WOW!
Jelena is back with avengence! I must apologise for my delay in updating this page. This is not due to lack of reports from Alain and team, just down to sheer laziness on my behalf. Sorry!
So. Wimbledon 2000. What a run for Jelena this year. She defeated German player Arn in straight sets 6-1; 7-6. Next she met Spanish Leon Garcia and again won 7-6; 6-1.
Her next victim was the American Rippner. Jelena cruised past her in a 6-2; 6-1 victory. Her game versus the massive Serna proved no problem to the young Australian. A 6-3; 6-2 victory led her into the semi finals. Down to the last four, it was unfortunate that Jelena was drawn to meet the defending champion of 1999, Lindsay Davenport.
This of course, meant a Williams sister semi final, which Venus proved to be the stronger in a 6-4; 7-6 victory.
As I write this, the Dokic-Davenport game is in progress. Davenport took the first set 6-4.
Review of Jelena's US Open performance by Alain Desmier
30 August 1999
Well I certainly wanted to be writing a longer tournament report than this, but at the end of the day I feel it was inevitable. Jelena Dokic fresh from her incredible run at Wimbledon against Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, the Spanish warrior.
If I had to sum up this match in just one word it would be, frustrating. Jelena at one stage was 4-1 up and looked to be cruising to another seed crushing victory. Jelena was playing with the might and courage that had earned her a quarterfinal spot at Wimbledon. Vicario was being beaten to every ball, until Arantxa decided enough was enough and brought the score back to 4-4. Jelena’s confidence suddenly disappeared and she won a very shaky service game before Vicario again levelled the score at 5-5.
Arantxa turned on the style and won the next two games to win the set. It was not all over and my mind turned to the Kremer match at Wimbledon when Jelena came back from a set down to win the game.
I prayed for a repeat, but it was not to be. The first game set the mood for the set, Jelena losing her service game! Vicario cruised to the set 6-1 and really Jelena never even deserved to come close to the gritty Spaniard.
Jelena had 45 unforced errors, that is to say, balls that Jelena simply didn’t mange to return to Vicario in play. That kind of figure is not good enough to win anything, never mind a first round grand slam match. Not only was it the unforced errors that were cause for concern but the fact that Jelena won only 29% of possible points on her second serve. I am sure Jelena will be the first one to hold her hand up and take full blame, however she must realise that unforced errors are no good to anyone and fix the problem. I don’t thinks its confidence, maybe nerves or pressure.
This is not a disaster, there is no need to panic, as I have said many times before Jelena is still young, she lacks tennis experience that, Vicario, one of the best players in the world has bags and bags of. (Vicario also has a face that would scare any man!)
The critics will now of course say that Wimbledon was a one hit wonder for Miss Dokic, but Jelena needs to take that in her stride. She now knows, after playing and losing to Martinez and Vicario what she has to aim for. I never really expected Jelena to do that well here, 4th round if
she was lucky, the Australian open is were the fireworks will really
happen.
On home soil, Jelena’s potential is massive. She has one
more tournament in Tokyo before having a rest and taking on the
world all over again. Her ranking will drop to maybe 50th or beyond,
but as longs as she stays in the top 100, she’ll be fine to qualify
automatically for the Aus open.
Jelena of course is still in the doubles, but I can’t see that being very productive.
Australian teenager Jelena Dokic was unable to duplicate her Wimbledon giant-killing performance at the US Open at Flushing Meadows on Monday, then attributed her first-round loss to the rules that prevent her from playing more tournaments on the women's tour.
Dokic, 16, was given a lesson in patience and tactics, losing 7-5
6-1 to Spaniard Arantxa Sanchez Vicario.
Dokic, last year's US Open junior champion, broke the world No10
twice to race to a 4-1 lead in the first set.
Then, her game spectacularly fell apart.
"Too many forced errors," a subdued Dokic said after the match.
"I think I just gave the match away - just gave a lot away."
The Sydney youngster believes she was under-prepared for the tournament, having been restricted by the WTA's age eligibility rules to playing just three competitions in the past four months.
At Wimbledon, she had come off a lead-up tournament, then played her way through the qualifiers before beating No1 seed Martina Hingis in the first round on her way to the quarter-finals.
"But I haven't played that much since Wimbledon," Dokic said. "I'm not blaming this on the age eligibility rule. I just sort of feel like I didn't feel comfortable enough, like I did at Wimbledon when I had played a lot."
WTA rules, enacted to help prevent early burnout or exploitation of young players, limit 16-year-old players to 10 tournaments a year, plus the season-ending championships, if they qualify, and three exhibitions.
"I don't know if it's having a negative effect, but I think knowing you've got five tournaments for the next eight months, that's like one tournament in two months," Dokic said. "That's a big difference from most of the players, who can play as much as they want."
Sanchez Vicario, a former world No1, did not allow the young Australian to feel comfortable after the fifth game.
The determined baseliner saw that Dokic was comfortable when allowed to stand and deliver from the baseline, so began to work the angles and take the pace off the ball to make her opponent play her shots on the move.
It proved a winning tactic. Dokic lost all rhythm, spraying the ball long, wide and into the net.
DU MAURIER REPORT BY ALAIN DESMIER
Just when I was beginning to get my hopes up of a Jelena Vs Hingis quarterfinal, my dream was shattered. Jelena lost her match today to Conchita Martinez, which by no means is an embarrassment, considering that Martinez is seeded 12th. Jelena gave her all today but was defeated in a cruel three set match.
Jelena in the first set was 4-2 down and looked to have forfeited the set to her opponent. Jelena defended two set points and went on to win the set on a tiebreak 7-5. It seemed that all the work and adrenaline in the first set took its toll on Jelena and she went down in the second 1-6. With Conchita on a roll things were always going to be difficult. The third set seemed to be going the same way the second went, and at 1-3 up Martinez was beginning to coast.
In an amazing comeback Jelena won 3 straight games to take the score to 4-3. At this point I really thought that this remarkable young lady would claim yet another victim to add to her already impressive collection. However it wasn’t to be and Conchita Martinez came back to take the set and match 7-5 1-6 4-6.
So now Jelena can turn her attention to the US open. She can use the Du Maurier as a stepping stone, something to learn from. Her rankings will probably suffer a little, not by much though. At least at the Us Open we will be able to get some proper TV coverage!
Just while we’re on the subject of the Us open, the draw will be made on the 25th August, so not long to go.
'DOKIC SCOOPED BY STEVENSON'
Stevenson, 18, won the battle of the girlies with a 6-3 1-6 6-3 victory of Jelena Dokic and that ensured two miserable moments for the Dokics at the hands of the Stevensons. Jelena, 16, suffered when her dad Damir was portrayed as an ogre after his drunken antics last month. The bearded Serb was arrested after lying down in the road and blaming tournament officials for the NATO bombing of Belgrade. And who broke the story to the press? Alexandra's journalist mum Samantha - at the tournament to watch her daughter. Mum was certainly pleased with her daughter after she rattled off 15 aces in yesterday's quarter final.
Alexandra, who graduated from high school last month, is guaranteed £96,690 in her first pro tournament. She said, "I've waited for this my whole life. I realise I've made history. It's awesome." Alexandra has becomeonly the second qualifier in the open era to reach a women's Grand Slam semi-final and is the first to do so at Wimbledon.
Stevenson, who wants to be in the movies when she quits tennis, has written a Hollywood script. The girl, who once starred in a production of the Wizard of Oz, loves being the centre of attention and curtsies to the crowds after her wins. The match against Dokic began on Court two on Thursday, was switched to Court One as darkness fell only to be called off again due to rain in the warm up. Stevenson powered to victory in the first set on Thursday but was 5-1 down when play resumed yesterday. Dokic, conqueror of Hingis and Pierce, held her sserve to clinch the second set but then Stevenson took just 30 minutes to seal the third set and earn a semi final with fellow American Lindsay Davenport.
She said, "I was very excited when I got moved to Court One, my first big show court. Against Lindsay, I'll play as hard as I can and give it my best." Dokic groaned, "I'll have to catch up with my schoolwork now but Wimbledon has been good for me and hopefully you will see a lot more of Jelena Dokic". Stevenson has refused to confirm the identity of her father as basketball player Julius Winfield Erving II. But the Californain teenager said, "All the speculation hasn't affected my game. I have focused on my tennis and haven't read any newspapers." She obviously leaves that, and the writing of them, to mum Samantha.
'DOKIC SET TO SERVE UP MORE PROGRESS'
Teenage sensation Jelena Dokic was today able to sit back and watch Americans Lisa Raymond and Alexandra Stevenson prepare to battle it out for the right to meet her at the Wimbledon quater finals. Dokic confessed to having wondered whether her shock, first-round demolition of top seed Martina Hingis was simply a flash in the pan.
But having made it past the challenges of Studenikova and Kremer, she proved herself again by conquering ninth seed Mary Pierce of France in a relatively comfortable victory after trailing 0-3 in the first set. Dokic also revealed that Graf has been giving her tips as the two of them knocked up recently. Dokic said that she would watch the Stevenson/Raymond match to "figure out what I am going to do" said the 16 year old Australian.
"Having beaten Hingis in the first round, there was a litle bit pof pressure on me to win a few more rounds, but having won the next few rounds and then beaten Mary, I proved I am able to beat the top players," she declared. "It's great for my confidence, you've got to think that you're unbeatable. You try to think positively and that's what I'm doing right now."
She continued to say, "It's anyone's match, anyone's tournament - anyone has a chance." Previously ranked 129th, Jelena is expected to have worked up to a place in the 40's or 30's but if she is to make the semi-finals, there will be tough oppostition for her. Novotna and Davenport are both very eager to take the title this year.
'WHAT'S UP DOK?'
Wimbledon wondergirl crushed Mary Pierce 6-4 6-3 and set her sights on reaching the final. Aussie teenager Dokic trailed 4-1 before overwhelming the No 9 seed to reach the last eight. Qualifier Dokic had already stunned the crowds with a straights set win over world no 1 Martina Hingis.
Dokic admitted: "Qualififying and getting to the quarter finals is pretty good but I want more than that and will hopefully go a bit further." She continued to say that, "After beating Hingis in the first round there was pressure to win more games. This is the biggest thing to eve happen to me, the greatest two weeks of my lif and, hopefully, that will continue."
Dokic, who has been staying in a £59-a-night budget hotel with her father Damir, mum Liliana and little brother Savo, is at least assured of a £50,280 pay for reaching the last eight. The world junior champion of 1998 is set to meet the winner of the unseeded Lisa Raymond or American teenager Alexandra Stevenson, who only turned professional last week.
If she can beat Hingis and Pierce, neither should prove a problem. Starting sluggishly in her Pierce match, the Dokic fairytale looked to be over as dark clouds loomed overhead. But suddenly all changed. Jelena took advantage and raced away to take the first set in 35 minutes. She encouraged herself on, shouting "Come on!" with every won point and glancing warily in the direction of her father in the stand. After the match she said she was glad to have taken the first set and blamed her slow start on the fact that she hadn't played Mary before. "I think I played well to beat Mary," Dokic commented, "the better the opponent, the better you play and I think she is definitely a big hitter and a big server."
When asked what would happen if she met Graf in a game (after Graf has been giving the young Australian tips) Dokic laughed and said that if that was to happen it would be very tough. While the little star shined, Pierce grudgingly said, "Only time will tell if she is just a flash in the pan or not. She is a good fighter and hit some good shots when she was in trouble.
'JEL's GIVING THEM HELL'
Wimbledon wondergirl Jelena Dokic began the week as the sweet little 16-year-old with the father from hell but she ends her first week at Wimbledon as the opponent from hell - the one the rest want to avoid.
Who knows what we'll be calling her this time next week. Champion? Don't bet against it. Her first round destruction of Swiss Hingis was no fluke, this kid can play and she has what it takes to grind it out when the going gets tough. The blonde haired Aussie-Serb showed fisht as she battled into the second week.
Dokic lost a tense first set tie break edged out at 9-7 by Luxembourg's only professional, Anne Kremer. This didn't downheart Dokic as she responded in magnificent style, claiming the second set 6-3, took the decisive thire set 6-4 and guaranteed herself a bumper £26,280 cheque, reaching the fourth round and now meets Mary Pierce, the ninth seed.
Jelena said of her dramatic fightback, "You always have to think positive and be determined. My chances depend on wheter I can win the next match, which will give me more confidence. Once it gets to the last eight, anything can happen." But she played down her prospects of going all the way, adding, "I don't think anyone can expect me to win it. We're only in the fourth round and I don't want to pressure myself. I think I've done quite well to get here so far." She has captured the hearts of Wimbledon fans and they are willing her all the way.
JELENA IN CHEAT STORM
Jelena Dokic's fgather has been accused of courtside coaching at Wimbledon but Damir Dokic's actions were missed by the umpire Christina Olausson and the officials who could have thrown the 16-year-old Aussie sensation out of the tournament.
TV commentator Pam Shriver rold viewers: "Jelena is looking up at her father and he looks to be telling her to hit the ball and move in. Now that's not good, encouragement is fine but signalling is bad." Serbian Damir, 40, was clearly seen making illegal gestures to his daughter during her nail biting 6-0 4-6 8-6 second round win over Slovakian Kataria Studenikova.
Only two days earlier Jelena had caused the biggest upset in the history of thew tournament when she blasted past top seed, Martina Hingis. Rule 31 of the ITF Rules Of Tennis clearly state: "A player may not receive coaching during play. The provisions of this rule may be strictly construed."
The umpire must take action as soon as he or she becomes aware that coaching is being given verbally or by signals. After due warning, an offending palyed may be disqualified."
Afterwards, Jelena treid to play down the fracas when she said, "Yes, I guess I was looking up at my dad far more today but there were no signs. I mean, he wasn't telling me how to play." Just three weeks ago her father, a former boxer, spent two hours in a prison cell after being ejected from the DFS Classic in Birmingham fo foul and abusive language. Yesterday his daughter had a bit of trouble on court.
Against Studenikova, Dokic showed that she had the resilience, courage and spirit to fight back. In a heart-stopping third set the girl from Fairfield, Aus discovered resourtces that a kid her age should have no right to possess. Trailing 4-2, she immediately hit back to break the Studenikova serve for 4-3. But it was in the next game that she showed how brave she was. Three break points were saved to prevent the Slovakian opponent taking a 5-3 lead that, with Studenikova's serve to follow, would have confined Dokic's Wimbledon to a short, sweet story rather than the blockbuster it may become.
Dokic then broke for 5-4, lost her own serve going for the match , broke again, lost her own serve again, broke again - and finally served out for 8-6 and a third-round match with Luxembourg's Anne Kremer.
'JELENA NOW IN SHARP FOCUS'
Teenager Jelena Dokic comes under the spotlight again today as she attempts to keep up the momentum of her shock victory against top seed Hingis by making it through to the Wimbledon third round. Sixteen-year-old Dokic produced one of Wimbledon's greatest upsets in history when she defeated the world number one 6-2 6-0 on Tuesday 22nd June.
On her return to SW19 yesterday to take part in the women's doubles match, she again proved victorious and admitted that the enormity of her achievement in beating Hingis was only just starting to sink in. However, as she prepared to face Katarina Studenikova on court 13 today, the Australian insisted she was determined not to rest on her laurels and instead make further progress in the singles event.
'AN INTERVIEW AFTER THE HINGIS DEFEAT' - From Wimbledon site
When asked what her strategy was to beat Hingis, the Yugoslavian-born, Australian citizen joked, "Hit winners and no errors."
In actuality, that wasn't really a joke, but just about how Dokic went about winning.
At every juncture of the match, Hingis was clearly outclassed by Dokic, who won the 1998 US. Open junior title and was ranked the No. 1 junior girl last year.
Hingis never infiltrated Dokic's serve, failing to take advantage of two break points during the match. In contrast, Dokic made Hingis look more the amateur than the best in the business, tearing apart her game stroke by stroke. Hingis, who really looked out of the match in the second set, lost her serve five of the 12 break point chances she offered.
While Dokic created the biggest story at this Wimbledon by pushing Hingis to the sidelines, she isn't planning on creating an even bigger story by taking the women's title at the end of the fortnight.
"Just because I beat Hingis doesn't mean I have to come out and win the tournament," Dokic said. "It's going to be tough to come out and play again."
TEENAGER JELENA IS IN THE MONEY
Jelena Dokic is ready to be the next teenaged tennis millionairess. The Australian, who emigrated Down Under from Yugoslavia with her family in 1994, defeated world number one Martina Hingis yesterday 6-2 6-0 in the biggest first round upset in Wimbledon history.
The win could unlock untold riches for the qualifier, who became the seventh youngest player at 16 years to bear a world number one in Wimbledon's Open era. The shock waves were still reverberating around Wimbledon late last night as some of tennis's top stars predicted a golden future for Jelena. And in pole postition was Sokic's Aussie compatriot Pat Rafter, who revealed that half of the tennis talent from Australia and America had gathered in the dressing room to cheer her on.
"It was great, she played fantastic (sic)," said Rafter. "She hasn't had too many good performances this year but that was very, very impressive out there. If she plays anything like that in the future there's no reason why she can't go on and do very well." He continued to say, "There hasn't been as much interest in the locker room since Graf lost to McNeil in 1994."
But maybe Hingis's own verdict was the most valid. "She is very good. She is talented," said Hingis. "She was the number one junior last yearm and this win will definitely give her some confidence." Hinigs, who said she needed a "complete break" from the game, later withdrew from the doubles event, where she was to have partnered Russian Anna Kournikova, citing a "recurring medical complaint".
Dokis paid tribut to the influence of her father Damir - the so called tennis dad-from-hell who was ejected in a tournament in Edgbaston for supporting her too vocally an carted off to cool down in a police station to cool down when he lay down to protest. She said, "I owe my dad a lot He knows what I have to work on and what I have to face and having him there helps. He's been a big influence on me. He was out of words. It's still hard to believe that I have beatewn Martina but I have to keep my feet on the ground because anything can happen in the next match."
She plays Slovakian Katarina Studenikova in the second round.
JELE BABE
Top seed Martina Hingis blamed her mum's absence yesterday after being sensationally knocked out in the first round at Wimbledon yester by an unknown 16-year-old schoolgirl. Serb-born Jelena Dokic thrashed the world no1 6-2 6-0 in one of the tournament's biggest ever upsets. Martina, 18, said: "I felt very alone as I walked out on the court without my mum being there." I haven't seen her for four or five days and when I tried to speak to her on the mobile phone today, I couldn't get through. I wanted to become more independant, I wanted to try by myself. We discussed it last week and we decided to have a little bit of distance between us." She then added, "Heavy defeats happen to everyone at some time and I am not that disappointed. I don't think the crowd were against me - I just gave them nothing to clap about. I missed some easy shots which I couldn't afford to do. She was too good for me."
Jelena is only the second person in 115 years to beat a top seed in the first round. Unseeded American Lori McNeil ousted reigning champion Steffi Graf in 1994.
The girl was absolutely fearless. With her blonde ponytail swinging in the air, she cut Martina to pieces with a display of attacking tennis similar to that of Monica Seles with her double fisted backhand that crucified Martina. With the Swiss girl growing increasingly bemused and the crowd increaingly open-mouthed, Jelena raced to take the first set 6-2 in 31 minutes. Dad Damir, sitting on his hands, was either on his best behaviour or stunned into shocked silence. Three years ago, he predicted that his daughter would be in the top 30 before she was 18. In the second set, Jelena kept banging the shots from the baseline and Martina didn't win another game, despite having disposed of the young star 6-1 6-2 in the Australian open when they last met. Another 23 minutes and it was all over. Damir climbed slowly to his feet and the crowd on court number one rose in union. Damir put his arm around wife Liliana while son Savo clapped his little heart out. Down on court his daughter celebrated with an outstreatched right arm.
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