At only 14 years of age, Germany's Annett Kaufmann is not yet listed in the senior women's world rankings. She is, however, the #10 cadet (under 15) girl in the world. Today at the Düsseldorf Masters, she proved she is ready to play with the big girls. The season-ending tournament is without defending women's champion Han Ying of Germany, leaving the field wide open. The unseeded Kaufmann plays left-handed, using the widely preferred shakehand grip in her offense-oriented game. While being a southpaw German shakehand attacker may evoke facile comparisons to her countrymen Timo Boll and Jörg Rosskopf, her lightning-quick step-around forehand attacks are actually more reminiscent of France's 1993 world champion Jean-Phillipe Gatien. The unfortunate recipient of this forehand fusillade was also French. Marie Migot, 21, was a huge favorite entering today's match. Listed at #178 in the senior women's world rankings, the fourth-seeded Migot had received a first round bye while Kaufmann had to battle her way through the round of 16. Kaufmann advanced with a 3-1 win over her compatriot Yuki Tsutsui. With the advantage of a morning warm-up and tune-up under her belt, Kauffmann was ready for Migot. The reverse, however, may not have been entirely true. With her forehand firing on all cylinders, Kaufmann blasted her way to the semifinals with a clutch (11-5, 11-13, 11-8, 9-11, 12-10) win. "I would not have thought that I play so well," reflected the victorious teen. "In the beginning it was a very high speed match against Marie, which I had to get used to. But in the course of the match I discovered a few weaknesses in her game which I could always take advantage of. I am happy to be in the semi-finals. I definitely didn't expect this before." In tomorrow's semis, Kaufmann faces an even tougher opponent in her top-seeded compatriot Nina Mittelham. The world #39, Mittelham will certainly be on high alert after witnessing Migot's misfortune. Annett Kaufmann, of course, is playing with house money. Young, talented and playing with nothing to lose, the old guard may indeed find her very upsetting.

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