Tennis

At 30, she's something special again

Mary Pierce reaches the U.S. Open semifinals for the first time in her 17-year career.

By KEITH NIEBUHR
Published September 8, 2005

NEW YORK - Four years ago, an injury-plagued Mary Pierce, suffering from tendinitis in both ankles and a chronic inflammation of the spine, finished the season so far off the radar that some believed she would - and should - walk away from the sport she had played professionally since 1989.

It's a good thing she didn't.

At a tournament filled with inspirational comebacks and extraordinary surprises, Pierce's advancement to her first U.S. Open semifinal with a 6-4, 6-1 win over fellow Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo on Wednesday easily qualifies as both.

At age 30, the longtime Sarasota resident is playing like the Pierce of old, the one who claimed her first major championship 10 years ago in Australia and once ranked as high as No. 3.

"It's amazing," Pierce said. "I'm 30, 17th year on the tour, and there's still firsts for me. That's pretty exciting."

The 12th-seeded Pierce next plays No. 6 Elena Dementieva, last year's runnerup. Dementieva upset No. 2 Lindsay Davenport 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (8-6) Wednesday night.

Pierce owns two Grand Slam titles but fell all the way to No. 130 in the final 2001 rankings. She slowly worked her way back into the top echelon of the WTA Tour during the next three seasons, but still was only 29th when the year began. Behind several strong showings, including a runnerup finish at the French Open, she soared to her current spot at 12. She is certain to rise again after the Open.

Pierce's success during past trips to New York has been limited. In 12 previous Opens, she had advanced past the fourth round only twice, the last time in 1999.

"She has brought so much excitement to the U.S. Open." said famed coach Nick Bollettieri, who works with Pierce at his academy in Bradenton. "She's hungry, she's focused and most important of all she's having fun."

In Wednesday's match, Pierce looked like the better player from the start, which was quite a contrast from her most recent matches with Mauresmo. Pierce trailed 4-2 in the series with four consecutive straight-set losses (two this year), but broke her opponent's serve twice in the first set to take control. Her second service break came in the final game of the first, one game after Mauresmo had broken her.

The second set ended in 29 minutes.

"Knowing her for these last few years, that's for sure the best tennis she's ever played," Mauresmo said. "She has the confidence now, which is huge. She goes for every shot."

After Wednesday's victory Pierce playfully smiled and waved to the crowd, and it appears as if she's enjoying the game more than ever. For that, she credits everything from her conditioning and improved health to the support of her family. Pierce's brother, David, is her day-to-day coach, and her father, Jim, who once was banned by the WTA because of his behavior, is back in the picture after a recent reconciliation between dad and daughter.

"I think I'm definitely all around a better athlete and a competitor, with experience and maturity," Pierce said. "It's pretty special. I take a lot of things differently now than before."

But can she take the title?

The way she is playing, it certainly seems conceivable.

[Last modified September 8, 2005, 01:50:14]