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Pierce, Capriati impressive

June 26, 2003 20:44 IST
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Unseeded Frenchwoman Mary Pierce upset Greek 14th seed Eleni Daniilidou 6-4, 6-1 to march into the Wimbledon third round on Thursday.

The powerful former Australian and French Open champion, now ranked 86, brushed aside her opponent on a sun-bathed court two to set up a showdown with American Lisa Raymond.

The victory was 28-year-old Pierce's second impressive victory of the tournament. She whitewashed her first-round opponent 6-0, 6-0 and is on course for fourth round meeting with reigning French Open champion Justine Henin-Hardenne.

"I feel like I'm playing well, but I know I still have lots of work to do," Pierce said. "I have a very aggressive game so it's important for me to be in good shape."

Pierce was followed on court by women's eighth seed Jennifer Capriati and the American made even lighter work of her opponent, Marie-Gaianeh Mikaelian of Switzerland, winning 6-2, 6-1.

Capriati, who is in the same quarter of the draw as defending champion Serena Williams, bludgeoned her way to victory with her heavier weight of shot proving decisive.

The 1991 and 2001 Wimbledon semi-finalist now faces Japan's Akiko Morigami in the third round.

"I kept the momentum going today. It makes things little bit easier when you can come up with big serves," Capriati said, adding that she liked the atmosphere on court two, which has the reputation of being a graveyard for seeds.

"I don't believe in that. It has a nice atmosphere. It's cosy."

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Source: REUTERS
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