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It has been a
long journey, but Patty Schnyder is at last through to her
first Grand Slam semi-final, after defeating American Lisa
Raymond 7-6 (7-2) 6-3 in the quarter-finals of Australian
Open 2004.
The
24-year-old was one of the brightest young prospects on
the tour six years ago, but has at times struggled to
regain the consistency that saw her achieve a career-high
ranking of No.8 in 1999.
Currently
ranked No.26, the Swiss left-hander is confident that her
best tennis remains ahead of her and is thrilled with the
way her 2004 campaign has begun.
"It's
enormous," a jubilant Schnyder said after reaching the
semi-finals. "I'm so happy to be here and to play semis.
It's hard to describe."
The
tournament's No.22 seed puts much of her recent good form
down to a stable life off the court, having recently
married.
"I'm very
happy with my husband," she said. "We married a month ago.
Everything is just fine. I'm really enjoying tennis. I
love the sport, coming out playing, especially the Grand
Slams in front of the crowd. It's very nice to have such a
life."
Schnyder is
in the unusual position of touring without a personal
coach, preferring to rely on male hitting partners,
although she said her new husband had proved to be a
terrific supporter.
"We talk
about everything, but he's not really coaching me," she
explained. "If I have a problem - if it's on tennis or
personal - we talk all day."
Schnyder will
confront Belgian world No.2 Kim Clijsters in the final
four, a player she trails 3-1 in head-to-head meetings,
after winning their first battle in 2000.
After failing
to win a set from Clijsters in their three most recent
meetings, the No.22 seed knows she will face a stern test,
but pointed to her strong form against the world's best in
2002.
And in her
current form, she has the confidence to beat anyone.
"In the 2002
season, I played the best matches of my career," Schnyder
said. "I really felt that my game was there to beat."
"I beat Venus
and Serena Williams and Jennifer Capriati. My game was
there, but I couldn't play it consistently. I don't know
if that will happen this year. I'm just happy to have a
great run at a Grand Slam. That was my goal for this
season." |
