|
|
| 06 Jun 2002 | |
| Harkleroad homes in on last eight at Roland Garros |
By Eleanor Preston
Ashley Harkleroad stormed into the quarterfinals of the Roland Garros Junior Championships with a blistering 6-2 6-1 win over France’s Marion Bartoli. "Today I think I played really well," said Harkleroad. "I think she was a little bit nervous about what was expected of her out there. I knew I couldn’t let her dictate things because that’s how she likes to play. I did that really well."
Harkleroad’s win was revenge for her loss to Bartoli at last year’s Orange Bowl tournament and means this event is already her most successful week of the season so far. Harkleroad has struggled with her form for much of this year but now, thanks to her new coach Jose Luis Clerc, she says she feels full of confidence again. "I’ve been with him for about four weeks and already it’s so good," said Harkleroad. "He’s helped me move a lot better and taught me to mix up the pace. Before I just used to try and hit, hit, hit but Jose has taught me to use my head a lot more." Harkleroad now takes on Australian Open girls’ champion Barbora Strycova in the last eight and the 17-year-old from Tennessee says she is looking forward to the clash. "She’s been playing really well but she’s had a lot of tough matches this week," said Harkleroad. "I’m just going to try and go out there and play the way I did today." Strycova battled past Marta Fraga of Spain 6-1 5-7 6-1.
Myriam Casanova was the day’s other big winner in the girls’ tournament. The Swiss Miss dismissed rising Russian star Maria Sharapova 6-1 7-5. "I don’t think clay suits her game as well as it does mine," said Casanova. "I’m really happy because I played tactically really well. I’ve played her on hard court and she just hit it too hard for me whereas here you have time to put the ball where you want." Casanova now meets Vera Douchevina in the last eight and she’s knows the Russian will be another tough proposition. "She’s a great player and a great thinker but I’ll give it my best," said Casanova.
In Friday’s other girls’ quarterfinals Svetlana Kuznetsova will play Marta Domachowska and Angelique Widjaja takes on Ava Ivanovic.
In the boys’ competition Richard Gasquet continued his hot streak of form by beating Britain’s Alex Bogdanovic 6-3 6-4. "He’s streets ahead of everyone," said Bogdanovic admiringly. "He’s got so much confidence and he seems to know exactly the right shot to play. It’s something I can learn from." Gasquet’s next challenge will be Israeli Dudi Sela in the quarterfinals.
There was more good news for France when Jo-Wilfried Tsonga knocked out another Brit, David Brewer 6-7 (6) 7-6(4) 6-2. "I had my chances to take it in straight sets but I didn’t take them," said Brewer. "It’s a lesson in what I have to do better next time." Tsonga faces Laurent Recouderc in an all-French quarterfinal.
Brian Dabul, who beat Belgian Steve Darcis 6-1, 3-6, 6-1 on Thursday, will play Lamine Ouahab (ALG) in the last eight. Janko Tipsarevic (YUG) completes Friday’s quarterfinal line-up with his match against Italian Andreas Seppi. Photographs by Susan Mullane
^ Back to Top
|
