Kim through to final in Paris

By Naomi C

            After utilising her ‘get out of jail free card’ in the quarterfinals against Silvia Farina-Elia a match in which she displayed incredible mental strength to come back from a set and 2-5 down, Kim improved her level for the semi-finals and moved through easily in around an hour.  Kim was simply too good for the young Russian Dinara Safina who will rise to a career high rank of number 31 on Monday. Safina was unable to produce the same magic that she did against top 20 players Patty Schnyder and Francesca Schiavone earlier in the event.

Kim began the match emphatically breaking Safina’s serve to love and ended just as impressively with an ace on her second match point. In the final Kim will face French favourite Mary Pierce who eliminated Tatiana Golovin 6-4 6-0. Kim will have to go to another level for Pierce as the French player will have undoubtedly the whole crowd behind her. 

Kim and Mary have only played on prior occasion that was in the semi-finals of Filderstadt indoors last year and Kim won 7-6 6-0. Kim was able to serve better today, however was still pushed on many of her service games. Many of Kim’s service games were extended to deuce but Kim displayed great poise to hold the majority of times and only be broken once in the entire match.

Kim will have to move Pierce around the court and take the advantage and come to the net because Pierce is an aggressive player and if Kim does not take the short balls and follow them in Pierce will and has the ability to dominate. Kim will also have to serve well, something she hasn’t really accomplished yet all season.

Kim is not only playing for her first Open Gaz De France title on Sunday but also the possibility of capturing her 20^th career title and considering that she is only 20 years old herself that would be an amazing accomplishment.

Good Luck Kim!!