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| 25 May 2002 | |
| Casanova tested in semifinal |
World no. 1 Brian Dabul reached his second consecutive Grade A final today in Milan by defeating Australian Open champion Clement Morel in straight sets. Morel, who went into the match with a 2-0 head to head record over Dabul, could not compete with the top seed on his favourite surface and fell 76 62.
Belgian Steve Darcis could taste victory in his match today against Lamine Ouahab (ALG) when he found himself in a second set tiebreak having taken the first set 64. Ouahab, however, was determined to break the jinx that had stopped him at semifinal stages of his previous Grade A events. He fought back to take the match into a third set and dropped just two game before claiming the match 64 67 62.
Both Dabul and Ouahab will be hoping to capture their first Grade A titles in tomorrow's final. They have played each other four times and sit evenly at 2 wins a-piece.
The Girls' final will be contested by the no. 1 and no.2 seeds, Myriam Casanova (SUI) and Barbora Strycova (CZE), respectively. Casanova was stretched all the way by no. 3 seed Petra Cetkovska (CZE) in today's semifinal, finally winning 36 76 64. Strycova, by comparison had a much easier time, ousting Santa Croce champion, Maria Kirilenko (RUS) 63 75.
Casanova and Strycova have played each other twice already this year. They first met in the quarterfinals of the Australian Hardcourt Championships, Casanova won 61 62 and went on to take the title. More importantly they contested the final of the Banana Bowl in Brazil on clay in March and Casanova again proved the stronger player, winning 63 75. Casanova remains the only player to have defeated Australian Open champion, Strycova this year. Both players will be hungry to capture their second Grade A title of the year.
They will also face each other in tomorrow's girls' doubles final. Casanova will be partnered by Elke Clijsters (BEL), and Strycova by Anna-Lena Groenefeld (GER).
The boys' doubles final will by played out by ITF team members Komlavi Loglo (TOG) and Christopher Westerhof (RSA) and the Aussie's partnership of Adam Feeney and Chris Guccione.
Photographs by Francesco Panunzio
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