| | Associated Press
PARIS -- Stiffer and slower than usual a day after suffering
severe leg cramps, Mary Pierce warmed up for the French Open
singles final by reaching the doubles final Friday with partner
Martina Hingis.
Pierce, who beat Hingis in the singles semifinals, stretched her
legs several times early in the doubles duel against Alexandra
Fusai and Nathalie Tauziat, but played without pain in a 2-6, 6-2,
6-1 victory.
Pierce then went to another court to practice for the Saturday's
singles title match against Conchita Martinez.
Pierce cramped so badly following her three-set victory over
Hingis on Thursday that she was treated with intravenous
rehydration.
"I've never had cramps before. It's the first time in my
life," she said, adding that she may have cooled down too quickly
after the match.
Pierce, 25, looked stiff in the first set of doubles. She served
erratically and sent forehands over the baseline. By the second
point, she began stretching out her legs.
But the question remains. Will she or won't she cramp up on
Saturday?
"Intravenous fluids take care of the cramping, so I don't think
Mary should have any problems on Saturday," French Federation
coach Patrice Hagelauer said.
"Mary's biggest challenge will be Conchita. She'll be mixing up
all the shots, trying to move her around as much as possible to
neutralize her power. Mary will be wanting to shorten the points
and maybe rush them a bit."
French fans have rekindled their affection for the Canadian-born
Pierce -- she's a French national because her mother is French.
Pierce disappointed the fans in 1994 when she lost to Arantxa
Sanchez-Vicario in the final.
This time around fans have high hopes for her to become the
first Frenchwoman to win the tournament in the open era, and the
first since Francoise Durr did it in 1967. Yannick Noah won in
Paris in 1983, sending the nation into a collective delirium.
Pierce's game has improved vastly since her last final at Roland
Garros. She goes into Saturday's match with two titles this year,
at Hilton Head, S.C., and the Italian Open. Of her wins, eight have
been on clay, compared to three defeats. Her record against
Martinez is an encouraging 10-6.
The cramps notwithstanding, Pierce's physical conditioning and
mindset also have improved since 1994.
Seeded sixth, Pierce attributes her new outlook on life and
tennis to her newfound faith, and she wears rosary beads around her
neck that she received while visiting the Vatican.
Having dispatched her longtime nemesis, Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario,
in the semis, Martinez comes into the final pumped up to win the
event that has eluded her in 12 previous attempts. She can rely on
a generous arsenal of shots to break the Frenchwoman's rhythm.
Martinez also will also be displaying her religious faith,
wearing a special cross called Cruz de Caravaca she received from
her father for good luck.
A six-time quarterfinalist and three-time semifinalist at Roland
Garros, the 28-year-old, fifth-seeded Spaniard would like to win
for her father, Cecilio. He was ill with cancer last year, but
recovered and is in the stands rooting for his daughter.
"It's so special to be able to see him watching my matches
here," Martinez said.
Martinez, who beat Pierce last year in the second round, is also
looking for support from Guillermo Perez, a sports psychologist she
has worked with recently to combat stress during major events. This
is the first time Perez has been in Paris with her.
The 1994 Wimbledon champion says winning the French would be a
dream come true.
"Obviously, I was proud to win Wimbledon," Martinez said,
"but this is more special for me because I always thought this
would be the tournament I would win one day."
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