July 1, 2005
Davenport Endures Rain Delay to Reach Wimbledon Final
WIMBLEDON - World No.1 Lindsay Davenport needed two days to secure her final
spot in the Wimbledon final, defeating France's Amelie Mauresmo 67(5) 76(4)
64.
Davenport was leading 5-3 on Mauresmo's serve, 0-15 in the third set on
Thursday when rain forced them off the court and eventually cancelled the
remainder of the day's action. The match resumed on Friday, at 13:00 hours at
the All England Club and Davenport needed only 3 minutes and 44 seconds to
reach her third Wimbledon final.
Regarding the rain delay, Davenport said, "I finally felt like in the third
set I gained this momentum. I think I went on the biggest run of games I'd
won, from 3-2 down, up 5-3. I was thinking, 'Oh, my gosh, this is not going
to happen,' because right then the rain came. It's just a lot to mentally
absorb."
Upon returning to the court on Friday, Mauresmo served out the interrupted
game at love to bring the scoreline to 5-4 but Davenport rolled to victory on
her serve, without dropping a point. Mauresmo hit a forehand volley into the
net to advance Davenport into the final round.
It was Mauresmo's third consecutive semifinal defeat at the All England Club,
as the former World No.1 still attempts to clinch a Grand Slam title.
Disappointed with losing, Mauresmo admitted she was pleased overall with her
performance. "She (Davenport) was able to come back with great returning
games at the key moments and also some good serving in the third set not only
today, but also last night," Mauresmo said.
"You know, it is very disappointing. I think I played good tennis, very
aggressive. That's really what I wanted to do against her, and that's what I
did throughout the match, whether I was serving or returning."
In a rematch of the 2000 Wimbledon final, Davenport will meet Venus Williams
and attempt to avenge the loss that prevented her from defending her 1999
Championships run.
Both players are suffering a Grand Slam drought, as Davenport won her last
major in 2000 at the Australian Open and Venus won her last title in 2001 at
the US Open.
Davenport commented on reaching the final round, "I've had like this nervous
energy for 24 hours. I know I play Venus. She obviously must be playing
well. But for me right now it's just more about getting through a really
tough draw in the finals. I know this is a great opportunity. I haven't been
in a final in a number of years here at Wimbledon. So I'm just excited about
it."
--
※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc)
◆ From: 140.112.211.147