ESPN.com - French Open 2002 - Capriati falls to Serena
ESPN.com French Open 2002 Index
Schedule
Result
Seeds
History
Bracket
ESPN Tennis









Thursday, July 17
Capriati falls to Serena

PARIS -- The French Open women's final will be an all-in-the-family affair. It's Williams vs. Williams for a Grand Slam title. Again.

Venus Williams overpowered unseeded Clarisa Fernandez 6-1, 6-4 in the semifinals Thursday, right after her little sister, Serena, rallied to beat defending champion Jennifer Capriati 3-6, 7-6 (2), 6-2 at Roland Garros.

Grand Slam Sister Finals
2002 French Open: Venus Williams vs. Serena Williams

2001 U.S. Open: Venus Williams def. Serena Williams, 6-2, 6-4

1884 Wimbledon: Maud Watson def. Lillian Watson, 6-8, 6-3, 6-3

It will be the second meeting of the siblings for a Grand Slam title in nine months. Venus beat Serena 6-2, 6-4 at last year's U.S. Open.

"I want to win the French Open and I'm sure she does, too,'' Serena said. "We go out there, it's just another match for us. Just obviously a tougher opponent. But that's about it.''

Serena's fifth straight win over Capriati also means she will take over the No. 2 spot, right behind Venus when the rankings are released next week. They will become the first siblings to hold the two top spots.

"This makes it all the more sweeter to be No. 1 and No. 2 and also to be in the final,'' Venus said.

"More than anything, it just means we've reached the best of our profession. ... Actually, I'd like to stay No. 1, but I'd like to see Serena No. 1, also. I'm not giving it up, but I'm sure she'll get there.''

Venus broke Fernandez's serve four times in a 19-minute first set. She survived a momentary lapse after building a 5-2 lead in the second, finally winning with a backhand down the line to end the 56-minute match.

After losing the first set, Serena had a 5-2 lead in the second before Capriati broke twice and won four straight games.

Serena then held her serve at love and won the tiebreaker's final four points, clinching it on Capriati's double fault.

The third set was on serve until the sixth game when Capriati handed over a break by missing a drop shot on the 20th stroke of a rally. That gave Serena a 4-2 lead.

"She definitely played a lot better toward the end and that was the difference,'' Capriati said. "I think I probably got a little bit tired in the third set.''

Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories



Also See
 
Agassi ousted by Ferrero in French quarterfinals

Drysdale: Agassi had his chances

Corretja and Costa put friendship on hold



Audio/Video
 
Video
 French Open
Serena Williams sets a date with her sister in the final by defeating Jennifer Capriati 3-6, 7-6 (2), 6-2.
Standard | Cable Modem