- 1999 Alexandra Fusai News
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- Saturday 3/27/99
- Alexandra is today on an island WAY out in the Atlantic Ocean. The island is called Hilton Head. Yea!
- She practiced today with fellow Frenchwoman Anne-Gaelle Sidot - and I have it on VERY good authority that they are a Doubles team, for this tournament, at least. Of course, both are also in the main Singles draw.
- Main Draw play starts Monday.
- Meanwhile, let's all sing "La Marseillaisse" REAL LOUD!
- Vive La France!
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- Sunday 3/28/99
- Alexandra practiced some more today - looking good!
- First round Singles might be vs. Conchita Martinez. A nice challenge! Alexandra can win!
- Prediction: Alexandra is going to win some matches, singles and doubles, soon!
- Meanwhile, for pictures of Alexandra practicing yesterday: go to the new Family Circle '99 gallery - click here!
- Vive La France! Vive La Fusai!
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- Tuesday 3/30/99
- Alexandra won! (And lost...)
- GOOD NEWS: Unseeded Fusai/Sidot upset seeded Spirlea/Vis today: 5-7, 6-4, 6-3! Yea! Second round is vs. Krizan/Steck. Fusai/Sidot will win! (Well, I hope...)
- It went like this (Sidot served first): 1-0, 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 3-5, 4-5, 5-5, 5-6, 5-7, 1-0, 2-0, 2-1, 2-2, 3-2, 3-3, 4-3, 4-4, 5-4, 6-4, 1-0, 2-0, 3-0, 4-0, 4-1, 4-2, 5-2, 5-3, 6-3.
- Alexandra's play was somewhat erratic: sometimes great, sometimes not. She clearly enjoyed winning, though! Sidot played poorly for most of the 1st set, then very well for the rest of the match (much like her singles yesterday, which she won). Fusai/Sidot might make a march through the doubles draw this week! We'll see!
- MORE GOOD NEWS(?): Alexandra played very well vs. Conchita Martinez yesterday (but she lost). Martinez was just better. Alexandra made very few errors and her serving was not really a problem. Many good serves were 100+ mph (I saw 110 mph at least once). Well, she just played very well (better than today, I think), and the score should have been close, but it wasn't: 0-6, 0-6. Oh my... Oh well... She knows she played well, and a bunch of singles wins are gonna start happening soon - maybe at Amelia next week.
- For now, let's all cheer loudly: "Fusai/Sidot! Go! Go! GO!"
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- Wednesday 3/31/99
- Alexandra won again!
- VERY GOOD NEWS: Fusai/Sidot defeated Krizan/Steck today: 7-6(7-2), 6-2! Yea! Third round is vs. Arendt/Bollegraf (unseeded) or Raymond/Stubbs (seeded #3). Fusai/Sidot are HOT!
- It went like this (Steck served first, then Sidot): 0-1, 1-1, 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 3-3, 3-4, 3-5, 4-5, 5-5, 6-5, 6-6, 7-6(7-2), 1-0, 1-1, 2-1, 2-2, 3-2, 4-2, 5-2, 6-2.
- All four played quite well and almost the entire match was rather scary. But Alexandra was MUCH better than yesterday: precise, brilliant, confident - clearly the best of the 4. I liked seeing that very much, of course.
- Anne-Gaelle also played quite well (like yesterday). Krizan/Steck seemed to have the strategy of: "Hit it to Sidot!" - but that turned out to be no way for them to win. Of course "Hit it to Fusai!" didn't work for them either - not at all!
- (By the way, Anne-Gaelle lost her 2nd round singles to Elena Likhovtseva (seeded #14) about an hour before the start of the doubles. She played well (although not as well as yesterday) but was, basically, "outclassed" - sort of like the Fusai vs. Martinez match was.)
- (Also by the way: there will be more pictures posted soon - I bought a new camera!)
- Cheer with me: "Yea Fusai! Yea Sidot! Yea Fusai/Sidot!"
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- Friday 4/2/99
- MAGNIFICENT News!
- Unseeded Fusai/Sidot defeated seeded #3 Raymond/Stubbs tonight 6-2, 6-4! Yea! Fusai/Sidot are in a winnin' rut! OK!
- It went like this (Raymond served first, then Sidot): 1-0, 2-0, 3-0, 3-1, 3-2, 4-2, 5-2, 6-2, 1-0, 2-0, 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 3-3, 4-3, 5-3, 5-4, 6-4.
- In fairness, Raymond/Stubbs (especially Stubbs) did a bit of "Let's lose this!" early in the 1st set but then they "got serious" (as I knew they would) but to no avail. Fusai/Sidot (both equally great) just rolled over them; although Raymond/Stubbs did not "roll over" in any sense.
- Alexandra played as well as Wednesday, and tonight Anne-Gaelle matched that greatness.
- Alexandra seemed "pumped-up" the entire match (I hope she wasn't coked-up!). I wanted her to slow down - calm down; but I've got no complaints!
- The 1st match tonight was Davenport/Zvereva vs. Coetzer/Kornikova - DZ won (like I wanted). FS can beat DZ Sunday - at least they could have tonight! And I really think they can, and will, on Sunday!
- Sometime late tomorrow day Fusai/Sidot play the winner of an early tomorrow match: unseeded Farina/Morariu vs. seeded #2 Likhovtseva/Novotna (Novotna also plays singles tomorrow). Fusai/Sidot will win!
- The other doubles tomorrow is Davenport/Zvereva vs. Schett/Schnyder. (Schnyder is also playing singles tomorrow - tomorrow's singles are Hingis vs. Novotna and Kornikova vs. Schnyder)
- If Sunday turns out to be FS vs. Schett/Schnyder that would be VERY interesting because Schnyder is hot-hot and Alexandra would love to humble Schett because of late last year.
- Saturday's cheer loudly: "FUSAI! SIDOT! YEA!"
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- Saturday 4/3/99
- Well, tonight's match lasted about 2 hours, and three sets, but, alas, Fusai/Sidot will not play in the finals tomorrow.
- Likhovtseva/Novotna prevailed 6-3, 1-6, 6-2. Oh well...
- It went like this (Sidot served first, then Likhovtseva): 0-1, 1-1, 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 3-4, 3-5, 3-6, 0-1, 1-1, 2-1, 3-1, 4-1, 5-1, 6-1, 0-1, 1-1, 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6.
- Alexandra and Anne-Gaelle both played very well, but maybe not quite as good as last night. Alexandra mostly didn't try her monster serve, for some reason. Likhovtseva/Novotna got very tough late in the 3rd set and won it fair & square.
- Alexandra had an excellent week: she reminded everyone (perhaps even herself) that she is a hugely talented doubles player, and rediscovered that Anne-Gaelle is an excellent partner.
- For me, the greatest things about the week were seeing that her greatest asset, her spirit, is entirely undiminished (this was most apparent in the Martinez match) and seeing that she is still obviously a very happy person, despite having some tough times late last year and earlier this year.
- Alexandra is ready for some singles glory now, to go with her continuing doubles glory!
- I hope the newspapers in Amelia are ready to print FUSAI in their headlines!
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- Tuesday 4/6/99
- Alexandra won!
- Alexandra defeated Corina Morariu 6-3, 6-4 yesterday in 1st round singles at Amelia. I LIKE IT!
- Today it seems she didn't play; so tomorrow she could well play singles and doubles; I hope she well plays well!
- I haven't yet found access to the actual draws, so I don't know who Alexandra's next singles match is vs. - I don't even know for sure that Fusai/Sidot is a happenin' thing, but, COME ON(!), after last week they must be!
- Alexandra: you're rollin' now! ROLL ON!
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- Wednesday 4/7/99
- Alexandra won again! YIPPEE!
- Alexandra defeated Anna Smashnova 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in 2nd round singles at Amelia. YAHOO!
- Clearly, Alexandra's tremendous spirit was very much in evidence in that match! And those lucky spectators saw Alexandra play yet another "match of a lifetime"!
- Both the Morariu and this Smashnova victories are officially "upsets" (mostly owing to Alexandra's ranking falling to #47 from #40 this week; it improved from #41 to #40 last week). Alexandra may now go into the 30's (again!) next week (but keep winning, OK, Alexandra?, just to be sure!).
- (By the way: last week's fine performance in doubles moved Alexandra above Natalie in doubles to #9!)
- I still don't know who's next vs. in singles, or even if there will be doubles, but I know this: Alexandra is a PLAYER!
- ALLEZ FUSAI!!
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- Thursday 4/8/99
- Well, Alexandra had a very good Amelia - but now it's over.
- It took Monica Seles to do it, though! Monica defeated Alexandra 6-0, 6-1 today in 3rd round singles, on Center Court. Oh well...
- And it turns out that Fusai/Sidot were never entered in doubles, for some reason.
- Even so, Amelia saw Alexandra play some great singles, eh?
- Here's what's coming up: Fed Cup in Moscow (Alexandra is the alternate), then Alexandra is apparently committed to, and in the main draw at, Hamburg (Betty Barclay Cup, #21), Rome (Italian Open, #33), and Berlin (German Open, #35).
- As I write this, Alexandra may be already on her way home for a few days rest before the busy summer Europe season. Fly safe and rest well, Alexandra!
- America will welcome you back later this year - in the meantime, do good there in the "Old World", OK Alexandra? And HAVE FUN!
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- Wednesday 4/14/99
- Based on Alexandra's very impressive performance in singles at Amelia last week, that silly #47 ranking from last week is back to #39 now, and ready to move up from there. Yea!
- Alexandra's doubles ranking remained at #9 (Alexandra didn't play doubles last week).
- This weekend is the Fed Cup in Moscow (Alexandra may or may not play; she is the alternate).
- (By the way: tonight I redesigned the Family Circle pics into multiple galleries - with more, and better, coming soon!).
- Alexandra: you're a winner!
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- Friday 4/16/99
- Alexandra will play in Moscow! Yea!
- The announced Fed Cup schedule has Amelie Mauresmo vs. Elena Likhovtseva and then Natalie Tauziat vs. Tatjana Panova on Saturday.
- Then Sunday is Tauziat vs. Likhovtseva, Mauresmo vs. Panova, and Alexandra Fusai/Natalie Tauziat vs. Elena Dementieva ("crazy"?)/Elena Makarova.
- Sometimes that Sunday doubles is meaningless; sometimes it means everything. Alexandra is the right person to be there if it is decisive!
- Sandrine Testud and Julie Halard-Decugis (both great players) will apparently just sit and watch.
- I wonder about that, but I want to think that the new coach (Guy Forget; now there's a name!) knows what he is doing. (The Russian coach has an equally interesting name: Konstantin Bogorodetski; how'd ya like to sign that on your checks?!)
- (By the way: tonight I added 3 pictures to the Family Circle '99 galleries: these are from the Monday night singles match. More, and better, coming soon!)
- Tonight, for various reasons, I humbly offer an American cheer: "Win, France, Win!".
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- Sunday 4/18/99
- Well, Alexandra didn't lose! But she didn't win, either! (Huh?)
- Alexandra didn't play in Moscow, after all, and maybe that is unfortunate.
- In singles, Amelie played both days and won both days (including match #4 to make it 2-2); Natalie lost both days. For some reason(!), the doubles for the decisive match was Mauresmo/Tauziat instead of the previously announced Fusai/Tauziat.
- Had they EVER been a doubles team before? Was Alexandra there?
- Did Sandrine Testud and Julie Halard-Decugis (both great players) just sit and watch? Was Alexandra there?
- The Russkies likewise changed teams from Makarova/Maniac (Dementieva) to Makarova/Likhovtseva
- Well, the score went 6-0, 7-6 - and now Alexandra needn't work her schedule around Fed Cup any more this year.
- There is much sadness in this weekend's work. Testud and Halard-Decugis were dissed, and maybe Alexandra too (were they there?). Natalie, after her best year ever, now has a mountain to climb to reclaim the respect (very, very earned!) last year. Guy Forget, probably very deserving of a 2nd chance, may not get it.
- My opinion: Fed Cup should be more like a week than a weekend. France should have been able to get Sidot and Dechy in there (as well as Testud and Halard-Decugis). It should be a week's of round-robin singles AND doubles.
- Anyway: Alexandra is committed as the last (#21) main draw player at the Betty Barclay Cup in Hamburg, Germany in about a week. She will probably be in both singles and doubles.
- I have to say this: Win Fusai! Win Fusai/Tauziat!
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- Friday 4/23/99
- Alexandra's rankings didn't change this week (#39 singles, #9 doubles). That actually makes sense!
- Alexandra is "committed" (and in the main draw) for the next 5 weeks of tournaments: Hamburg (#21), Italy (#33), Berlin (#35), Strasbourg (#14), and, of course, Roland Garros (#39).
- Be a player, gal! And have fun!
- (By the way: tonight I'm posting 18 pictures from the Tuesday Family Circle doubles match. Still to be posted is practice from Wednesday and matches from Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. The best is yet to come!)
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- Wednesday 4/28/99
- Well, Alexandra fought tooth and nail in the 1st set, but lost it 6-7(3-7). It was a real cat-fight, though, with hissing and biting and clawing and hair-pulling (okay, I'm guessing).
- Then she gave away the 2nd set 2-6. Maria Antonia Sanchez-Lorenzo was the winner. Oh well....
- I suppose it can be a bit difficult to get back in gear after a couple of weeks of loafing, and that disrespecting in Moscow (okay I'm mostly kidding).
- Next is Fusai/Tauziat (seeded #1!) vs. a qualifier pair. It's doubles magic time now! Go girls!
- Alexandra's singles ranking slipped this week from #39 to #40 as a result of Sarah Pitkowski's (much deserved!) jump from #41 to #36. Her doubles ranking remained at #9.
- And Alexandra has joined the Million Dollar Club with career earnings of $1,046,739! That's a lot of Francs (about 6,441,442 actually)! Not too shabby!
- But most important, Alexandra, remember this: HAVE FUN!
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- Thursday 4/29/99
- Fusai/Tauziat are HOT!
- They rolled over Sandra Nacuk/Sylvia Plischke 6-3, 6-1 - YEA!!
- Next is vs. Mariaan DeSwardt/Liezel Horn.
- Go girls, go!
- And HAVE FUN!
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- Sunday 5/2/99
- Well, I finally found results from Munich.
- Fusai/Tauziat defeated DeSwardt/Horn 2-6, 6-3, 6-2. YEA! That's impressive!
- But then it was FT vs. Coetzer/Novotna and the result was a loss 4-6, 1-6. Oh well....
- Playing on Saturday is good!
- Now Italy is FUN!
- (By the way, tonight I am adding a 15-pic gallery of Alexandra practicing on Wednesday at the Family Circle. Some of them are quite nice, I think. Even better coming soon!)
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- Tuesday 5/4/99
- Alexandra's 1st round singles in Rome is vs. Kvetoslava Hrdlickova (WTA #75, but moving up). Fusai/Tauziat, seeded #2, get a bye, then face either Farina/Habsudova or Horn/Melicharova.
- The Rome draws are amazing. It looks like it will be hard for ANYONE to do well. Very interesting....
- Of course, I hope Alexandra does well. If she can then I think it will be very significant. But, otherwise, is probably not particularly meaningful.
- Very strange draw - I like it!
- (Alexandra's singles ranking fell this week from #40 to #45 - now it's ready to move up, eh? - doubles stayed at #9.)
- (By the way, tonight I am adding a 6-pic gallery of Alexandra pics taken by John Bryan at the vs. Smashnova and vs. Seles matches last month on Amelia. These are nice pics!)
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- Wednesday 5/5/99
- Well, nothing to do but just say it: Hrdlickova d. Fusai 6-2, 6-4. Oh well... Oh well...
- So now it's doubles time. Fusai/Tauziat: ROCK and RULE!
- As to FT vs. ? the ? is now 3 possibilities somehow (huh?).
- Maybe it will be FT vs. Farina/Habsudova? Or maybe it will be FT vs. Horn/Melicharova? Or maybe it will be FT vs. Jana Kandarr/Samantha Reeves?
- Anyway, FT vs. Anyone/Anyone is okay with me - as long as FT HAVE FUN! (And I hope FT win, too, of course!)
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- Friday 5/7/99
- Yea! Fusai/Tauziat d. Kandarr/Reeves 6-1, 6-1. Yea!
- Next is vs. Jeyaseelan/Morariou.
- Win, FT, WIN! And HAVE FUN!!
- (By the way, tonight I am posting another Family Circle '99 gallery of a baker's dozen of pics from the Wednesday doubles match. Some are quite good, in my opinion.)
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- Sunday 5/9/99
- Yea! Fusai/Tauziat d. Sonya Jeyaseelan/Corina Morariu 7-5, 6-4. Yea!
- Then Yea again! Fusai/Tauziat d. Mary Pierce/Natasha Zvereva 6-2, 6-1. Wow Yea Wow!
- Today is Fusai/Tauziat vs. Martina Hingis/Anna Kournikova for the title.
- Win, FT, WIN! And HAVE FUN!!
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- Go: to more 1999 AF News: click here!