Golovin happy to team up with Wilander

STANFORD, California: Tatiana Golovin is pleased the French Tennis Federation has hired Swedish Davis Cup captain Mats Wilander to coach her for the rest of the US hardcourt summer.

Seven-times grand slam champion Wilander will begin coaching the 19-year-old Frenchwoman at the WTA Tour event in Los Angeles in two weeks' time and continue through to the August 27-September 9 US Open.

Golovin, who defeated Ukraine's Victoriya Kutuzova 6-2 6-2 in the first round of the Stanford Classic on Tuesday, said she met with Wilander for lunch in Paris last week and the two hit it off.

"I'm looking forward to it," Golovin said. "I'm sure he's going to have a lot to teach me and talk to me about. Everything I'm going to go through, he's been through, so the experience will help.

"But there's not too many expectations because I don't know how it's going to work out. It's a test to see how we get along and to see if we are on the same page."

The 19th-ranked Golovin had a good start to the season, winning her first career title at Amelia Island in April before re-injuring her right ankle, which forced her off the tour for two months.

Primarily a counterpuncher, Golovin is hoping that Wilander can teach her a few new tricks.

"He doesn't like the part of women's tennis where we hit as hard as we can and not really think out there," Golovin said.

Agencies

(China Daily 07/26/2007 page23)