alexandra play even better in Paris? YOU BET SHE CAN!!! Husarova will LOSE, with dignity, and Alexandra will ENJOY advancing to 2nd Round!
- There is this dream I've been having lately: it starts will a news announcer saying, "The celebration in Paris is even bigger than when France won the World Cup!". The reason is that Alexandra has won Singles, Doubles, and Mixed! A HAT-TRICK! Millions are in the streets chanting, "FUSAI, FUSAI, FUSAI!".
- OK, "maybe" that won't happen.....
- But I want VERY MUCH, in a few days, to be writing here, "In 2nd Round Main Draw Singles at Roland Garros, Alexandra faces ....". There may not be millions who want me to write that, but I KNOW there are, AT LEAST MANY THOUSANDS! (How's that for PRESSURE, eh?)
- Meanwhile, personally, what I want MOST OF ALL, Alexandra, is this: BE HAPPY and HAVE FUN! Tennis is, after all, a game.....
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- Tuesday 5/28/02
- Good News from Paris! (Kind-of....)
- Today, at the Roland Garros (French Open) it was Alexandra Fusai vs. Janette Husarova in 1st Round Main Draw Singles.
- Alexandra tied! 2-6, 6-3, 1-1! (Huh?)
- It went like this (JH served 1st): 0-1, 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 0-1, 1-1, 2-1, 3-1, 4-1, 4-2, 4-3, 5-3, 6-3, 1-0, 1-1, suspended-for-darkness. YEA?!
- Some more detail is available, although points came sporadically to the Java Scoreboard, but many points can be inferred. However, some of what follows is guessing.
- In the 1st game, JH went up 40-0, then AF got a point, then JH held: 0-1. Alexandra then went down 0-15, but held, somehow after 30-30: 1-1. JH then went down 0-30, then 15-40, but held through at least one deuce: 1-2. Alexandra then went down 0-40, then came back to at least 30-40, but was broken: 1-3. JH then went down 0-15, came back to 30-15, and held: 1-4. Alexandra then went through 15-15 to 40-15, but it took at least 3 deuces for AF to hold (AF had at least 2 adds, JH had at least 1 break chance): 4-2. JH then went up 30-0, then it was 40-30, then JH held: 5-2. Then Alexandra went up 30-15, then 40-30, but JH got the break, and set, through at least one deuce: 6-2. Oh well....
- (In this 1st set, the statistics show Alexandra with a very high 1st serve % (79%), but, oddly(?) with even better success on her 2nd serve. Mostly, in this set, JH won on winners (4 vs. 16), errors were about even (16 vs. 17), but Alexandra couldn't convert either of 2 break-chances. Points were 25-33.)
- In the 2nd set, JH went up 15-0, then 40-15, then held: 0-1. Then Alexandra went through 0-15, then 15-15 (with a winner), then 30-15 (on an error), then 40-15, then held: 1-1. Then JH went down 0-15, then up 30-15, then down 30-40, then AF got the break through at least one deuce: 2-1. Then it went 15-0, 40-15, 40-30, then Alexandra held: 3-1. Then JH went down 0-30, came back to 30-30, then AF got another break, through at least one deuce: 4-1. Then it was 15-15, then 15-40, then Alexandra was broken: 4-2. Then JH went down 0-15, then came back to 15-15 (on a winner), then 40-30, then add-JH, then deuce again (on a JH double-fault), then JH held: 4-3. Then it was 15-15, then 30-15 (on a winner), then 40-30, then Alexandra held through at least 2 deuces (JH had an add on a double-fault from AF): 5-3. Then 15-30, then 15-40, then: 6-3. YEA!
- (In this 2nd set, the stats show Alexandra with less of a 1st serve %, but, again, better success with her 2nd serve. Mostly, it shows much more in winners from AF (10 vs. 16), and much more in errors from JH (14 vs. 25). Probably this is Alexandra producing "unforced" errors. Points were 38 vs. 31.)
- In the 3rd set, Alexandra held from 30-15, then 40-15 (on a winner): 1-0. Then it was 15-0, then 15-30, then 40-30, then JH held: 1-1.
- Then it was apparently too dark to play anymore (almost 9pm in Paris).
- (The 3rd set stats are basically even, so far.)
- This situation now, overnight, is GOOD 'cause Alexandra is even, late in the match, with a player ranked about 100 above her. And Alexandra has shown both "come-back" and "hang-on" in this match. (On the downside, there is that Alexandra had the momentum, JH seemed maybe tired and confused, and, today at least, it was JH who was the "fast-starter" and Alexandra was the "slow-starter". But OH WELL to all that!)
- Tomorrow, on Court #16 (same as today), weather-permitting, this match will finish (Alexandra will serve 1st.). It will be like a mini-match, although with no 3rd set tie-break, it could go on for a while. But Alexandra will walk out there thinking, "I can WIN this!", and JH will walk out there thinking, "I can LOSE this!". Both will be right: Alexandra will WIN!
- Win, Alexandra, WIN!
- And HAVE FUN!
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- Wednesday 5/29/02
- Alexandra played some tennis today at the Roland Garros (French Open) in Paris - some GOOD tennis!
- Ultimately, however, it was Janette Husarova d. Alexandra Fusai, 6-4 (kind-of), in 1st Round Main Draw Singles.
- Actually, this was a continuation of a match suspended last night due to darkness at 1-1 in the 3rd. Yesterday, Husarova took the 1st set 6-2 and Alexandra took the 2nd set 6-3.
- Today went like this (Alexandra served 1st today): (2-6, 6-3, 1-1), 2-1, 2-2, 3-2, 4-2, 4-3, 4-4, 5-4, 5-5, 5-6, 5-7. Oh well.....
- So the "real" score is Husarova d. Fusai: 6-2, 3-6, 7-5. Oh well....
- Like yesterday, points came only sporadically to the Java Scoreboard, but some detail, including guesses, is possible.
- In the 1st game today, Alexandra went down 0-30, then 15-30, then 30-40, then went through at least one deuce to hold with a winner: 2-1. JH then held through 30-0: 2-2. Alexandra then held sometime after 40-0: 3-2. JH then went through 15-15 to 40-15, but Alexandra took it to deuce, then got the break: 4-2. YEA! But then Alexandra went through 15-15 to go down 15-40, and was broken: 4-3. JH then held via 15-0, 30-15, and 40-15: 4-4. Alexandra then went down 0-15, then up 40-15, then held: 5-4. JH then passed through 30-15 and 40-30 to hold: 5-5. Alexandra then went down 0-15 on a double-fault, then 15-30 on another double-fault, then came back to 40-30, but a 3rd double-fault brought deuce, then add-AF, then deuce, then JH got the break: 5-6. (These 3 DF's were Alexandra's only DF's today.) Then it looks like JH held at love for the set, and match: 5-7. Oh well.....
- This was a GOOD match for Alexandra, including today, providing yet more clear evidence that Alexandra is playing far, far better then her current ranking. That's GOOD!
- (Even so, oh well.....)
- At least here's a picture! (Credited to Yoann Fitoussi.)
- YUMMY!
- SO: now it's Doubles Time!
- The EXCELLENT and AWESOME team of Alexandra Fusai/Caroline Vis are seeded #16. (And Alexandra may play Mixed, also!)
- In 1st Round (maybe tomorrow) Fusai/Vis will face Julie Pullin/Marlene Weingartner. Although Pullin and Weingartner are both good players (especially Weingartner), FV will be appropriately favored.
- Win, Fusai/Vis, WIN!
- And HAVE FUN!
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- Thursday 5/30/02
- GOOD NEWS from Paris!
- Today, at the Roland Garros (French Open), it was 1st Round Main Draw Women's Doubles: Alexandra Fusai/Caroline Vis (seeded #16) vs. Julie Pullin/Marlene Weingartner (unseeded).
- Fusai/Vis WON! Fusai/Vis d. Pullin/Weingartner: 6-1, 6-3! YEA!
- For some reason, the Java Scoreboard was very stingy in providing information, at least until the last 2 games. There is some detail to report, though.
- It went like this (PW served 1st): ?-?, ?-?, ?-?, 3-1, 4-1, 5-1, 6-1, ?-?, 1-1, 2-1, 2-2, 3-2, 4-2, 4-3, 5-3, 6-3. YEA!
- In the 1st set, the only detail I have is that PW went down 0-15 in the 5th game (and were broken), and FV took the set with a break in the 7th game. YEA!
- In the 2nd set, FV went up 30-0, then "someone" won, then it was 1-1. FV then went up 40-0 and held (sometime after that): 2-1. Then PW also held: 2-2. FV then went through 30-0 and 30-15 to hold (somehow): 3-2. Then PW went down 15-40, and were broken sometime after that: 4-2. But then FV were also broken: 4-3, back on serve. Then, with PW serving, the score went 0-15, 0-30, 15-30, 15-40, 30-40, break: 5-3. But PW were in no way done, as, with FV serving, the score went 15-0, 15-15, 30-15, 30-30, 30-40 (break-point, to put the set back on serve), deuce, add-FV (match-point #1), deuce, add-FV again (match-point #2), then set-match: 6-3. YEA!
- Considering the WONDERFUL propensities of Fusai/Vis to make matches exciting (and, especially, entertaining!), the 1st set was probably closer than the score indicates. At the same time, it probably clearly showcased the INCREDIBLE abilities of Fusai/Vis. The 2nd set was truly close, even closer than the score, but, although Pullin and Weingartner are both quite good players, it makes sense that as a TEAM they were far short of the MAGNIFICENCE of Fusai/Vis!
- In 2nd Round, maybe Saturday, it will be Alexandra Fusai/Caroline Vis (seeded #16) vs. the Spanish team of Eva Bes/Lourdes Dominguez Lino (unseeded).
- Although Bes and Lino are both good players (especially Bes, especially lately), they will discover (as the somewhat similar Pullin/Weingartner team learned today) that as a TEAM they are no real match at all for the LEGENDARY Fusai/Vis. It will be exciting, and entertaining, and Fusai/Vis WILL WIN!
- Win again, Fusai/Vis, WIN AGAIN!
- And HAVE FUN!
- AND: Alexandra is playing Mixed! YEA!
- Alexandra is teaming with fellow Frenchie (or Frenchie fellow?) Julien Varlet. I know basically nothing of Varlet, except that he is a bit younger than Alexandra, and, although his rankings, etc., are not particularly great, he made an impressive march through the Qualifying before losing in a very close, 5-set, 1st Round Main Draw match to Mark Philippoussis, who I have heard of.
- MOSTLY: I hope Varlet likes to HAVE FUN!
- In 1st Round (2nd match on Court #3, tomorrow) it will be Fusai/Varlet vs. Jennifer Capriati/Steven Capriati.
- Of course, Jennifer Capriati is quite a good player (lately) - but Alexandra gave her a good match in Charleston recently, and it may well be the case that Alexandra is a better Doubles player than Jennifer. Meanwhile, Steven Capriati is basically an unknown quantity, although it may be significant that he is participating only in Mixed. With Varlet participating in all 3 events (with some very impressive results!), it seems reasonable to assume that Julien is the better player.
- My hunch is: Fusai/Varlet (this "other FV") WILL WIN!
- Win, Fusai/Varlet, WIN!
- And HAVE FUN!
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- Friday 5/31/02
- More GOOD NEWS from Paris!
- Today, at the Roland Garros (French Open), it was 1st Round Mixed Doubles: Alexandra Fusai/Julien Varlet (unseeded) vs. Jennifer Capriati/Steven Capriati (also unseeded).
- Fusai/Varlet d. Capriati/Capriati: 6-3, 6-1! YEA!
- Once again, the Java Scoreboard was quite stingy in providing information, but today the Webcam filled in some of the blanks (but gave no good pics, though).
- It went like this (Fusai/Varlet served 1st): 1-0, 2-0, 3-0, 4-0, 5-0, 5-1, 5-2, 5-3, 6-3, 1-0, 1-1, 2-1, 3-1, 4-1, 5-1, 6-1. YEA!
- In the 1st set, the 1st game saw FV go up 40-15, then hold sometime after that. The 2nd game went through 30-30 and 30-40, then CC were broken: 2-0. Sometime after 15-0, FV held: 3-0. The 4th game went through 15-15 to put CC down 15-30, then CC came back to 40-30 with a chance to hold, then it went to deuce, then add-FV, then deuce again, then add-CC (another hold chance), then deuce again, then add-FV again, then CC were broken, again: 4-0. Then an FV hold, sometime after 40-0, made 5-0. CC then got on the board with a hold that went through 15-0 and 30-30: 5-1. CC then got a break back in a game where FV went down 0-15, came back to 30-15, then it was 30-30, then FV were broken: 5-2. A hold by CC made 5-3, but a hold then gave the set to Fusai/Varlet: 6-3. YEA!
- In the 2nd set, CC went up 30-0, but were broken sometime after that: 1-0. FV then went up 15-0, but then it was 15-40, and FV were also broken: 1-1. CC then went down 0-40, came back to 15-40, and were broken: 2-1. The next game seemed to go through 15-0, 30-15, 30-30, 40-30, deuce, add-FV, hold: 3-1. Then, sometime after 0-40, CC were broken again: 4-1. With FV serving, the next game went through 30-15 and 40-15 to a hold: 5-1. Fusai/Varlet then took the set, and match, with a break, sometime after 15-40: 6-1. YEA!
- This impressive win today is a real indication that Fusai/Varlet may be quite a good team!
- In 2nd Round, Fusai/Varlet will face either the #1 seeded team of Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario/Jared Palmer or the unseeded French team of Emilie Loit/Nicolas Coutelot. This next match will probably provide clearer evidence of just how good a team Fusai/Varlet is. My hunch, however, is that this "other FV", Fusai/Varlet, is a VERY good team!
- Win again, Fusai/Varlet, WIN AGAIN!
- And HAVE FUN!
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- Saturday 6/1/02
- The GOOD NEWS keeps rolling in from Paris!
- Today, at the Roland Garros (French Open), it was 2nd Round Main Draw Women's Doubles: Alexandra Fusai/Caroline Vis (seeded #16) vs. Eva Bes/Lourdes Dominguez Lino (unseeded).
- Fusai/Vis d. Bes/Lino: 6-1, 6-0! WOW! YEA!
- The Java Scoreboard was again reporting very few points, but some info was received.
- It went like this (Fusai/Vis served 1st): 1-0, 2-0, ?-?, 3-1, 4-1, 5-1, 6-1, 1-0, 2-0, 3-0, 4-0, 5-0, 6-0. YEA!
- In the 1st set, FV held, then BL were broken sometime after 15-15: 2-0. The 3rd game passed through 15-15, but I don't know who won. After the 4th game it was 3-1, then FV held after 30-0 for 4-1, broke after 30-30 for 5-1, and held for 6-1. YEA!
- In the 2nd set, BL got at least one point for 15-0, but were broken, then FV held after 30-0: 2-0. A break after 0-15 and a hold after 30-15 made 4-0. The 5th game went through 30-30, and deuce, to at least one add-BL, but FV got the break: 5-0. Sometime after 15-15, FV held for the set, and match: 6-0. YEA!
- Although the match may have been closer than the score indicates, it looks like this GREAT TEAM of Fusai/Vis is playing very well and cruising sweetly!
- In 3rd Round, Fusai/Vis may well be more tested, as it involves seeded vs. seeded - specifically: Alexandra Fusai/Caroline Vis (seeded #16) vs. Virginia Ruano Pascual/Paola Suarez (seeded #2). This match could play like a Final, with much intensity - and Fusai/Vis will WIN!
- Win again, Fusai/Vis, WIN AGAIN!
- And HAVE FUN!
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- Monday 6/3/02
- Well, Alexandra had kind-of a bad day in Paris today - on-court, at least. But maybe off-court her day was GREAT! I hope so! And I hope even the on-court time was at least some FUN!
- ANYWAY: Today, at the Roland Garros (French Open), it was 3rd Round Main Draw Women's Doubles: Alexandra Fusai/Caroline Vis (seeded #16) vs. Virginia Ruano Pascual/Paola Suarez (seeded #2), and 2nd Round Main Draw Mixed Doubles: Alexandra Fusai/Julien Varlet (unseeded) vs. Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario/Jared Palmer (seeded #1).
- The tennis day in Paris started at 11am, basically, Paris time (5am here). On Court #2, there was a Girl's Singles in which an unseeded French girl came very close to defeating a seeded American, in 3 sets (for some, basically unknown, reason I am not naming names here). Then it was Women's Doubles: Fusai/Vis vs. Pascual/Suarez. (Actually it's probably Ruano Pascaul/Suarez - but, whatever, certainly no disrespect intended, ok?)
- Well, Pascual/Suarez d. Fusai/Vis: 6-1, 6-0. Oh well....
- It went like this (PS served 1st): 0-1, 0-2, 0-3, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5, 1-6, 0-1, 0-2, 0-3, 0-4, 0-5, 0-6. Oh well....
- Some detail was acquired from the Java Scoreboard, but the Netcam provided more info (no good pics, though).
- In the 1st set, PS went through 15-15 to 40-15, and held: 0-1. Then FV came back from 0-15 and 15-30 to 30-30, but were broken: 0-2. PS then went down 0-40, but came back to hold: 0-3. The next game seemed to pass through 4 deuces, as follows: 15-15, 15-30, 30-30, 30-40, deuce, add-PS, deuce, add-PS, deuce, add-FV, deuce, add-FV, hold: 1-3. PS then held (no details): 1-4. Then FV went through 15-0 to 15-40, and were broken: 1-5. Then PS were serving for the set, but FV were not done, as this next game seemed to go: 30-15, 40-30, deuce, add-FV, deuce, add-FV, deuce, add-PS, hold: 1-6. Oh well....
- In the 2nd set, FV were broken through 0-15 and 15-30: 0-1. Then PS held through 15-0, 15-15, and 30-15: 0-2. FV were then broken through 0-15 and 15-40, and PS held through 15-0, 30-15, and 40-15: 0-4. FV were then broken through 15-15 and 15-30, and PS held through 0-15, 15-15, 30-15, 30-30, and 40-30: 0-6. Oh well....
- OK: this loss is not real surprising, 'cause PS is an established team (WTA ranked #4 and #3), and Suarez is playing especially well lately (she is playing Singles Quarters tomorrow), and #2 d. #16 is certainly not news, but the score indicates that Fusai/Vis did not play as well as they are capable of playing, for some reason. But even GREAT teams like Fusai/Vis have bad days, so that's ok. Mostly, I hope there's no implication of injury, and I hope it was at least some FUN!
- Then, about 4 hours later, it was 2nd Round Mixed Doubles: Fusai/Varlet (unseeded) vs. Vicario/Palmer (seeded #1). (Ok, probably Sanchez-Vicario/Palmer, but oh well....)
- This match was originally scheduled for Court Lenglen, but was actually played on Court #7.
- Well, Vicario/Palmer d. Fusai/Varlet: 6-2, 6-0. Oh well....
- It went like this (Fusai/Varlet served 1st): 0-1, 0-2, 0-3, 1-3, 1-4, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 0-1, 0-2, 0-3, 0-4, 0-5, 0-6. Oh well....
- There was no Netcam, and the Java Scoreboard details, as usual lately, were sketchy. Oh well... (Maybe that's good?)
- In the 1st set, FV were broken after 15-0, then VP held after 15-0: 0-2. Then another break of FV brought 0-3, but a break of VP made 1-3. Then FV went up 40-15, but VP got another break through at least 2 deuces on at least their 2nd chance: 1-4. VP were then broken, again: 2-4. Then FV were broken after 0-30, and VP held: 2-6. Oh well....
- In the 2nd set, Fusai/Varlet, serving, went down 15-30, came back to deuce, but were broken: 0-1. The 2nd game also passed through deuce, at least once, but VP held: 0-2. Then FV went up 15-0, the game went to deuce at least once, and FV were broken again: 0-3. Then VP went up 30-0, and held: 0-4. Then FV went up 40-30, but it went to deuce, then it was add-FV, but VP got the break, perhaps after the 2nd deuce: 0-5. VP then held after 30-0: 0-6. Oh well....
- SO: Seed #1 d. unseeded - not a shocker! Even so, it looks like it was (on court, at least) a bad day for Fusai/Varlet (is that a rhyme?). At least, I hope it was some FUN!
- This means Alexandra is now done playing in this year's Roland Garros.
- This was a FINE Roland Garros for Alexandra! The Wild-Card into the Main Draw Singles was entirely appropriate and deserved. The 1st Round Singles match (although, ultimately, a loss) showed Alexandra clearly playing at a level far above her current ranking. That Fusai/Vis was seeded, in Main Draw Women's Doubles, was also entirely appropriate and deserved (although I would have put them far above #16). The victories in the first two Rounds were very impressive indeed (although over unseeded teams), and the 3rd Round loss, to the #2 seeds, is (hopefully) not any real indication of a real problem. Fusai/Vis will likely take it to Pascual/Suarez, GREATLY, next time!
- And that Alexandra decided to participate in Mixed is a GOOD THING! The victory over Capriati/Capriati was SWEET! And the loss to the #1 seeds, despite the score, is no biggie: playing was clearly done!
- Now there is the brief interlude before Wimbledon. In this meantime, Alexandra can get some EXCELLENT Singles wins, Fusai/Vis can get some EXCELLENT Doubles wins, and maybe there will be Fusai/Varlet again in London!
- (Or maybe Alexandra, and/or Caroline, will decide some time off is more FUN! No biggie there, fer shure!)
- (By the way: Congratulations, Caroline, on your nice Mixed victory today!)
- Take care, Alexandra, and BE HAPPY!
- And HAVE FUN!
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- Go: to next AF 2002 History: click here!