-
- Monday 6/22/98
- Alexandra won! Fusai over Katarina Studenikova 6-3, 6-2!
- Good going, Alexandra!
- It went like this: 1-0, 2-0, 2-1, 3-1, 3-2, 4-2, 4-3, 5-3, 6-3, 1-0, 1-1, 2-1, 3-1, 4-1, 4-2, 5-2, 6-2.
- The game after 4-3 had Alexandra serving and down 15-40. She came back to win it! Turning point #1.
- Then the 1st and 3rd games of the second set had Alexandra serving and both went to deuce and on and on. She won them both. Turning points #2 and #3. And the final game also looked very hard-fought. She won it, of course!
- A very good match! She won the easy ones, and the hard ones too!
- Vive La Femme Francais! You're rollin' now!
- At Corel, Alexandra's singles ranking fell slightly, from #40 to #41, but her doubles ranking improved, from #10 to #8!
-
- Tuesday 6/23/98
- Alexandra vs. Monica Seles is the 3rd match on Centre Court tomorrow (Wednesday). The 1st match on that court is at 2 pm. Alexandra's match will probably start noonish EastCoast US time. Then there's the weather...
- Alexandra can beat Seles! And I hope she does. And it's ok if she makes it one of her 3-set "heart-attack" matches. But 6-0, 6-0 would be ok, too!
- Around the same time that Alexandra is playing, her doubles partner, Natalie Tauziat, will also be having a tough 2nd round match against Iva Majoli.
- Go, girls, go!
- Vive La Femme Francais! You're rollin' now!
-
- Wednesday 6/24/98
- Well: Alexandra lost to Monica Seles 1-6, 1-6. Oh well.
- It seemed much closer than that score indicates. Many games went to deuce. Alexandra had many winners. Double faults (8!) were a problem, though.
- Now she can show those Limeys how doubles is played!
- (By the way: Natalie had a much easier time with Majoli than Seles had with Alexandra.)
- Next: doubles tomorrow!
- Go, girls, go!
- Vive La Femme Francais!
-
- Thursday 6/25/98
- Alexandra and Natalie didn't get to play doubles today due to weather. Maybe tomorrow?
- Alexandra is paired with David Adams in mixed doubles. They are seeded 8th. Their 1st match is vs. Kristie Boogert/Marius Barnard.
- You can still have a wonderful Wimbledon, Alexandra!
- Make some doubles history! Win both Ladies and Mixed!
- Most important: have fun!
-
- Friday 6/26/98
- Alexandra's match didn't happen today, due to weather. Maybe tomorrow?
- Alexandra is scheduled for two matches tomorrow, both doubles (of course!).
- You can still have a wonderful Wimbledon, Alexandra!
- Make some doubles history! Win both Ladies and Mixed! And on the same day!
- Most important: have fun!
-
- Saturday 6/27/98
- Alexandra and Natalie got off to a good start today. Then it rained.
- They took the first set easily and impressively, 6-2, and looked about to go up a break to 3-1 in the second set when the rain came with the game at deuce.
- Weather permitting, we'll see what happens on Monday.
- Fusai/Tauziat rules!
- And remember: have fun!
-
- Monday 6/29/98
- Alexandra and Natalie won today! They started at 6-2, 2-1 and won it 6-2, 6-3!
- Way to go, girls! And Alexandra served the final game!
- Tomorrow, Alexandra is scheduled to play both kinds of doubles. Win twice, Alexandra, ok?
- And have fun!
-
- Tuesday 6/30/98
- Alexandra had a bad day today. She lost - twice.
- It started with her mixed match with David Adams. They let the first set slip by then took the second set handily. The third set was total war, especially the last 6 games. The score: 4-6, 6-3, 3-6. She clearly fought like a tiger (maybe a Detroit Tiger?) in that third set, but, oh well.
- Next, about an hour later, was her Fusai/Tauziat match against who? Unknown! They played against a team that had just won minutes earlier. It was a strange situation, to put it mildly. Alexandra's serve still seemed to be a problem. They lost 6-2, 6-1.
- Maybe Alexandra has been having "too much" fun lately. (I accept blame.)
- So: Alexandra is now done as a player at Wimbledon this year. I suspect she will continue as a spectator, at least as long as Natalie is in the singles and/or mixed doubles.
- I can't find her committed to the Prague or the Marie Lankowitz next week, or the Warsaw or Palermo the week after that. Then she is VERY committed to the Fed Cup that next week. Maybe practice your serve, Alexandra?
- Anyway: Alexandra is still the most beautiful girl playing great tennis these days, or ever! And she's improving (in tennis and beauty!).
- To quote Ray Davies' (very happy!) song: LIVE LIFE Alexandra!
-
- Friday 7/3/98
- Alexandra had the third fastest women's official serve-in-play at Wimbledon this year! When she gets it in it's a monster! She needs to get it in more often, though.
- Alexandra's doubles partner, Natalie Tauziat is making her own "best year yet" quite good: she plays for that big tray tomorrow. I think she can really do it; but not easily. "Easily" is just not French, I guess.
- I thought it odd that there was no mention of Alexandra during Natalie's INCREDIBLE win yesterday; but it was truly all Natalie's win, as I hope will happen tomorrow.
- At least, I hope Alexandra is seeing that "things" are possible; and she can be in that Wimbledon final, and win, before she is 30 (not that there's anything wrong with being 30!).
- The French World Cup win today probably has Natalie very pumped up; she is a huge "football" fan.
- I hope Alexandra is there to see Natalie, and France, win tomorrow. (And I hope she's shown on the air as a part of, at least, Natalie's "training" in net play.)
- Whatever happens tomorrow: if you want "pressure" or "importance", then there's Fed Cup, eh?!
- Anyway: "Live life! See it through! Carry on! It's all you can do!"
-
- Tuesday 7/7/98
- Alexandra is apparently taking about a couple weeks off to prepare for Fed Cup. Make cheese of those Swiss, ok, Frogs? (And win World Cup!)
- Corel reported yesterday that Alexandra's singles ranking has held steady at #41, and her doubles ranking has actually improved from #8 to #7!
- Also: Natalie: you did FINE, very very FINE!
- And: Alexandra: enjoy your "vacation"! Maybe go to the beach?
- Alexandra is seeded #13 at the Stanford, which starts July 27th.
- Then she's in the San Diego qualifying the week after that.
- Alexandra's gonna be a California Girl for a bit, eh?
- Anyway: "Live life! See it through! Carry on! It's all you can do!"
-
- Friday 7/17/98
- Alexandra's WTA singles ranking improved slightly from #41 to #40. Her doubles ranking remained at #7.
- Allez Le Bleu!
-
- Tuesday 7/21/98
- Alexandra's WTA singles ranking remained at #40 and her doubles ranking remained at #7. I have no problem with that: 'cause she's not playing!
- Allez Les Bleus!
-
- Sunday 7/26/98
- Aside from a probable abundance of chocolate, I suspect Alexandra didn't have a lot of fun in Switzerland this weekend.
- Although her Fed Cup teammates, Julie Halard-Decugis and Amelie Mauresmo both played very well, they didn't play well enough to beat Martina Hingis or Patty Schnyder.
- Even Fusai/Tauziat couldn't take more than 1 set (the 1st) from Gagliardi/Schnyder.
- So now it's probably on to California, probably San Diego in about a week. (Possibly Stanford starting tomorrow, but that's unlikely.)
-
- Tuesday 8/4/98
- Alexandra made her first ever appearance at the Toshiba by skipping qualifying and advancing into the main draw as a wild-card. Impressive!
- Her 1st round match was vs. Iva Majoli: well, she lost 7-6(1), 6-3. She clearly fought like, um, Alexandra, in that 1st set. I don't know what happened in the 2nd; maybe she was thinking doubles?
- To put this in perspective: the future shows Alexandra as #19 main draw seed and Majoli as #9 in L.A. next week. The following week, in Montreal, Alexandra is again a main-draw seed (#35) but Majoli is #16 there. The following week, in New Haven, Alexandra is currently listed as the #6 qualifier; that may change (Majoli is skipping this, apparently). Then, at the US Open the week after that Alexandra is seeded #40 and Majoli is #20.
- I bet Majoli hopes very much she doesn't have to face Alexandra again any time soon!
- Fusai/Tauziat are playing vs. Capriati/Paz as I write this. Fusai/Tauziat are seeded #2; Capriati/Paz are WC. (Paz is a former Alexandra partner.)
- Alexandra: please have fun and be happy; life is more than tennis. You know that! (But don't give Majoli or anyone else any slack: you can beat them all! Hingis hasn't played a match until you have beat her!)
-
- Wednesday 8/5/98
- Fusai/Tauziat defeated Capriati/Paz 7-6(5), 6-2. Yea!
- Next is Fusai/Tauziat vs. Chanda Rubin/Irina Spirlea, probably tomorrow.
- Slam 'em, Frenchies!
-
- Friday 8/7/98
- Fusai/Tauziat defeated Rubin/Spirlea 1-6, 6-4, 6-0. Yea!
- Looks like they got off to a slow start, but then clearly showed who's BOSS, and in no uncertain terms!
- Next is Fusai/Tauziat vs. Elena Tatarkova/Inea Gorrochategui (that's a mouthful!) or Yayuk Basuki/Caroline Vis, tomorrow.
- Roll on, FrogsLegs!
-
- Sunday 8/9/98
- Fusai/Tauziat defeated Tatarkova/Gorrochategui 6-2, 6-2. Impressive! Yea!
- Next is vs. Davenport/Zvereva later today and then it's on to the Acura! Go with a win, ok, girls!
- (By the way: Alexandra's Corel doubles ranking fell from #7 to #8 last Monday, but that's no big deal, and will probably be "corrected" tomorrow.)
- Fusai/Tauziat rule!
-
- Monday 8/10/98
- Fusai/Tauziat lost to Davenport/Zvereva 6-2, 6-1. Oh well.
- Davenport was hot yesterday.
- At least Alexandra's Corel doubles ranking bopped back to #7 today!
-
- Friday 8/14/98
- Well, I finally solved some computer problems and figured out the LA story. It is some good - mostly not.
- First: Alexandra moved to 2nd round with a defeat of Alexandra Stevenson 6-3, 6-3. (That's good!)
- Then: Fusai/Tauziat lost to Gorrochatgui/Graham 4-6, 6-1, 3-6. (Uh-oh!)
- Then: Fusai lost to Tauziat 3-6, 3-6. (Good for Natalie, at least!)
- Next is the du Maurier in Montreal. I think it is very Canadian for a cigarette company to sponsor a tennis tournament. Actually, I like du Mauriers a lot, but they are expensive (both here and there). Mostly I smoke Camel Wide Lights.
- Alexandra: as you fly over my house, about 3/4ths of the way on your LA-Montreal flight, please wave. I'll wave back, ok?
-
- Sunday 8/16/98
- Alexandra's first match in Montreal is vs. Anna Kournikova, the Boo-Hoo Baby.
- Make her cry, Alexandra!
- (Doubles draw still undetermined.)
-
- Tuesday 8/18/98
- Well, Alexandra lost to Kournikova 2-6, 4-6. But it was closer than it looks from that score, and Alexandra actually did quite well, at least in the 2nd set. And it was televised (in Canada) in prime-time from Center Court.
- It went like this (with Kournikova serving first): 0-1, 0-2, 0-3, 1-3, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 0-1, 1-1, 2-1, 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, 4-3, 4-4, 4-5, 4-6.
- The first set was as much of a wipe-out (or more) as it looks, but the second set was another thing entirely!
- Kournikova served the first game of that second set, and won it, but not until Alexandra had taken it to deuce at least twice.
- Then Alexandra won 3 in a row handily to lead 3-1.
- Then with Kournikova serving, and leading 40-15, Alexandra fought back to advantage-Fusai, but lost, and had her service broken in a quick game to make it 3-3.
- With Kournikova serving again, and leading 40-0, Alexandra fought back to win and reclaim the lead 4-3.
- Then Kournikova won 3 in a row to finish the match, but not easily, as 2 of those 3 clearly went to deuce at least once. The last game was especially long, as Alexandra obviously fought her heart out to the last point.
- So Alexandra learned a bit more about how to win games from Kournikova. Next time, Cry-Baby, watch-out!
- Fusai/Tauziat are seeded #2 and drew a bye in the first round.
-
- Thursday 8/20/98
- Fusai/Tauziat defeated Coetzer/Huber 7-5, 4-6, 6-3. Yea!
- I had some computer problems while monitoring the match, but it seemed to go like this (with Fusai/Tauziat serving first): 1-0, 1-1, 1-2, 2-2, 2-3, 3-3, 3-4, 3-5, 4-5, 5-5, 6-5, 7-5, 1-0, 1-1, 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 3-3, 3-4, 4-4, 4-5, 4-6, 1-0, 2-0, 3-0, 3-1, 3-2, 4-2, 5-2, 5-3, 6-3.
- It was a fairly tough match, with many service breaks and many long games, especially in the first two sets.
- There were two impressive factors, though: 1) down 3-5 in the first set, they won 4 straight to take it, and, 2) they quickly won the first 3 of the 3rd to go up 3-0.
- In other words, they truly showed "winning form"!
- Next is vs. Grande/Testud.
- Win again, eh, girls?
-
- Saturday 8/22/98
- Fusai/Tauziat defeated Grande/Testud 6-1, 6-2 sometime Friday (somehow I missed it). Testud was probably very tired. Even so: Yea!
- Today it was Fusai/Tauziat vs. Basuki/Vis for the finals tomorrow.
- FT served the first game, but lost, in a game that went to deuce at least once.
- The second game also went to deuce, at least once, but BV held.
- FT won the 3rd, although this game also went to deuce at least once.
- So FT were down 1-2 and BV were serving the 4th game. It went on a LONG time; probably many times deuce. BV won.
- Then FT served and won easily to catch up a bit, 2-3.
- Then they quickly lost 3 to end the 1st set 2-6.
- They served, and won easily, the first game of the 2nd set.
- Then they quickly lost 2 to go down 1-2.
- Then it was suddenly all over and BV had won. I don't know why!
- The obvious implication is that one of them retired injured. Very scary!
- New Haven, next week, might provide some info.
- Alexandra (or Natalie or anyone): if you can provide me with some info then I can post it to your many fans who check this site daily (anonymous, if you prefer). Send me mail: click here!
- Anyway, next is New Haven, I hope!
-
- Go to more 1998 AF News: click here!