Thursday, May. 21, 2009

Clijsters/Capriati — 2001

Eleven years after first captivating the crowds at Roland Garros as a precocious teenager, the 25-year old Jennifer Capriati hoped to finally lift the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen. Standing in her way was Kim Clijsters, out to become the first Belgian to win a Slam. Capriati was given a tennis lesson early on, losing the opening set 1-6. But she took the second 6-4. The deciding third set went on and on — eventually racking up the most games in a female final in the Open era: 22 (since surpassed). Capriati prevailed 12-10.

Read: "The Next Chris Evert?"