Davenport Puts Paid to Mauresmo
Friday, July 1, 2005
Lindsay Davenport turned back the clock five years when she completed her
victory over Amelie Mauresmo today, 6-7, 7-6, 6-4.
The No.1 seeded American booked a place in this year's ladies' singles final
when she completed her unfinished semi-final with Mauresmo in less than 5
minutes. She will now play Venus Williams on Saturday in a repeat of their
ladies' final at the Millennium Championships.
Rain had already left a deep imprint on this match. Persistent showers not
only meant that play did not begin until after 5pm yesterday but the
semi-final was also shunted from Centre Court to No.1 Court to allow both
ladies' semi-finals to take place simultaneously.
The precipitation paused for just long enough for a wonderful match to
unravel. At the same time that Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams were
playing a thrilling match on Centre Court, Davenport and Mauresmo were
themselves carving out a classic.
Like so many semi-finals, this was a tremendous display of skill, tenacity
and power between two players desperate to reach the final. Davenport lost in
the semis last year to eventual winner Maria Sharapova, while Mauresmo had
never gone past the last four at The Championships. While the Frenchwoman
took the first set and broke early in the second to gain the initial
advantage, Davenport broke back and proceeded to level the match at a set
apiece.
The American took control in the third set and seemed ready to win the match
last night. However, with the score left precariously at 6-7, 7-6, 5-3 in
Davenport's favour and 0-15 on Mauresmo's serve, the heavens opened and no
more play was possible.
Only seven points were possible today and although Mauresmo managed to win
her service game, Davenport was unflustered and rounded off the match with
cool efficiency, serving out the match to love.
Davenport will now be looking to avenge her defeat against Venus Williams in
the 2000 final on Saturday.
Written by David Bates
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