Mauresmo Struggles While Henin Finds Form at Dubai Tennis Championships

Dubai, UAE, February 22nd, 2007: Wimbledon champion Amelie Mauresmo struggled to defeat eighth-seeded Slovak Daniela Hantuchova, taking two hours 21 minutes to win 6-3 3-6 6-4 and reach the semi-finals of the Dubai Tennis Championships on Thursday.

Fifth seeded Serb Jelena Jankovic (pictured) also won, beating a weary fourth seeded Martina Hingis 7-6(3) 6-2, third seed Svetlana Kuznetsova enjoyed a comfortable 6-3 6-4 victory over sixth seed Patty Schnyder, and defending champion Justine Henin found her form to overwhelm Eleni Daniilidou 6-0 6-2.

Mauresmo has had problems against Hantuchova in the past, and lost their last meeting in 2004. But she took charge of the first set and swept to a convincing 5-1 lead.

But Hantuchova put on a more positive performance in the second set, attacking well and teasing Mauresmo with some fine passes. A break for 4-2 gave her the set, but she was twice unable to maintain breaks of serve in the third.

Although Hantuchova broke for 1-0 and 3-2, Mauresmo broke back immediately each time, and then earned another decisive break to claim a welcome victory.

“I really felt I was in control of the match in the first set, and then I fell asleep. I wasn’t doing anything in the second set,” said Mauresmo. “Then I was able to, little bit by little bit in the third set, get my rhythm going a little bit better.”

Hingis had finished her previous match at 1.30am, and once she lost a close first set to Jankovic it was obvious she would struggle.

“The first set was key, pretty much,” said Hingis. “In the tiebreaker she just played some better shots and was more aggressive.

“You could tell that the fatigue was setting in after the first set. Maybe if I had won that you kind of go with the momentum. After that I had chances but didn’t take them.”

Henin had hovered on the edge of defeat by teenage qualifier Tamira Paszek on Wednesday, but the Belgian showed the form that has taken her to three Dubai titles as she swept aside Daniilidou in just 64 minutes.

Daniilidou was intimidated by Henin’s aggressive start and dropped her first two service games with doubles faults.

“I was pretty aggressive in the first few games and she probably felt it,” said Henin. “I played a good match. I was feeling very good on the court, very positive. Yesterday was the kind of match I really needed. It wasn’t an easy one but today was another day and I was feeling much better.”

The Dubai Tennis Championships is owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free and takes place under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Play in the WTA Tour event takes place at the Dubai Tennis Stadium from 19th to 24th February, and continues from 26th February to 3rd March with the ATP event featuring Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Marcos Baghdatis.

For further information: John Rynehart, Promoseven Sports Marketing,
(T) +9714 3210008; (M) +971 50 55 96795; john.rynehart@promoseven.com