Stevenson: "I need to bring my 'A' Game."
Stevenson Reaches First Final
Alexandra Stevenson reached her first career final on the Sanex WTA Tour with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Russia's Alina Judkova at the Kroger St. Jude in Memphis.
Stevenson, playing in her first semifinal since reaching the last four at Wimbledon as a qualifier in 1999, had little trouble disposing of the Russian, who knocked out top seed Amanda Coetzer in the first round.
"It feels great," said Stevenson. "I stayed focused, I didn't miss too many balls and I had more energy today." The 20-year-old, who upset world No. 2 Jennifer Capriati in Sydney earlier this year, won the Girls Under 18's in Memphis six years ago, and she hopes it will also be the place for her first Tour-level title.
"It's my first time in the final, and now I want to get my first win," said Stevenson. "I'm just going to go out and play. I've got a lot of experience after being on the Tour for three years, so now it's time for a win."
Stevenson, who needed three sets in all her matches en route the semifinals, now meets second seed Lisa Raymond in the final. "She's tough," said Stevenson of her next opponent. "I lost to her in Zurich, so I owe her one for that. I know I'm going to have to bring my "A" game and it will be a great match."
Raymond, who has won two career titles but never in the United States, had no trouble defeating third seed Ai Sugiyama 6-2, 6-1 o reach her ninth WTA final.
The match will be a repeat of their 1999 fourth round encounter at Wimbledon, which Stevenson won in three sets. It is also the fifth all-American final since the tournament began in 1986 when it was held in Oklahoma City.
Stevenson, playing in her first semifinal since reaching the last four at Wimbledon as a qualifier in 1999, had little trouble disposing of the Russian, who knocked out top seed Amanda Coetzer in the first round.
"It feels great," said Stevenson. "I stayed focused, I didn't miss too many balls and I had more energy today." The 20-year-old, who upset world No. 2 Jennifer Capriati in Sydney earlier this year, won the Girls Under 18's in Memphis six years ago, and she hopes it will also be the place for her first Tour-level title.
"It's my first time in the final, and now I want to get my first win," said Stevenson. "I'm just going to go out and play. I've got a lot of experience after being on the Tour for three years, so now it's time for a win."
Stevenson, who needed three sets in all her matches en route the semifinals, now meets second seed Lisa Raymond in the final. "She's tough," said Stevenson of her next opponent. "I lost to her in Zurich, so I owe her one for that. I know I'm going to have to bring my "A" game and it will be a great match."
Raymond, who has won two career titles but never in the United States, had no trouble defeating third seed Ai Sugiyama 6-2, 6-1 o reach her ninth WTA final.
The match will be a repeat of their 1999 fourth round encounter at Wimbledon, which Stevenson won in three sets. It is also the fifth all-American final since the tournament began in 1986 when it was held in Oklahoma City.
