ROME – Jelena Dokic won her first title Sunday, powering
past Amelie Mauresmo 7-6 (7-3), 6-1 in the Italian Open and defeating
the most consistent player in women's tennis this season.
Dokic, a Wimbledon semifinalist last year, was playing in her
first final as a professional and established herself as a
contender for the French Open, which begins May 28.
|  | | Clay might be her least favorite surface, but Jelena Dokic says this tournament gave her more confidence with it. |
"I wanted this title," she said. "And after I won the first
set, I wanted it even more. Beating Amelie, who is playing so well,
is very satisfying."
The 18-year-old Yugoslav kept her composure throughout the first
set, winning the tiebreaker as Mauresmo's steady groundstrokes
faltered.
Mauresmo, seeded fourth, crumbled in the second set. The
Frenchwoman repeatedly sent shots into the net as a light drizzle
fell on the Foro Italico center court.
Dokic, seeded 14th, won $178,000 and moved into the top 20 in
the WTA rankings for the first time. She shrugged off suggestions
she is a leading challenger at this year's Grand Slams.
"I just wanted to win my first title," she said.
The loss ends a nine-match winning streak for Mauresmo, whose
record this year remains a tour-best 31-3. She has won four titles,
including last week's German Open.
Mauresmo said a tough two-set semifinal win over Martina Hingis
on Saturday may have drained her. Dokic topped doubles partner
Conchita Martinez, a four-time champion in Rome, in the semis.
"I was tired," Mauresmo said. "Losing that first set was
really tough. ... I just didn't feel I could come back from that."
Mauresmo had won the only other meeting with Dokic, beating her
in Moscow last year.
In Paris, Mauresmo will try to follow the path of Mary Pierce.
Last year, Pierce became the first Frenchwoman since 1967 to win
the French Open.
In accepting the winner's silver trophy, Dokic thanked her
family, which followed her throughout the week.
Her father, Damir Dokic, recently returned to coach his daughter
after being banned from the tour following confrontations at last
year's Wimbledon and U.S. Open.
Jelena Dokic said earlier in the week that clay was her least
favorite surface, but she is growing more comfortable as Paris
nears.
"I just needed to get more patient," she said. "I felt more
and more confident all week."
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ALSO SEE
Sunday's results
Semi-lethal: Mauresmo ousts Hingis two weeks running
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