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Thursday, July 17
Breaking down the final

Jennifer Capriati vs. Martina Hingis
Career head-to-head record: Hingis leads, 5-3
Current streak: Capriati has won the last three meetings
Most recent meeting: 2001 French Open semifinal, won by Capriati, 6-4, 6-3.
Past Australian Open meeting: 2001 final, won by Capriati, 6-4, 6-3.

Jennifer Capriati Martina Hingis
Jennifer Capriati Martina Hingis
OPEN AT A GLANCE
Seed: 1
Sets won: 12 of 14
Games won: 80 of 123
Tiebreakers: 1-1

ROAD TO THE FINAL
First round
def. Silvija Talaja, 6-4, 6-1.
Second round
def. Meilen Tu, 6-1, 6-3.
Third round
def. Eleni Danilidou, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1.
Fourth round
def. Rita Grande (20), 6-3, 7-6 (9).
Quarterfinals
def. Amelie Mauresmo (7), 6-2, 6-2.
Semifinals
def. Kim Clijsters (4), 7-5, 3-6, 6-1.

ABOUT CAPRIATI
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 the final brimming with confidence.

SHE SAID
"I know definitely how she feels being in that position now because I was in same position last year. I know she wants it bad but I want it bad, too."
OPEN AT A GLANCE
Seed: 3
Sets won: 12 of 13
Games won: 76 of 101
Tiebreakers: 0-0

ROAD TO THE FINAL
First round
def. Virginie Razzano, 6-2, 6-2.
Second round
def. Greta Arn, 6-1, 6-2.
Third round
def. Barbara Rittner, 6-1, 6-0.
Fourth round
def. Amanda Coetzer (15), 6-1, 6-0.
Quarterfinals
def. Adriana Serra Zanetti, 6-2, 6-3.
Semifinals
def. Monica Seles (8), 4-6, 6-1, 6-4.

ABOUT HINGIS
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.


SHE SAID
"It will be great to play her in the finals. Now it's the other way around -- she has to defend the title and I'm the rookie."

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