Hanging tough

Capriati survives fourth-round challenge from Grande

Tough Match in Melbourne Click the image to launch the clip Jennifer Capriati says she faced a formidable opponent in her win against Rita Grande. Start Video Plus Visit Video Plus for all the latest video and audio.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- After one grueling tiebreaker point, an exhausted Jennifer Capriati doubled over and leaned on her racket during her fourth round win over Rita Grande on Monday.

But the defending champion's fitness carried her through the tight second set to a 6-3, 7-6 (9) win at the Australian Open. The only free point came on her third match point, when Grande hit a double fault.

"It was a bad ending. But I think I earned that," Capriati said. "If I wasn't fit, I probably wouldn't have been able to pull that match out."

Grande, seeded No. 20, said she thought Capriati was fitter than last year, when her victory in Melbourne propelled her into the top 10 after seven years and a long comeback from a troubled past.

"She moves better, I think, than last year. Even forward, because I tried to do some drop shots" and Capriati retrieved them, Grande said.

"Maybe last year, she didn't go so far inside the court," said the Italian, who also reached the fourth round at the Australian Grand Slam last year.

The pair played long rallies in the second set, and both players sweated heavily under the retractable center court roof that was closed because of rain. Conditions were humid, and the balls were slow.

"It was a lot to her advantage," said Capriati, who plays a power game from the baseline. "I had to be very patient and consistent."

Grande hit big serves and chipped backhand slices that floated into the backcourt. But her fatigue caught up with her on her first of two set points in the tiebreaker when she netted an easy smash.

"It's part of the game. I was tired after a good rally," she said. "My legs didn't go up."

Capriati, who also won the French Open last year, says she has improved her fitness by working in the last few months with Chantal Menard, a world kick-boxing champion who was born in Madagascar.

"She didn't only do kickboxing, she did a lot of stuff to train for that," the 25-year-old American said. "So I like it because it's fun and keeps it different."

Menard, who recently spent a month at Capriati's home in Saddlebrook, Florida, often trains to music.

"I look at this match as a way to help me build my fitness even more," Capriati said of her win Monday. "Hopefully, this will make me stronger for the upcoming matches."

She faces seventh-seeded Amelie Mauresmo of France in the quarterfinals.

 

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