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I found Mary Pierce' news in FOXsports.com today!! :eek:

Pierce's game rejuventated at U.S. Open

SportsTicker
Aug. 31, 2003 10:08 p.m.


By Joe Carnicelli
SportsTicker Contributing Editor

FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) - Mary Pierce owns two Grand Slam singles titles and has been ranked as high as third in the world but a series of injuries and dismal performances had dropped her out of serious contender status at the U.S. Open.

Pierce, who entered the Open with a mediocre 15-13 record this year, including losses in three of her last four matches, suddenly finds herself in the fourth round after a 6-4, 6-1 victory Saturday over Shinobu Asagoe of Japan.

Pierce put herself into position to face Asagoe by rallying from a 5-1 third set deficit Thursday to upset No. 22 seed Jelena Dokic of Yugoslavia.

"What motivates me are Grand Slam tournaments," said Pierce. "To win another one, I'd probably have a breakdown on the court or something. It would make it that much sweeter considering everything I've gone through in the last couple of years.

It's definitely a dream, so if that happens, it would be great. If not, I can look back whenever I retire one day and say I had a pretty good career."

Pierce, who was one of the most physical players on the women's tour when she won the Australian Open in 1995 and the French Open in 2000, admits her physical conditioning is not what it should be for a Grand Slam event.

In the past two years, she has suffered from tendinitis in her shoulder and rotator cuff, tendinitis in both ankles and an inflammation of her lower spine.

"Mentally, I'm there but my body's not following my mind yet," Pierce said. "There are things I want to do and I feel limited at times. That's where my patience has to come in. The mental part I guess is experience, maturity."

Pierce seems almost carefree on the court, a far cry from her younger days when she was driven relentlessly by her father and coach, Jim Pierce. She was born in Montreal, grew up in Florida and then moved to France after her father had a serious of battles with the U.S. Tennis Association.

Mary Pierce, who turned pro at just 14 years of age, ultimately parted company with her father and the Women's Tennis Association barred him from attending tournaments for his bizarre behavior.

"I enjoy it. I appreciate if more every day and the process that it takes," said Pierce. "I feel like I am really blessed to have the life that I have and to be able to do what I do. I don't feel like I have a job. Of course, I don't like to pack, I don't like to be away from my home and family and friends and dogs and stuff, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

"So having injuries and being home and not being able to play when I wanted to, I just really missed it. I'm just happy to be healthy and able to compete again."

Pierce actually is in excellent position for a spot in the quarterfinals. Her next opponent will be seventh seed Anastasia Myskina of Russia, who has struggled through her first three matches.

Myskina was taken to three sets by Henrieta Nagyova of Slovakia, Antonella Serra Zanetti of Italy and Maria Antonia Sanchez Lorenzo of Spain and has been suffering from painful blisters on her foot. If Pierce gets by Myskina, her potential quarterfinal opponent would be second seed Justin Henin-Hardenne of Belgium.

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