San Diego, USA, August 3 (Reuters) - Sixth seed Jelena Dokic saved two match points to overcame popular Russian Anna Kournikova 6-7 (6-8) 7-6 (7-2) 6-0 in the semi-finals of the $750,000 Acura Classic on Saturday.
In a tense two-hour contest, Dokic appeared to be out of the match at 4-5 in the second set when she
double faulted at deuce, handing Kournikova her first match point.
But the Yugoslav ripped a forehand down the line winner to get back to deuce.
Although the 21-year-old Kournikova forced another match point when she powered a forehand
winner, Dokic whipped a heavy slice serve into the Russian's body to get herself out of trouble and
eventually levelled the set at 5-5.
A charged up Dokic - who had spent much of the day double faulting on key points -- played more
intelligently and forcefully in the resulting tiebreaker, winning it 7-2 with two searing service returns.
The 19-year-old Yugoslav then ran off with the third set, as a despondent Kournikova lost all of her
spunk and accuracy.
After her shock three-set win over second seed Jennifer Capriati on Friday night, Dokic had only 15
hours to get ready for Kournikova and was sluggish at the start.
"I had a terrible time recovering," she said. "I was very physically and mentally drained. I just thank
God for this match. She was playing very well and it wasn't until the third set that I really got my confidence back."
In her first semi-final appearance for almost six months, Kournikova came out firing on all cylinders, delivering forehands to
both corners of the court, hitting exquisite drop shots and pouncing on Dokic's wayward second serves.
"She was playing very well," Dokic said. "She was hitting hard and not missing much. She was mentally stronger than she was before."
Kournikova berated herself several times toward the end of the second set. "I was telling myself to get my feet moving," said
the Russian.
"I knew what I had to do, I just couldn't get my body to always do it. Of course I'm disappointed to lose but I'm really happy
with my results this week.
"It gives some confidence and shows me what I have to work on and improve upon."
