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Capriati feeling good Confidence, fitness high for No. 2 seed after victory
NEW YORK (Reuters) -- Jennifer Capriati advanced another step on Saturday in her quest for a third Grand Slam title this year, feeling a new inner contentment, a new level of fitness and a new atmosphere at the U.S. Open. The second-seeded American reached the fourth round by defeating Spaniard Virginia Ruano Pascual 6-4, 6-4 -- the first time this week she has dropped more than three games in a match. Capriati laughed when asked if winning her first Grand Slam titles, this year's French and Australian Opens, had given her a new swagger. "It still hasn't changed me at all," she said. "I'm still the same person. "And just inside, maybe, for myself, I just have a real sense of satisfaction. I just am very content inside about it. "And so automatically, that's just going to make me a better person, too." Capriati, 25, is also a better person physically, having placed a new emphasis on training for fitness. "Before, when I wasn't in such good shape, I'd give it all I had for one match and it would be great, but then I couldn't come back the next time and give another performance. "So it's mostly in the recovery," she said. Capriati will next face Austrian Barbara Schett, also 25 and seeded 19th. "It's going to be very tough," said Capriati. "She's playing well. It's been a while since I've played her. "But it will be a hard-hitting match. She's very solid off the ground, has a good serve and she can come to the net. "I definitely have to play my best tennis." Capriati can overtake Martina Hingis for the world number one ranking here, but she says she is not thinking about that. "I'm just concentrating on the tournament and I'm just trying to win this event," she said. "I'm not thinking about the ranking at all." The revival of Capriati's career after a troubled adolescence has brought her extra support from the U.S. Open fans this year. "This is what I've always loved about the New York crowd, and something in the air feels different this year," she said. "Just the atmosphere at night, it's really electric, like a few of the other players have said, also. "It's really a good feeling out there, especially when they're behind you."
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. |
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