Going for broke

Rubin survives two match points to beat Capriati

EASTBOURNE, England (Reuters) -- Defending champion Chanda Rubin saved two match points before beating fellow American Jennifer Capriati 2-6 7-6 6-2 in the semifinals of the Eastbourne championships on Friday.

Rubin, who won the title 12 months ago as an unseeded player, was serving at 5-3 down in the second set when she sent down a couple of sloppy serves to hand the third seed her match points.

But Capriati never had a chance to take advantage as Rubin immediately got her serve back in the groove.

"Chanda just really played well on those two points," said a disappointed Capriati. "She just went for broke and all of a sudden she was a completely different player."

Capriati could have served out the match at 5-4 but, still dwelling on those two lost opportunities, the American was broken to love. Rubin then claimed the tiebreak 7-5.

With the momentum clearly in her favor, 27-year-old Rubin ran Capriati ragged in the decider with deft volleys and acute angled winners.

A crisp backhand volley on match point was enough to take Rubin into a second consecutive final at the Wimbledon warm-up event. She will play either Conchita Martinez of Spain or Italian Silvia Farina Elia in the final.

 

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