WIMBLEDON 2000

REVIEWS BY MARK NEWMAN

LAST YEAR’S SEMIFINALIST LUCIC

WINS SECOND MATCH OF 2000

AS MANY OF THE BRITS CONTINUE

THEIR LOSING WAYS

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Mirjana Lucic def. Denisa Chladkova 4-6 6-2 6-2

Last year wins over Monica Seles and Nathalie Tauziat and a three set battle with Steffi Graf brought a smile to the face of Croatian youngster Mirjana Lucic. This year she will probably fall in the second round to higher ranked compatriot Silvija Talaja, but her three set first round win over #37 Denisa Chladkova will be enough to bring a smile to her face. For it is only Lucic’s second win of the year, and her first win over a Top 100 player since August 1999. Even at 4-6 6-2 5-0 she couldn’t be sure of victory. Earlier in the year at Indian Wells she had led Elena Likhovtseva 5-0 in the final set, only to lose seven games in a row and the match with it. This time though, Lucic held her nerve for a fine win. It may be shortsighted to expect Lucic to rediscover the magic of last year and sail through the draw again but… wouldn’t it be nice!

While Mirjana Lucic found her way to a win again, the majority of the British women were not so lucky, despite valiant efforts. Jo Ward led 11th-seed Anke Huber 4-2 and played some solid tennis before her straight sets loss, while Julie Pullin saw an early break against grasscourt expert Natasha Zvereva disintegrate into a straight sets loss. Talented youngster Hannah Collin was no match for Tina Pisnik, succumbing rather too easily for someone who is meant to be the future of British women’s tennis. So it was left to British #1 (though a lowly World #129) Louise Latimer to save the day. Benefiting from the drizzle which made the courts slippy and unsettled her opponent, Holly Parkinson, she managed to square at a set all before the drizzle turned into rain, and the match was delayed. Upon resumption she kept her cool and moved into the second round for the second successive year. She may well go further.