TENNIS ~ TENNIS ~ TENNIS ~ TENNIS ~ TENNIS ~

Sharapova storms to Wimbledon glory

Maria Sharapova produced a remarkable display of power and poise to upset Serena Williams and win her first Wimbledon crown. Williams was expected to make it a hat-trick of titles, but a stunned Centre Court crowd watched as she was overpowered 6-1 6-4 by the 17-year-old. Sharapova, in her first Grand Slam final, took the first set in 30 minutes. Williams was a break up in a compelling second set, but Sharapova found another level to take her first Grand Slam. Sharapova, the first Russian woman to win the Wimbledon title, sank to her knees as her victory was confirmed and then climbed to the players' box to hug her father. "It's unreal," she told BBC Sport after collecting the trophy. It wasn't my day today but Maria played a really good match Serena Williams "My father and I have been through this together and it's just amazing. "I know how tough it is to watch and playing is a lot easier so I owe him so much."

Top seed Williams looked devastated as she saw her hopes of a third straight Wimbledon title slip away, but afterwards she praised her opponent. "It wasn't my day today but Maria played a really good match - and I want to congratulate her on her first Grand Slam, " she said.

YOUNGEST WIMBLEDON WINNERS

1. Lottie Dodd 1887 15 years 9 months

2. Martina Hingis 1997 16 years 9 months

3. Maria Sharapova 2004 17 years 2 months

Making her debut in a Grand Slam final, Sharapova showed no sign of nerves. Indeed it was Williams, the six-times Grand Slam winner, who was struggling to find her rhythm and the top seed fired a backhand long to give the Russian an early 3-1 lead.

It quickly became 5-1 when Sharapova whipped a backhand winner cross-court to break for the second time. Serving out the set did not prove so easy, but after seeing three set points go by, the Russian took control of the final after just 30 minutes. But Williams was not ready to surrender her crown without a fight, and she engineered her first service break of the match to lead 4-2 in the second set. Sharapova, though, has impressed observers with her ability to ignore setbacks, and she proved it again in the final. The teenager broke straight back and then even had her opponent applauding when she produced a stunning lob in the next game. That shot appeared to inspire her and she stepped up a level again. The ninth game proved crucial, and the crowd could hardly believe their eyes. Williams was sent rushing all over the court as she battled to avoid the break, but the Russian remained ice cool. On her fourth opportunity, she finally earnt the chance to serve for the match, and Williams' fightback was over.

Federer fights back to retain title

Roger Federer had to dig deep as he fought back to beat Andy Roddick and claim a second successive Wimbledon title in a rain-hit final. The American underdog looked in control at one set all and a break up. A subdued Federer only found his rhythm after a second rain stoppage, breaking back and racing through the tie-break. Federer saved six more break points in the fourth set, but broke Roddick to lead 4-3 and served out for a 4-6 7-5 7-6 6-4 win and the title. After a stuttering display, he completed the victory with an ace before sinking to his knees and, like last year, breaking into tears. "I cried before so that's enough but it's still an unbelievable feeling," Federer told BBC Sport after claiming his third Grand Slam title. "I kind of like the 100% record in Grand Slam finals, these are the ones that really count and to have won my favourite tournament twice is incredible."

I threw the kitchen sink at him but he went to the bathroom and got his tub Andy Roddick

And he admitted that he had only claimed victory by the narrowest of margins. "I got lucky today for sure," he said. "I was down a break in the third set and if Andy had served a few better games it would have been two sets. "He also deserves this title and I hope we're going to play many more times here." Roddick had promised before the match that he would play to his strength - hitting the ball hard - and he kept his word, taking Federer's serve apart with his huge forehand in game three. A brief rain delay followed but Roddick returned in a similar mood, giving Federer no chance of a break as he battered his way to the first set.

FEDERER V RODDICK STATS

12------------Aces------------11

62%-----1st serve %-----61%

55-----------Winners---------51

128------Serve mph-------145

3-------Double faults--------5

28----Unforced errors-----32

5/10-----Break points----4/14

"He played very aggressively and I got a bit surprised at the start," admitted the top seed.

Federer was well below his best but took advantage as his opponent's level dropped at the start of the second set, racing 4-0 clear. A pumped-up Roddick was not about to give up, however, fighting back with two breaks before a fortuitous net-cord gave the Swiss set point and he levelled with a big forehand. Roddick remained the aggressor and broke again to go 2-1 up in the third but a second rain break worked in the champion's favour, and he came back with an immediate break to set up the crucial tie-break. Finally, Federer found his range, with two spectacular backhands helping him through 7-3, but still he could not stamp his authority on the match. Roddick heaped the pressure on with six break points at the start of the fourth but failed to convert, and even a below-par Federer could not be given so many lifelines.

The champion found enough inspiration on his backhand to break to love for a decisive 4-3 lead. "Roger just played too good today," said Roddick. "I threw the kitchen sink at him but he went to the bathroom and got his tub. "I left everything out there but Roger is a great champion and hopefully we'll get to do this again sometime."

Double Delight for Cara Black

Sunday, July 4, 2004

It was a day Cara Black would never forget. She woke up this morning with the possibility of finishing the day holding two Wimbledon titles. It needed three matches to achieve the double dream but at the end of the day, with the Zimbabwean close to exhaustion, it came true. The achievements had special significance for her. She said: �I�ve won a doubles title at the French Open in the mixed but what I�ve been able to do today means more because Wimbledon always meant so much to my father Don, who passed away in 2000. He would have been looking down from heaven and smiling. It was he who got me and the rest of the family playing tennis and dreaming of winning at Wimbledon. He always used to go on about Wimbledon and how special it was. �But it was certainly an exhausting day. I�m tired but very happy.� High noon on Court 2 was the time and scene for her initial showdown. Having ended the hopes of Paola Suarez (Argentina) and Virginia Ruano Pascual (Spain) in the semi-finals, she and Australian partner Rennae Stubbs, seeded six, went into their women�s doubles final against Ai Sugiyama of Japan and South African Liezel Huber with their confidence high. It helped that they soon started to dominate and when Black finished the contest with a smash the optimism was justified. Diminutive Black, 25, was hugged off her feet by the tall, slim Stubbs. Their smiles were broad. The first title was in the bag.

But the second required more effort. She had teamed up with brother Wayne as sixth seeds for a tilt at the mixed doubles. They enjoyed a good run, beating the defending champions, Martina Navratilova and Leander Paes, along the way. Today�s semi-final was successfully negotiated as they defeated Bob Bryan and fellow American Lindsay Davenport, the singles semi-finalist. The final against Todd Woodbridge, who had completed a record nine men�s doubles tiles earlier in the day, and fellow Australian Alicia Molik saw them fight back to save a match point, before sealing victory just after 8.30pm. It had been quite a day. Black said: �It was great for African tennis.�

Gaudio claims French crown

Gaston Gaudio fought back from two sets down to win a bizarre French Open final 0-6 3-6 6-4 6-1 8-6 as Guillermo Coria suffered with cramp. Coria dominated early on but played the fourth set at walking pace and served with difficulty in the closing stages.

The crowd were stunned into silence, but Coria was soon fit enough to twice serve for the match in the fifth set. But cramp, or possibly nerves, saw him waste two match points and Gaudio came through in three hours 31 minutes. Gaudio received the trophy from Guillermo Vilas, who was the last Argentine to triumph at Roland Garros in 1977, before the country's national anthem was played.

The newly-crowned champion paid tribute to Vilas. "I want to thank Guillermo Vilas because it's thanks to him that we both started to play," said Gaudio. "Since I was a kid it was a dream for me and now I'm here it's too much for me. "Guillermo was playing unbelievable during these two weeks and for sure he'll get this title next year." Coria had looked on course for an embarrassingly easy victory after an hour as Gaudio appeared paralysed by nerves. But it was Coria who suffered with victory in sight and Gaudio hit back to take a tight third set. With the score at 1-1 in the fourth, Coria called for the trainer and had both legs massaged.

And to the amazement of both spectators and his opponent, the world number three strolled through the next five games, protecting his injury. After five breaks of serve in the fifth set and with Coria moving without difficulty, if still serving at half-pace, he served for the match at 5-4. That game disappeared to love and another opportunity went begging at 6-5 as Coria wasted two match points with loose groundstrokes. Gaudio needed no further invitation and raced through the next two games to claim a hugely unexpected first Grand Slam title.

The Roland Garros crowd responded with sympathy to Coria's plight, giving him a lengthy ovation after he picked up the runners-up plate. "I want to congratulate Gaston, he's had some problems and come through them," said Coria. "I'll be back next year."

Myskina takes French title

Anastasia Myskina became the first Russian woman to win a Grand Slam title, thrashing compatriot Elena Dementieva in the French Open final. Myskina dominated an embarrassingly one-sided match, triumphing 6-1 6-2 in less than hour.

Dementieva was let down by her serve, delivering 10 double faults and committing 33 unforced errors. Myskina showed no signs of nerves and came from break point down at 5-2 in the second set to triumph. "I can't believe it," said Myskina.

"I am really happy, just too emotional for words. I never thought I would be here when I was growing up in Moscow. "It's amazing because playing against my friend I had to hold my emotions in check." Dementieva, who beat Amelie Mauresmo and Lindsay Davenport on her way to the final, admitted she had been struck by nerves. "I was very tired and I was nervous," she said. "It was the first time in a Grand Slam final and it's a shame for me because it is my dream to win Roland Garros. "I hope it's not the last time I am in a Grand Slam final." It was Myskina who looked the more nervous when she double-faulted to lose her opening service game.

However, her compatriot responded with three double faults to surrender the break immediately. The ninth seed tried to break her opponent's rhythm by attcking the net but she was unable to cut out the errors and lost the next eight games. With the Roland Garros crowd willing her to put up a fight, Dementieva broke the run of games against her at 0-2 in the second set. And after two more double faults put her 0-30 down, she produced her best series of shots to hold serve.

But an assured-looking Myskina maintained her composure to hold for 4-2 and then broke again in the next game after two more doubles from Dementieva. Serving for the match, Myskina saved a break point and wrapped up the title when her opponent hit a forehand long.

Serena makes winning return

Serena Williams destroyed Elena Dementieva 6-1 6-1 to win the Nasdaq-100 Open for a third straight year.

The crushing victory was all the more impressive as it was Williams' first tournament appearance in eight months because of injury. Dementieva broke in the first game of the match before Williams reeled off 11 straight games to take a stranglehold. Dementieva broke as Williams served for the match at 5-0 in the second set, but Williams broke back to clinch the win.

Williams has dropped down to sixth in the rankings while off the tour, as Justine-Henin Hardenne has dominated. Henin-Hardenne and world number two Kim Clijsters were both absent from the tournament. The American admitted that she was surprised by her victory and said: "I think the rust has definitely worn off.

"Honestly, I didn't expect to win my first tournament back." And she confessed that she had taken inspiration from Monica Seles, who was the last person to win her first tournament back after more than six months out. "I used her as inspiration," Williams said. "I thought, `If Monica can do it, maybe I can at least win a few rounds'."

AUS OPEN 2004

Henin takes Australian crown

Justine Henin-Hardenne took her first Australian Open title with a dramatic 6-3 4-6 6-3 win over Kim Clijsters. The world number one had looked set for a comfortable victory over her fellow Belgian when she took the first set and established a 4-2 lead in the second. But Clijsters fought back brilliantly to level the match and then again in the decider after falling 0-4 down.

Henin-Hardenne found her form at the right time, however, to deny Clijsters a first major title for the third time. "It was very emotional. I thought I could not close the match in the second set, in the third set I felt the crowd give support to Kim," Henin-Hardenne said.

I think Justine played a great final and in the end she was too good Kim Clijsters

"Both of us were really nervous. On the important points I could win and I was feeling just unbelievable. "I have three Grand Slams now and I have not realised it yet." In a match which ebbed and flowed, the turning point for Clijsters came at 3-4 in the deciding set.

The action as it happened The 20-year-old twice had game point, but each time delivered a nervy double fault. Henin-Hardenne forced a break point which Clijsters looked to have saved with a powerful drive volley on to the baseline.

However, as Clijsters and the crowd celebrated, the umpire called the ball out and Clijsters could not recover. Serving for the match, Henin-Hardenne held her nerve and after clinching the win, dropped to her knees to celebrate.

BOSSO > UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE > THE ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP > WORLD FOOTBALL > SPORT