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Impressive performance Coetzer downs Kournikova in straight sets
MAHWAH, N.J. (AP) -- Amanda Coetzer defeated Anna Kournikova on Saturday to advance to the final of the A&P Tennis Classic with a straight set victory over the 19th ranked Russian. Coetzer, ranked 12th in the world, registered a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Kournikova, who has never won a WTA tour event and never advanced beyond the final of this exhibition in four appearances. In Sunday's final, Coetzer will face 5th ranked Monica Seles, a 6-1, 6-1 winner over Sandra Cacic. "We've had some tough matches," Coetzer said of Kournikova. "Her main strength is coming to the net, and maybe I take that away from here with my movement." Coetzer has a 6-2 record against Kournikova in WTA play and knocked the Russian out in the quarterfinals here last year. "I competed, I was happy," said Coetzer. "I could have hit a few shots better. "Sometimes I get a little despondent when I lose the first couple of points on my serve, but today I tried to be resilient," she added. In the first set, she rallied from 0-40 and 15-40 deficits. In the second set, Coetzer fell behind 3-1 but came back to take a 4-3 lead. She then won by holding service in the 11th game and breaking Kournikova in the 12th when the Russian hit a forehand into the net at match point. "I wanted to keep attacking on every point," said Kournikova. "If you try to keep the ball in play with Amanda you will be there all day, so I tried to be aggressive." Seles beat the 210th ranked Cacic in 51 minutes. Cacic had advanced to the semifinal match here, but was no match for her friend and neighbor. "It was difficult," said Seles when asked about playing Cacic for the first time. "We've been friends for 10 to 12 years, but once you step on the court you have to forget all that." After losing the third game of the first set, Seles breezed through the next four. Then, after having her serve broken in the opening game of the second set, Seles swept through the next six. In a doubles semifinal, top-seeded Lisa McShea of Australia and Irina Selyutina of Kazakstan beat Eun-Ha Kim of Korea and Bahia Mouhtassine of Morocco. The winners will face Evie Dominikovic of Australia and Nirupama Vaidyanathan of India in Sunday's doubles final set.
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