Arantxa Sanchez Vicario has the No. 1 ranking in women's tennis. Conchita Martinez has the No. 1 record.
In a rivalry dating to their early teens, the two 23-year-old Spaniards faced off in the final of the Italian Open.When the red clay dust has settled and playing what she said was some of her best tennis ever, Martinez was the winner 6-3, 6-1 Sunday to extend her winning streak on clay and make her a favorite at the French Open, the only Grand Slam tournament played on clay.
"It was a great match," said Martinez. "I played very aggressive tennis and tried not to make mistakes and not to rush."
It was her fourth consecutive tournament title, following wins at Hilton Head Island, S.C.; Amelia Island, Fla.; and Hamburg, Germany. She has lost only two sets in her last 21 matches.
Martinez was victorious on the grass at Wimbledon last year for her first Grand Slam tournament title, but that was considered a surprise. She made her first mark on clay, with 15 of her 23 career titles won on the slower surface.
Sanchez Vicario is no slouch on clay, either, winning the French Open twice, in 1989 and again last year.
She wasn't happy with her play Sunday.
"I was not my day. I didn't play well and gave her the chance to play well," Sanchez Vicario said.
The women's tournament gives way to the $2 million men's edition today. Pete Sampras, the world's No. 2 player, leads the field in defense of his Italian title.
In Hamburg, Andrei Medvedev showed he was ready for the French Open by retaining his German Open title Sunday with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 victory over Goran Ivanisevic.
While Ivanisevic's erratic play hardly tested Medvedev's skills, Medvedev said the good week which saw him defeat Sampras had restored his confidence.
"It was important to win," Medvedev said. "I've never defended a title before. I am very excited going into the French Open."
In Pinehurst, N.C., Sweden's Thomas Enqvist took advantage of a short lapse in concentration by Javier Frana early in the third set and held on to win the Rolling Rock U.S. Clay Court Championships.