Henin, Mauresmo Advance, Navratilova Beaten at Athens Olympics

Posted on August 20, 2004

The women's singles at the 2004 Olympics is one step away from a No. 1 vs. No. 2 dream final as top-seeded Justine Henin-Hardenne (d. Pierce) and No. 2 Amelie Mauresmo (d. (5)Kuznetsova in three) moved into the semifinals Thursday at Athens.

"It's going to be a tough mission for me," Henin said. "But I am feeling good...playing well, and I really want to win a medal."

The Belgian and Frenchwoman were joined in the semis by Russian No. 3 seed Anastasia Myskina (d. (11)Schiavone, dropping only three games), and unseeded Aussie Alicia Molik (d. (8)Sugiyama) moving into the medal round.

Winners in the doubles quarterfinals were Argentines (7)Paola Suarez/Patricia Tarabini (d. Dechy/Testud in three), (5)Shinobu Asagoe/Ai Sugiyama of Japan (d. (3)Navratilova/Raymond in three), (8)Ting Li/Tian Tian Sun of China (d. (4)Molik/Stubbs), and Spaniards (2)Conchita Martinez/Virginia Ruano Pascual (d. Yan/Zheng).

"It's a great experience," Navratilova said. "I just wish we had done better."

In the singles semifinals the reigning US Open champ (1)H-H will face the reigning French Open winner (3)Myskina (H-H has won 5 of the 7 meetings, including the last two), with (2)Mauresmo against Molik (tied 1-1, with both matches this year on hardcourt).

"She beat me like two or three weeks ago," Mauresmo said. "So I have a good revenge to take...It's going to be a good one. I am playing well...You know, physically and mentally it was a tough match for me today and I got over it."