Wildcard Raymond Only Un-seed in WTA New Haven Semis

Posted on August 27, 2004

American wildcard Lisa Raymond became the only unseeded player to gain the WTA New Haven semifinals Thursday, defeating former Top 10-ranked Daniela Hantuchova, while fellow American Jennifer Capriati suffered a shocker leading into the US Open.

"I didn't expect to be here," said the 31-year-old Raymond. "I just wanted to play some good matches. I got the wildcard and put it to good use."

The No. 3-seeded Capriati, in her first tournament back after skipping the Athens Olympics with injury, was beaten in straight sets by No. 8 Nathalie Dechy.

"When you never win against somebody, you think it's going to be one time," said Dechy, who was 0-5 career against Capriati entering the match. "This morning I felt really well and I thought, 'Today will be the day.'"

Capriati was pseudo-complimentary of her opponent.

"I think she definitely played the match of her life tonight," Capriati said. "All credit to her really. There wasn't much I could do." Except slug away. Try hitting a slice.

Also into the semis were (2)Elena "The Diagnosis is" Dementieva (d. Jankovic), and (7)Elena "Lina" Bovina (d. Washington).

Friday's semis match up as an all-Russian in Bovina vs. Dementieva (Dementia leads meetings 3-1), and Raymond vs. Dechy (the Frenchwoman won their lone meeting on clay in 2002).