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 1999
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During the 1999 Australian Open, Amélie achieves world-class status, and becomes a celebrity in France. But her time in Australia was almost cut short. In the first round, Amélie saved two match points against an American player, Corina Morariu, to miraculously claim the victory. From that point on, Amélie proceeds to serenely defeat solid players, seemingly effortlessly. In the semi-final against the newly crowned No.1 player, Lindsay Davenport, Amélie clenches a historic 7-5 third set win. But in the final, Martina Hingis proves to be too much
“Those two weeks were unforgettable. In Australia, even though I couldn’t beat Martina Hingis, I finally took that final step and became a contender in women’s tennis. In Australia, I really came into my own. For two weeks, I felt as if I was unstoppable. From then on, I was a force to be reckoned with. “
The following month, Amélie settled the score with Martina Hingis at the Open Gaz de France, but lost in the final to Serena Williams.
A few weeks later in Bratislava, Amélie earns her first career title by defeating Kim Clijsters in the finals. Finishing in the quarter-finals at the French Open, Amélie suffers an ankle injury and has to forfeit Wimbledon. But for the first time in her career, she ends the season in the top 10 and qualifies for her first Masters tournament.
2000
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The year 2000 starts off with a bang. Amélie dominates in Sydney over Pierce and Hingis, and Davenport in the finals in two short sets. After the Open Gaz de France in February, Amélie decides to work with Alexia Dechaume-Balleret who had recently retired.
The year seems promising, but a back injury will seriously upset her season. Even though she reaches the finals in Bol and Rome, she just cannot seem to get her game on track. She is even forced to forfeit the US Open.
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