Теннис

[Vardan]

[Vardan]

[Vardan]

Davenport Does it With Style

Tuesday, June 28, 2005

Lindsay Davenport today won through to the fifth Wimbledon semi-final of her career. After a tough first set battle against Svetlana Kuznetsova, she overwhelmed the reigning US Open champion to win 7-6 (7-1), 6-3, and will now play Amelie Mauresmo in Thursday's semi-final.

Davenport, 29, was already guaranteed that she would hold on to her world No.1 spot no matter who wins the title here, thanks to her tough fourth round win on Monday over Kim Clijsters. But the 1999 Wimbledon champion was naturally thrilled to beat Kuznetsova, who beat her on the way to the US Open title last autumn.

"I played a good tiebreak and good second set," she smiled afterwards. "It seemed like every time I had break point, she aced me. Yesterday was a tough match against Kim. I was glad to come back from that. I have a good record against Amelie but I haven't played her on grass. She's playing really well. She's a great athlete and I admire her a lot. I'm really looking forward to it."

The first set developed into an intriguing battle after Kuznetsova got off to a wobbly start. She served two aces in the first game, yet was still broken courtesy of unforced errors. But by deploying her big shot - the forehand - she began to open up the court, and as Jimmy Connors observed, "her first serve right up the tee is her bread and

butter".

A double fault by Davenport handed the Russian an opportunity and a deep return of serve forced the error for the break back. The set went with serve until at 5-4 Kuznetsova hit a backhand passing shot down the line for set point. Davenport - using all the experience of an eight-time Wimbledon quarter-finalist - stayed in control to

exorcise the risk. It was to prove a pivotal moment in the set.

A crosscourt forehand pass from the American gave her break point for 6-5, which Kuznetsova could not save. But then it was Davenport's turn suddenly to lose her touch, giving Kuznetsova two chances to break back. Another unforced error from Davenport, and the set arrived at the tiebreak. The frustrated American was so cross that she bounced her racket on the turf and cracked it, although she escaped a warning from the umpire. Yet after all that nip-and-tuck Davenport dominated the tiebreak.

Watching the match for the BBC, Tracy Austin put the set into context. "Last month at the French, Svetlana held match point over Justine Henin-Hardenne, couldn't take it and Justine went on to win the title," said the 1979 US Open champion. "Last year at the French she held match point over Anastasia Myskina, couldn't take it and Anastasia went on to win the title. That's on her mind big time. I was talking to her at Eastbourne and she was asking me if I thought it would stay with her for a long time - how long she would be thinking about the loss of those matches where she had match point. She does think about those two matches still.

"Last year not many picked Svetlana to win the US Open - I can't think of anyone who did. She's really struggled with the expectation since then, and has had off-and-on results. But her powerful forehand and strong legs mean she can be extremely dangerous. She certainly trains extremely hard and is very focused."

Davenport began the second set as she had the first, holding her own serve and breaking her opponent.

Kuznetsova conceded the latter game with her sixth double fault, at which point the respective confidence of the two opponents was poles apart. When Davenport held again there was clear blue water between them for the first time. Once again, when tested she was quietly getting into her game and stretching away from her challenger.

"Lindsay is completely about tennis and family," said Austin. "She's happily married, close to her sisters and nieces. She doesn't enjoy all that extra off-court stuff that some players do. I was with her in a grocery store in Wimbledon village the other day and not many people recognised her which is exactly the way she likes it.

"I grew up in the same area as her in southern California and I would never even have bet one dollar that she could get to be world No.1. She always had great hands, but never the shape. So she has worked tremendously hard and done so well to reach that high. She has worked on her fitness, getting slimmer and moving better as a result. It makes her a smarter player because she stays in the points longer. In the past some of the taller women were not good athletes. Now they move as well as the other players.

"After last year's semi-final defeat to Maria Sharapova, Lindsay said she might not be back. Thank goodness she is."

Meanwhile back on Court One, it suddenly seemed Kuznetsova was simply going through the motions, and a fabulous crosscourt forehand gave Davenport three break points for 4-0. Yet the Russian turned it around to get her name on the second set scoreboard, and keep herself in the contest. But it was too late. She saved a match point on her own serve at 2-5, but when it came to Davenport's turn she closed it out with an ace.

So Davenport, the low-key top seed, is still on course to collect her first Slam title in five-and-a-half years. Jimmy Connors for one believes it is a far better prize than to be world No.1.

"I like that she is so comfortable in her own skin," the two-time Wimbledon champion said. "That's important, to keep your head when all about you are losing theirs. Now's the time when it all gets a little crazy, when people begin to talk about you winning Wimbledon - yet Lindsay stays calm. That's good. But winning the Slams is much more important than being No.1. That feeling just can't be matched. Don't get me wrong - being No. 1 is great, but coming through in the majors is the best feeling."

The way Davenport is playing, she may yet get her fourth experience of a Slam title win come Saturday.

[Vardan]

[Vardan]

[Vardan]

Mauresmo Ends Myskina's Run

Tuesday, June 28, 2005

Amelie Mauresmo, the No.3 seed, reached the semi-finals of Wimbledon for the third time today when she defeated Anastasia Myskina, 6-3, 6-4.

Myskina had reached the last eight the hard way. She was 4-1 down in the second set and 4-2 in the third against Czech qualifier Katerina Bohmova in the opening round; threw away three match points and the second set before trailing 5-1 in the third versus Serbian Jelena Jankovic in the third round; and saved two match points against compatriot Elena Dementieva in the round of 16.

This was in stark contrast to Mauresmo, who had only dropped 15 games in her four matches. A series of comfortable wins conserves energy and lifts confidence, but it is questionable whether it makes you battle-heartened.

There was no doubt Myskina has toughened herself up but whether she had taken too much out of herself physically and emotionally remained to be seen as the Russian faced the French No.1.

Myskina went into the Centre Court match having surprised many at this tournament with her resilience. This year her form has been erratic, with injury concerns and personal worries about the health of her mother.

Her tennis reached its nadir in 2005 at the French Open where, as defending champion, she lost in the opening round. But she reported at Eastbourne two weeks ago that mum Galina was feeling better and that seems to have coincided with improved performances.

World No.3 Mauresmo has had a decent year - winning in Antwerp and Rome and making the quarter-finals of the Australian Open - although she was brought down to earth by Russian qualifier Vera Douchevina at the Hastings Direct International Championships on England's south coast a fortnight ago. She could only hope that the grass at SW19 was greener.

Mauresmo broke Myskina early in the first set to stamping her authority on the match. Mauresmo has an ability to mix her game; she is equally comfortable at the net and on the baseline.

But on occasion her versatility can work against her as she becomes indecisive about whether to chip and charge or stay put. Certainly, her volleying was crisp but she started to lose out in the baseline rallies as Myskina broke back.

With the wind blustering around court, Myskina struggled on her serve and was broken once more before Mauresmo secured the opening set. It was a similar pattern in the second but with Mauresmo's dominance more pronounced as she broke brittle Myskina for a second time. Her game was starting to flow as she found the rhythm that has remained with her through most of her campaign at Wimbledon this year.

Mauresmo's movement around the court reflected a player comfortable in her own performance and she showed her athleticism to spring and set up three match points with an overhead smash. She only needed one of them.

Written by Mike Donovan

[Vardan]

[Vardan]

[Vardan]

[Vardan]

[Vardan]

[Vardan]

Mauresmo Goes for Glory

Tuesday, 28 June, 2005

Amelie Mauresmo hopes it will be third time lucky when she takes on Lindsay Davenport in the Wimbledon semi‑finals on Thursday. The French woman has twice lost in the last four, in 2002 and 2004, and intends to avoid another disappointment.

Her loss to Serena Williams 12 months ago was particularly galling for the French No.1, still in search of her first Grand Slam title. She held match points before Williams moved through, only to be defeated by Maria Sharapova in the final.

Mauresmo, the third seed, overcame Russian Anastasia Myskina to reach the last four with a performance that demonstrated she has found her rhythm in the 2005 Championships.

She says: "I was very close last year. I thought my game was consistent and I was aggressive, coming in very often and I almost beat Serena. But I had two or three key moments, when I dropped my intensity. That probably made the difference. We'll see how it goes this year but I know I will have to be 100 per cent on all the points and make sure I take my opportunities."

Maursemo knows that Davenport, the 1999 Champion and favourite for this year's title, provides her biggest test at these Championships. She says: "Lindsay's serving well since the beginning of the tournament and returning aggressively. But she hasn't played the type of game that I play, so we will see how she reacts.

"I watched a little bit of her match against Kim Clijsters (in the fourth round) and she looked impressive from the baseline. It's going to be a tough one. As the tournament goes on, it is going to get tougher and tougher to win. But it is a great challenge."

Even if Davenport comes out all guns blazing with her big serve, the 25‑year‑old remains unfazed. She says: "I won't have anything to lose, just focus on my game. That's what I want to do because when I play my game it is very effective whoever the player is on the other part of the net."

Mauresmo, 26 next week, wears a tattoo of an angel on her shoulder. Some might believe it is symbolic of the way she has flown through the draw at this year's Championships. Her success, however, is more to do with the French No.1 finding out just how much she is suited to grass.

It is becoming apparent that Wimbledon could provide her best opportunity of her first taste of Grand Slam glory. The way she chipped and charged at every available opportunity against Myskina in front of a captivated Centre Court crowd showed she had the nerve to mix her game up on the biggest tennis stage of all.

Mauresmo will have to overcome an 8‑3 against head‑to‑head record against Davenport but, in the form she has displayed at Wimbledon this year, the French player just might get the better of the 29‑year‑old American this time.

Written by Mike Donovan

[Vardan]

[Vardan]

Davenport Grows Stronger

Tuesday, 28 June, 2005

The fact that Lindsay Davenport's picture graces the cover of the Women's Tennis Association 2005 player guide was probably intended as a tribute to one who has been such a central part of the game for so many years. It was probably intended, too, as a thank-you for all those years, when Davenport announced after last summer's Wimbledon that she planned to retire.

Instead of which, the resurgent 29-year-old from Laguna Beach, California, who last won a Grand Slam (the US Open) five years ago, has matched her 2004 performance of reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals and is confident of going the distance.

Following her 7-6, 6-3 quarter-final victory over the US Open champion, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Davenport admitted, "I totally believed what I said about retirement at the time. I hadn't felt I really contended in a Grand Slam. Even though I was doing okay, I never really believed in the quarter-finals that I was going to pull through and win.

"After experiencing the kind of success I had throughout my career [three Grand Slams and a total of 47 career titles], I didn't want to be out there just to make the round of 16, or hope to get to a semi one time.

"After such a long career I was looking forward to doing some different things, starting a different life. But all of a sudden after I opened my big mouth [about retirement] I started playing a lot better, started believing for the first time in a couple of years exactly what I was capable of doing.

"Now retirement is so far from my mind. I can't even think right now of stopping. I feel really excited to still be where I'm at and I'm looking forward to the challenges that are still presenting themselves."

Davenport feels that her sudden surge of form following that announcement about giving up tennis was due to a change of routine. "I started working with a different trainer pretty hard in October 2003 and I spend far less time on the practice court now than I ever have, and spend a lot more time in the gymn. I feel that probably gave me more confidence, it got me into a bit better shape.

"Cutting back on the tennis has actually made me play better and enjoy it more. Obviously, I've played for so long I don't need to be hitting hours and hours a day. If I can just keep my timing up and work on some stuff off the court, I feel that's all I need right now.

"I feel I'm a better player overall now. The game is so much better now than it was in the mid to late Nineties that I think I've done a good job staying with all the improvements and being able to improve my game. There's no question that physically I'm a better athlete and I believe a smarter player."

Written by Ronald Atkin

[Vardan]

Maria Eyes Venus Challenge

Tuesday, 28 June, 2005

Maria Sharapova's defence of the Wimbledon title is following much the same passage as her race to the Championship a year ago. On that evidence the course may now become a little tougher for the 18-year-old second seed.

Last year Sharapova went into the quarter-finals without dropping a set but then went the distance against Ai Sugiyama. It was a similar three set battle against Lindsay Davenport in the semi-finals before Sharapova emerged to tackle the final against Serena Williams. That, of course, she won in straight sets.

Next for Sharapova in the semi-finals comes the challenge of former champion Venus Williams, keeping the family name alive at Wimbledon after the departure of sister Serena on Saturday night.

"She has a big game, you know, she is a great fighter," says Sharapova of Venus. "Every time we play we always have really tough matches. I just have to go out and battle it out and see who can come out and win the fight."

As for the level of confidence as she heads into the last four Sharapova says: "Last year I was just thrilled to be in the semi-finals. This year I am sort of expecting myself to be in the second week. I'm thrilled. When you are in the second week of a Grand Slam of course you are confident - but so are the opponents you are going to play. It's normal.

"It has been different because experience-wise I feel like I'm a much more experienced player this year. In certain situations last year I would have gone for my shots - this year I feel I've been in this situation before and I feel like I know what to do. It's different but I'm also expecting myself to know what to do in these certain situations.

"In the past year it's been really important for me to learn from different situations, either it's a winning situation or it's a losing situation. I've been able to bounce back from the losing positions and learn from them.

"Maybe when I'm down or it's close in the match I feel like I'm still in it. Mentally I'm still really, really tough."

Sharapova cannot bring the element of surprise to the semi-final as she did last year when she was seeded 13th. Now everyone knows her capabilities and the potential shape of her threat as second seed is perhaps easier to measure. But pinning her down and putting pressure on her is not proving that easy at this Wimbledon, as opponent after opponent is finding out.

Nadia Petrova had had her best Wimbledon but still could not exert pressure on Sharapova for more than a set today.

Sharapova has won 22 matches consecutively on grass, which is some achievement. Along with Lindsay Davenport she is the only woman to have been in the quarter-finals of all three Grand Slam championships played this year. That is why they have had such a great contest for the world No.1 ranking, which Davenport took with her into Wimbledon. She will still be at the top when she leaves, whatever happens in the later stages. But Sharapova could well overtake Davenport during the summer tour in the USA.

For now Sharapova is concerned only with holding on to what she has at Wimbledon. The way she is playing and moving and thinking she knows what is ahead. Her familiarity with the task at hand could prove to be decisive.

Written by Barry Newcombe

[Vardan]

McEnroe Back With a Win

Tuesday, June 28, 2005

An exciting newcomer arrived on a packed Wimbledon's No.2 Court today. Make a note of the name, as you might hear it again some time - a certain John Patrick McEnroe, making his debut in the Gentlemen's 45 And Over Invitational Doubles, in his first competitive match on the lawns of Wimbledon since 1999 with Steffi Graf in the mixed doubles.

At McEnroe's side was his old partner and now fellow BBC commentator, Peter Fleming. Time there was when that collaboration won four Wimbledon and three US Open crowns, among 42 assorted doubles titles, and was ranked No.1 in doubles for a total of 257 weeks.

Arriving on court to face Britons John Lloyd and John Feaver, McEnroe prompted a ripple of laughter and applause by his choice of clothing, Nadal-style pirate trousers - just to show what an up-to-the-moment guy he is, or maybe just to keep the old bones warm. In any case, he topped off the look with his signature bandana of yesteryear.

With only Feaver of the protagonists not among the BBC contributors this Wimbledon, up in the commentary box Andrew Castle described the encounter as "the most eagerly awaited match of Wimbledon so far - if only among some sections of the BBC commentary team". Meanwhile, Sue Barker remarked that at least "this thriller" could not possibly prompt any need for slow motion action replays.

McEnroe's main concern appeared to be Lloyd's right knee, which is not in tiptop condition these days. (Castle said: "If he took that little bandage off, he'd fall over.") McEnroe was worried that the problem knee, on which Lloyd has endured more than one dose of surgery, would not last the match. It took enough of a test in the first game, which McEnroe served out to love, including two aces. He also delivered a volley which connected with Feaver's backside. "Well, you hit a big target there," observed Lloyd helpfully.

McEnroe was enjoying himself, with much fist-clenching and a complicated celebration routine involving running backwards while pumping his fist. There was also a lot of comedy scowling. In any case, the crowd lapped it all up. Meanwhile, an early break of Fleming's serve was hauled back, and it went with serve until the Americans broke for 5-3. On McEnroe's serve, the set was soon in the bag.

McEnroe, of course, has been helping out some of the players in the main men's draw on the practice courts each morning this Wimbledon, so his game is in particularly good shape. He is still able to get down for those low returns around the net.

Fleming once famously, and generously, said that the best doubles pairing in the world was "McEnroe and anyone". Not that Fleming was entirely uncritical of McEnroe today, hurling his racket to the ground in mock-disgust at a mistake from his partner, and bellowing at the crowd: "I've had to put up with this guy for 30 years!"

But Fleming, who even now maintains his lifelong habit as referring to McEnroe as "Junior", has been practising regularly for this encounter, hitting two or three times a week. He also helps out the British juniors (he is resident in London) which, as Jimmy Connors remarked, "must keep him on his toes".

Of course, for all the smiles on court, winning still matters hugely to all parties around the net today. Lloyd chided himself in the frankest possible terms for failing to get his service over the net as often as he would like. McEnroe, meanwhile, once told this correspondent that if he had known Todd Woodbridge would come along and break his all-time record of 77 doubles titles that he would have kept playing for several years longer. I smiled when he said it - until his face told me he meant it.

Presumably he enjoyed today's outing. The Americans broke their opponents for 4-3 in the second set, after which McEnroe delivered an ace for match point. "One more!" he roared at himself. "You're my man, Johnny!"

A McEnroe volley sealed the match for himself and Fleming 6-3, 6-4, with just 54 minutes gone. Just two more wins and another trophy will be theirs. Can there be a silverware cabinet large enough?

Written by Kate Battersby

[Vardan]

[Vardan]

Dark Horse Johansson Riding High

Tuesday, 28 June, 2005

Thomas Johansson, at 30 years old, is the oldest man left in the men's singles quarter-final line-up. The last time the Swede advanced further than the fourth round in a Grand Slam was in 2002, when he went all the way to win the Australian Open.

In beating Max Mirnyi, who led the ace count of The Championships, in the fourth round, he secured a quarter-final tie against David Nalbandian.

Johansson needed mobility and agility to return Mirnyi's serves and won most of the exhaustive rallies. "It was one of my best matches. I varied my game well, returned and served well and succeeded in my lobs which does not happen every day," he told the Swedish tabloid Expressen.

Johansson has a decent serve and the versatile Swede's all-round game has been consistent this fortnight. At his best, he hits winning shots off both the forehand and backhand, as well as mixing drop shots and accurate lobs.

He is the last Swede to have won a Grand Slam since Stefan Edberg's US Open title in 1992. Returning from a left knee injury in 2004, he quickly clawed his way back into the top 30 in the world, and now ranks at No.22. Johansson's previous best at the All England Club was on his debut in 1996 when he reached the fourth round. He repeated the feat in 2000.

Curiously, one of Johansson's hitting partners is better known for his football skills. Tomas Brolin helped Sweden to a bronze medal in the 1994 World Cup in the USA with his goals. "He is a brilliant fan, and shouts and screams in my support," Johansson told the Swedish paper Kvällsposten. Brolin has been watching all Johansson's matches in The Championships.

His support should be welcome in Johansson's game against Nalbandian. The 23-year-old Argentine is seeded six points below the Swede's rank of 12 but his grass court credentials are impressive. He was the Wimbledon runner-up in 2002 and reached the fourth round in 2003. Last year he was unable to take part because of an injury.

Were Johansson to beat Nalbandian, whom he has never played, either Sebastien Grosjean or Andy Roddick would await in the last hurdle before the Wimbledon final.

Johansson has started the psychological warfare against Nalbandian, the bookies' favourite to win their match. He told Expressen: "If he trained harder, he should comfortably be among the top five in the world."

Asked about how to beat the Argentine, Johansson said: "It will be largely a baseline match. I have to play aggressively and hit the ball properly not to allow him to dictate the match."

Written by Jukka Viskari

[Vardan]

[Vardan]

[Vardan]

[Vardan]

[Vardan]

Gonzalez Raises Chile's Profile Again

Tuesday, 28 June, 2005

The last time a Chilean made it to the quarter-finals at Wimbledon, Mikhail Gorbachev was the leader of Soviet Russia, Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie had just won the Grammy for the best song of the year, "We are the World", and the United States under Ronald Reagan had become a debtor nation for the first time since 1914.

It was 1985 and a young man from Santiago by the name of Ricardo Acuna had raised the hopes of the South American nation. He made history by reaching the quarter-finals at Wimbledon only to lose in straight sets to Jimmy Connors. Acuna was never able to repeat that feat, nor have any of his countrymen before this year. Chileans stopped expecting from their tennis stars and Acuna's career-best performance became a fading memory.

But on Monday, 20 years after Acuna's quarter-final appearance at Wimbledon, another Chilean, Fernando Gonzalez, matched that feat and became the new hero of the nation.

"I am happy and I hope we don't have to wait for another 20 years," Gonzalez said after knocking out Russia's Mikhail Youzhny in straight sets to earn himself that quarter-final berth. The No.21 seed is in fine form at this year's Championships and has yet to drop a set. That may change in his quarter-final encounter where his opponent is the mighty top seed and defending champion, Roger Federer.

Realistically, Gonzalez's chances are slim but then tennis is a game that can turn around unpredictably. Moreover, given Gonzalez's track record in the past couple of years, he should at least be able to put up a gritty fight.

The 24-year-old reached the US Open quarter-finals in 2002 and was also a quarter-finalist at the French Open the following year. At the Athens Olympics last year, Gonzalez won gold in the doubles with Nicolas Massu along with a bronze in the singles. The Chilean has already bettered his Wimbledon record this year. His previous best achievement was reaching the third round last year.

"This is my best tournament so far," Gonzalez said of Wimbledon. "I am enjoying it. Federer will have to win his match but he will not have it easy. I will give him a tough match."

The Chilean's confidence is noteworthy especially given the fact that his first love is for clay courts and there are no real grass courts in his home country. He admits to having a little practice on synthetic grass used for football matches.

Written by Sajid Shaikh

[Vardan]

[Vardan]

Tracy and Jana Turn Back Time

Tuesday, June 28, 2005

Watching Jana Novotna in action on Court 6 today, it was easy to conclude she would still cut a swathe through a good portion of the main draw. Instead, looking as fit as ever, she sliced and diced her way through an easy first win in the round robin-style Over 35s Ladies' Doubles.

We may have to wait another decade or so for a Martina-style comeback by the 1998 champion and two-time runner-up. But for now Novotna is plainly happy to be back at the scene of her greatest triumph. With her partner Tracy Austin she overpowered and outclassed Ilana Kloss of South Africa and Katerina Maleeva of Bulgaria in straight sets, 6-1, 6-0.

The pair raced to a 5-0 lead in the first set, finally dropping a game when Maleeva held serve for the first time. The set was secured on Austin's serve with ease.

After breaking Maleeva in the first game of the second set Novotna and Austin showed no mercy. They kept their returns low and their volleys found the gaps. It's not that long since Novotna left the circuit, after all, and her superior weight of shot made a difference. Her team did not concede another game.

Kloss and Maleeva did their best to keep the net action directed at Austin, the former world No.1 and two-time U.S. Open champion, but most of the time the ploy didn't work.

Though not remembered for her volleying prowess, Austin is no slouch at the net, having won the Wimbledon Mixed Doubles title with her brother John in 1980. She may not hit the ball as hard as she once did but she still possesses the court craft to outfox lesser opponents.

Under her baseball cap it's hard to believe it is a quarter of a century since Austin was the celebrated teenage prodigy.

At the end of the match the smiling pair worked their way through the autograph scrum, largely made up of fans too young to remember their triumphs first-hand - if they were born at all. It's likely some were just thrilled to secure the signature of a BBC commentator such as Tracy Austin.

Hopefully some background research on her too-brief career - she retained a 9-8 head-to-head record over Chris Evert, no less - will set them right.

Written by Adam Lincoln