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Thursday, July 17
Breaking down the semifinals

Jennifer Capriati vs. Kim Clijsters
Career head-to-head record: Capriati leads, 2-0
Most recent meeting: 2001 French Open final, won by Capriati, 1-6, 6-4, 12-10.

Jennifer Capriati Kim Clijsters
Jennifer Capriati Kim Clijsters
Seed: 1
Sets won: 10 of 11
Games won: 64 of 95
Tiebreakers: 1-1

Age: 25
Plays: Right-handed, double-handed backhand
Grand Slam titles: Two (Australian Open 2001, French Open 2001)

Capriati, back at the scene of her greatest triumph, is looking in fine form as she bids to defend her title. A fierce competitor with a ferocious forehand, Capriati has used her brute strength to steamroll most opponents so far. Happy with her game and as combative as ever, Capriati enters her match with Clijsters brimming with confidence.
Seed: 4
Sets won: 10 of 10
Games won: 60 of 75
Tiebreakers: 0-0

Age: 18
Plays: Right-handed, double-handed backhand
Grand Slam titles: None


A gutsy baseliner and tireless runner, Clijsters is stronger than her frame suggests and has overpowered all her opponents to far. A favorite with Australian fans due to her romance with Australian world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt, Clijsters has had plenty of support at Melbourne Park.

Martina Hingis vs. Monica Seles
Career head-to-head record: Hingis leads, 13-4
Most recent meeting: 2001 Los Angeles semifinal, won by Seles, 6-3, 1-6, 6-4.

Martina Hingis Monica Seles
Martina Hingis Monica Seles
Seed: 3
Sets won: 10 of 10
Games won: 60 of 74
Tiebreakers: 0-0


Age: 21
Plays: Right-handed, double-handed backhand
Grand Slam titles: Five (Australian Open 1997, 1998, 1999; Wimbledon 1997; U.S. Open 1997)

Overtaken by the more powerful crop of players, Hingis's confidence has taken a massive knock in recent years as she is still trying to find a way to compete with the big hitters. A supreme tactician, her anticipation and reading of the game are still second to none and she has been untroubled so far at the Open.
Seed: 8
Sets won: 10 of 11
Games won: 58 of 85
Tiebreakers: 0-1

Age: 28
Plays: Left-handed, double-handed both sides
Grand Slam titles: Nine (French Open 1990, 1991, 1992; Australian Open 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996; U.S. Open 1991, 1992)

Her double-fisted groundstrokes lack the penetration of earlier years, but Seles remains a dogged competitor. She has worked on her fitness and has looked quicker and more powerful this year, especially in beating Venus Williams in the quarters.

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