ANNA PISTOLESI
Number 23 seed |
FACTFILE DOB: 16.07.1976 Nationality: Israeli World ranking: 23 Roland Garros record 2002:: first round 2001:: first round 2000:: first round 1999:: third round |
Eleven years after turning professional, Pistolesi put in her best ever year on tour last season at the age of 26.
And the Israeli, formerly Anna Smashnova, celebrated an excellent season by marrying her coach Claudio Pistolesi.
She began 2002 by winning two tournaments in a row in Auckland and Canberra, and later in the year confirmed her love of clay with a semi-final appearance at the German Open, including wins over Kim Clijsters and Daniela Hantuchova.
Pistolesi then picked up two more titles before competing at the end of season championships for the first time in her career.
Her Grand Slam record is disappointing but the French Open should offer her her best chance of progress, having reached the fourth round there in 1998.
MMIX
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