Zvereva Gambles Pay Off : Tennis: Fearless approach is successful in upset of top-ranked Sanchez Vicario.

Nine previous times, Natasha Zvereva had plotted how she might undo Arantxa Sanchez Vicario’s persistent game. Only once had Zvereva been able to find the right combination of shots and tactics to beat her.

And that was before the Spaniard became No. 1.

Whatever plan Zvereva concocted for Saturday’s semifinal of the State Farm Evert Cup--she wouldn’t divulge strategic information--worked to perfection. The ninth-ranked Zvereva dismantled Sanchez Vicario, 7-5, 6-3, by taking risks and selecting shots that defy tennis convention.

“Every time we play, we clash,” Zvereva said. “I come out with my own ideas, my own tactics, and I’m doing the right thing. But she always tops it with something better. That is why, right now, I am overjoyed that I actually was able to top her in this particular match.”

Zvereva will play Mary Joe Fernandez in today’s final. Fernandez defeated Naoko Sawamatsu of Japan in the other semifinal at the Hyatt Grand Champions Resort, 6-4, 6-1.

Sanchez Vicario brought her new No. 1 ranking to be tested at this tournament. She very nearly lost to Chanda Rubin in the quarterfinals, and the prospect of playing the unpredictable Zvereva was enough to give Sanchez Vicario pause.

“She is really talented, everybody knows that,” she said of Zvereva, who is the top-ranked doubles player in the world.

“She’ll stay back, she can go to the net. She is a complete player. You have to play the ball deep and put pressure on her. If you let her play, then she can be dangerous.”

Zvereva was in danger in the first game, serving at love-40. She brushed off four break points to hold her serve and then broke Sanchez Vicario in her first service game.

Zvereva held her serve in the next game and suddenly she was up, 3-0, against the No. 1 player in the world.

But for Sanchez Vicario, coming from behind is a point of pride. She reeled off four consecutive games, as if to punish Zvereva for her impertinence. However, Zvereva does not respond well to conventional scolding. She broke the U.S. Open champion to make it 4-4 and then broke the Spaniard again in the 12th game to win the set.

Zvereva broke again in the second game of the second set, gaining the break with a backhand return down the line. The normally effusive Belarussian had, to that point, been stoic on court, but couldn’t resist a celebratory fist pump.

Turns out that Zvereva had been fighting to contain her emotions the entire match.

“I was trying to keep calm, more than I usually am,” she said. “I lose control sometimes. I can’t help it. Today I tried it and it worked. I stayed more or less calm throughout the match.”

Sanchez Vicario tried everything, but Zvereva’s game did not follow any logical progression. Her choices are often risky and unexpected. Zvereva is likely to try a drop shot at the very moment a deep cross-court shot it called for.

“She tries the most difficult shots,” Sanchez Vicario said, analyzing with some admiration.

Zvereva’s often reckless approach to playing is entirely of her own devising. She’s the only player in the top 15 who chooses not to have a coach.

In preparing for Saturday’s match, Zvereva couldn’t remember the last time she beat Sanchez Vicario, or if she had. (Sanchez Vicario holds the edge, 8-2.)

“Against her, I always choose the same game plan because I know it’s the best,” Zvereva said.

“I know I am doing something right and I am trying to pursue my ideas, my tactics. (Without a coach) I get to be in charge of my own life. That is the best part and I do enjoy it very much.”