As far as the game is concerned, Amélie Mauresmo is logically the front-runner. Seed player n°2 and now world n°4, the French player who was at top spot less than 6 months ago should logically prevail.Except that 100 % French encounters usually defy all logic. “The difficult thing is that we experienced very powerful moments together so we have to try and forget about them, but that’s the game,” said Mauresmo on Sunday evening.
Add to that the fact that the clash is set to take place in Paris, therefore any forecast virtually impossible. Even though Mauresmo won the event in 2001 and was runner-up two years ago (defeated by Serena Williams), Pierce has no reason to be envious. Indeed, in 1995 she (already!) played her first final against Steffi Graf, which just a warm-up before winning three years later against Belgian Dominique Van Roost. Even better, after a bad spell, Mary made an outstanding comeback at the highest level only to be defeated in the final by Kim Clijsters.

A Balanced Record

So Pierce shouldn’t be ruled out too fast, especially after taking a good start in the tournament by quickly defeating in the first round Anabel Medina Garrigues (6-1, 6-2). Oddly, the two French players have only been opposed four times in tournaments, with two victories on each side. But their last confrontation goes back to almost 5 years ago (Rome, 2000, victory of Mauresmo); not very meaningful.

Yet, as Pierce said: “We know each other really well, there’s no secret.” The explanation will therefore have to be found elsewhere. The two players appreciate each other and regularly train together. As it is often the case in this kind of clash, the winner will be the one who will manage to control her emotions the best.

Translated by Aurelia Ruetsch