By Chris Oddo | Friday, March 21, 2014
There have only been five three-set finals on the women's side in Miami since 2000 and all five have included either Serena or Venus Williams. The first of those five may have been the most memorable, as it marked Venus Williams' third Miami title in four years, and also marked most competitive match that Williams and Jennifer Capriati ever played (Venus went 4-0 vs. Capriati in four career matches).
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Coming in the aftermath of the widely publicized and controversial Indian Wells incident in 2001, Venus Williams showed incredible resolve, both in shaking free of the demons from the preceding event and in outlasting Capriati, even after finding herself match point down eight times.
"I was just able to hang in there through it all, through all my tough matches, through any ridiculous comments or questions I had to face," Williams said.
It wasn't a beautiful match the whole way through, as there were 27 double-faults and 124 unforced errors over the course of the two hour and twenty-four minute affair, which was played in 100 degrees heat, but in the end the match showcased the incredible fitness and willpower of both players, as they rose to the occasion and played a final set to remember.
Capriati saved three match points herself in the tiebreaker, but in the end it was Williams who prevailed, taking home her third Miami title and sealing her 18th straight win at the event.
"I got some lucky points," she told the crowd, "and here I am."