MADRID, Spain (AP)–Monica Seles and Chandra Rubin advanced to an all-American final Friday at the $170,000 Madrid Open.
Rubin easily defeated Fabiola Zuluaga 6-4, 6-2, but Seles struggled to a 4-6, 6-1, 6-3 victory over Paola Suarez to reach Saturday’s championship match of the clay court tournament.
Suarez took the first set with a strong service game and with precision returns just inside the lines. But Seles recovered and played well to win the next two sets.
Without doubt it has been the toughest game of the week, and it was very equal,'' said the top-seeded Seles, who won this event in 1992.I had a good serve, however, I won because I played better all the decisive points.”
Seles is looking for her second championship this year after winning in Doha. Rubin had no trouble with Zuluaga, the Madrid Open champion two years ago, showing no ill effects of a recent knee injury. She hasn’t won a tournament since 2000.