Federer, Roddick Clash Today at Wimbledon

Posted on July 3, 2005

Venus Beats Davenport for Third Wimbledon Title

No. 14 seed Venus Williams ousted a back-addled world No. 1 Lindsay Davenport 4-6, 7-6(4), 9-7 Sunday for her third career Wimbledon title in the longest singles final in Open Era history at the All-England Club.

Venus overcame some choking doubles faults as the third set, with no tiebreaker at Wimbledon, went into overtime, becoming the first woman since 1935 to win after facing a match point in the final. It was her first slam title in almost four years.

"There were so many times when I was just trying to stay in the match," Williams said during the trophy ceremony where she danced, smiled and preened for the cameras. After thanking her family and friends before the Wimbledon crowd, Venus was asked by an interviewer about congratulating her opponent -- creating another opportunity to bring the conversation back to her. "Really, I couldn't have asked to play a better player today to bring my level up."

Venus also won Wimbledon in 2000 and 2001, and was runner-up to sister Serena in 2002 and 2003.

Davenport fought a back injury in the third set and took a lengthy time-out leading 4-3.

"Every time the chips were down for Venus, she played unbelievable," said Davenport, who said the sore back wasn't a factor in her defeat, but clearly struggled with her movement late in the third set. "I thought I played really well and I thought I had a lot of chances, and I feel like she never let me take advantage of those chances."

Venus also set a record as the lowest-seeded winner at No. 14.

In doubles play, the unseeded team of Svetlana Kuznetsova and Amelie Mauresmo upset No. 5 seeds Elena Likhovtseva and Vera Zvonareva of Russia 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-1, then later in the day ousted No. 8 seeds Anna-Lena Groenefeld and Martina Navratilova 6-4, 6-4 to reach the final.

They will contest the championship against No. 2 seeds Cara Black and Liezel Huber, who brushed aside No. 11-seeded Aussies Bryanne Stewart and Samantha Stosur 6-0, 6-2.

On tap for Sunday is the doubles final in (2) Black/Huber vs. Kuznetsova/Mauresmo.

Roddick Joins Federer in Wimbledon Final for Second Year

Andy Roddick advanced to his second consecutive Wimbledon final Saturday, defeating No. 12-seeded Swede Thomas Johansson in a four-set thriller 6-7(6), 6-2, 7-6(10), 7-6(5) to earn a rematch with two-time defending champion Roger Federer.

"Today I felt like I played great stuff," Roddick said. "The level of tennis out there was very, very high. I'm glad that I was able to kind of keep it up and stay the course, I'm able to get another shot at Roger tomorrow."

Roddick will try and improve on his 1-8 career record versus the Swiss, whose aura of invincibility on grass has been acknowledged by all, approaching Bjorn Borg's record of 41 consecutive wins on grass with 35 straight. Federer has beaten Roddick twice since last year's Wimbledon final, in the final of ATP stops at Bangkok and the Masters Series-Canada, both in straight sets.

In the men's doubles final, the qualifying Aussie/South African pair of Stephen Huss and Wesley Moodie shocked No. 2 seeds Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan 7-6(4), 6-3, 6-7(2), 6-3 for their first title as a team in their first pairing at the tour level.

"I think we complement each other very well," Huss said. "Wes is obviously a big hitter of the ball and a big server. That gives me opportunities around the net, which is my strength, sort of moving around the net, trying to cut off balls. Wes is a really, you know, big presence at the net to really help me out on my serve. We just kind of clicked."

The Bryans have lost their last five slam finals since winning their first at Roland Garros in 2003.

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