Mauresmo defeats Raymond in two sets.


Photo: TeamWTA

By Etienne Stekelenburg
October 8 2004

Amelie Mauresmo of France is still on her way defending her No.1 spot beating American Lisa Raymond in two sets 6-4, 6-1 at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. Raymond was the runner up in 1997 losing to Martina Hingis; Mauresmo’s best result was the semifinal losing it to the Champion Kim Clijsters.

“I did overpower her and I really want to take my game to a higher level”, concluded Amelie Mauresmo after defeating Lisa Raymond.

 

In the first set players were close until the 7th game when No.1 seed Mauresmo breaks, being the only break in the first set. Mauresmo at 4-5 is serving for the match and takes the game on love and the first set in 34 minutes.

 

The second set Mauresmo showed her power leaving 31 years-old Lucky Loser Raymond with little chances to break. The first French No.1 of the world leads 3-0 after breaking Raymond twice before Raymond could come back with one rebreak for 1-3.

 

 

The next game is again one for Mauresmo who fights off Raymond’s advantage. A backhand by the American, currently ranked #30,  goes into the net giving the French advantage, the next ball flies wide and Mauresmo breaks again for a 4-1 lead.

 

Raymond does not give up that easily and is fighting for her points. She is again on advantage in the sixth game and again Mauresmo takes care of business. She hits an ace for deuce and another one for advantage. To win her service game she hits a forehand winner and leads 5-1 in the second set.

 

Mauresmo is not waiting to finish the match on her own service game, she feels the momentum is hers. Raymond hits the net but Mauresmo hits her next backhand long for 15 all. Again Mauresmo hits a service return long and Raymond looks like she is staying in this match a little longer.

 

 

She hits a double fault for 30 all followed by another double fault and Mauresmo has her first matchpoint at 30-40. Mauresmo’s service return is not that hard but Raymond’s attempt to bring the ball back to Mauresmo lands into the net. It's game, set and match for the still leading No.1 in the ranking Amelie Mauresmo of France, she leads the head-to-head 6-0 after this win.

 

Mauresmo is probably not the only one that was happy to see Lisa Raymond being ousted. Yesterday the 13-years-old Bianca Brodbeck was hit in the eye by one the balls coming from Lisa Raymond’s racket in her previous match. With a severe injury the girl had to be taken to an eye specialist where they were testing her eyesight.

 

Her head covered with a thick bandage she asked her mom if she could return to the court after the doctors’ visit, just to see the Kuznetsova-Bovina match. Bianca from Aichtal said she was surprised that Lisa Raymond never apologized for hitting her in the eye. “Her opponent (Farina Elia.ES) was concerned about me”.  Lisa Raymond has lost one fan and Silvia Farina Elia gained one probably.

 

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