Q. What's French For Choker? A. Amelie Mauresmo (subject To Change)

Sydney Morning Herald

Thursday June 30, 2005

Richard Hinds

You could merely contrast the groundstrokes of Wimbledon semi-final opponents Lindsay Davenport and Amelie Mauresmo. You could note their performances in previous rounds or scan their head-to-head record - an overwhelming 8-3 in Davenport's favour.

However, if you want to cut to the chase, the answer to one harsh question will determine whether their match is a contest or mauling: will Mauresmo choke?

That might not seem the most flattering thing to ask of a player seeded No.3 and who has earned her third semi-final appearance here in four years. It is, nonetheless, a query demanded by the Frenchwoman's poor record in big matches.

Put politely, since reaching the final of the 1999 Australian Open, the 25-year-old has failed to reap the grand slam rewards that should arise from her powerful physique and majestic single-handed backhand, largely because she does not have the temperament to match.

Put impolitely, Mauresmo has become the game's new Jana Novotna, particularly at the French Open, where the anxiety caused by her ambition to win the title, and to live up to the high hopes of her French fans, has seen her crumble, failing to make it past the quarter-finals in 11 attempts.

The nicest spin to put on that is, after years of anguish, Novotna finally won Wimbledon. Mauresmo again moved within two steps of the title by beating Anastasia Myskina 6-3, 6-4, a performance that was impressive in the early stages but a little disturbing toward the end when Mauresmo threw in a couple of double faults and missed an easy smash as she struggled to finish the job.

Her struggles in big matches are no secret. In fact, so excruciating have they been at times, she even gained the sympathy of opponent Davenport after the American had beaten Svetlana Kuznetsova 7-6 (7-1), 6-3 in her quarter-final. "Besides the fact that I'm going to play her, I do believe in her, and I do believe she is good enough and strong enough to one day come through these situations," Davenport said. "I hope it's not Thursday. We'll see what happens if it gets close. But I will say she does seem a little more relaxed this year than I have seen her in the past."

© 2005 Sydney Morning Herald

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