來源: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2641-1679403,00.html
英國泰唔士報
July 03, 2005
Wonderful Williams reclaims her crown
Nick Pitt at Wimbledon FOR THE SUNDAY TIMES
The two finalists turned on the power in a dramatic match that saw the
No1 seed come to grief
The scoreline suggests it was an epic, but it was a final short on
aesthetics and long on drama, which thrilled in the later stages but
also made one long for the silky subtleties of Maria Bueno, the grace
of Evonne Goolagong, or indeed, the attacking dynamism of Martina
Navratilova. And since these two baseline crunchers contested the final
back in 2000, it made one wonder about what happened to those who lost
their way in the intervening years, especially to that most natural and
subtle player, Martina Hingis, who is younger than either of yesterday’s
finalists.
At least the match wasn’t a dud, as most women’s Grand Slam finals have
been in recent years. This year, the French final was a non-event and the
Australian featured a bizarre collapse of nerve and body by Davenport. But
yesterday’s final had record longevity to recommend it, and much drama
before the outcome was settled. Davenport, it must be said, was also
unfortunate to be handicapped by a minor injury. The big problem for
today’s women’s game is that it is one-dimensional. Davenport and
Williams are perfect examples, with similar technique and identical
approach: “I will hit the ball harder and flatter than you.” Modern
equipment makes it possible, and has surely accelerated the demise of the
really skilful player.
What was needed was tension and excitement, a decent plot, and we had it.
Williams started like a drain, found her best form briefly when threatened
and fought a good fight in the clinches of the final set. Davenport started
well, faltered when she looked at the finishing line, hurt her back, fought
on and finally succumbed.
It was unfortunate for the occasion that the final followed the completed
men’s semi-final between Andy Roddick and Thomas Johansson, and that that
starter proved to be so fulfilling. Instead of the formal two o’clock
start, Williams and Davenport arrived shortly before three. The Royal Box
was less than full and remained so.
Although their games are similar, and they both hail from California,
the combatants could hardly be more different. Davenport is from a
comfortable background, but has had to fight her own battles on her way
to the top. When she started out in tennis, she was hardly the golden
girl. The horrid locker room called her the Dump Truck, but she worked
hard to become half an athlete.
Williams, of course, comes from the other side of the tracks, and was
taught the game as a means of transporting her family from poverty. She
has great strength of body and mind, and, as she proved once again,
fights her best when cornered.
In her last four Grand Slam finals, she was beaten by her younger sister,
Serena. She always found it hard to compete against Serena, and it was
noticeable that it was only when Serena was beaten by Jill Craybas in
straight sets in the third round of The Championships that Venus started
to find her better form.
Williams finished in a storm but her start was nervous and woeful. She
had out-hit and outrun defending champion Maria Sharapova in the semi-
finals but now she seemed to freeze. Perhaps she lacked motivation. There
was more than a hint of aggression against Sharapova, the blonde who
earns so much more than either of the Williams sisters thanks to her
marketability. But now her tough streak was absent, and so was her game.
Indeed, it took the smell of danger and a whiff of humiliation to energise
Williams. When she dropped her service in the second set to trail 6-5, it
looked as though the game was up. She had lost the final point of that
service game in disarray, falling over in mid-rally and desperately, but
forlornly, flailing at the ball to try to get it back.
Thus Davenport served for the match. And what a hash she made of it. On
the first point Williams took control and stormed the net, which she might
have done much more often, and put away the volley with ease. She won the
next three points as well to break Davenport’s service to love.
The last point was significant, for Davenport suddenly looked ungainly,
as if running on stilts, as she tried to reach a ball in her forehand
corner, and she managed to miss it by a distance.
Williams took the first three points of the tie-break as well, which made
seven in a row and six of them against serve since she fell over. From
being down and almost out, she had taken control and spent the tie-break
turning her grunt into a scream and creaming winners.
At least there was now some quality in the hitting, even if subtlety
remained notably absent. There was a contest, too, as both women slugged
it out for supremacy in the final set.
Davenport’s most obvious weakness is lack of speed around the court.
Usually her clean striking saves her the trouble of having to move too
sharply, but she was exposed more than once as Williams stepped up the pace.
That may also have been the first sign that her back was injured, for
she seemed unable to lunge at full stretch. Another dramatic twist was
provided as Davenport called for the trainer and disappeared for treatment
to a lower back strain.
Williams had been granted another reprieve. She had to fight again to
hold her serve when threatened again, and at last she had the benefit
— it was her turn to serve for the match.
Compared to Davenport’s attempt, it was a breeze. A backhand pass hit
like an arrow down the line gave her three match points. The first,
naturally, was squandered with a double fault, a reminder of the early
stages. No need to panic. Davenport obliged on the next one with a
forehand into the net. Williams deserved it because she made it happen
while Davenport had her chance and spurned it. It was a battle and she
had fought the harder.
But those who like to have a sense of wonder as they watch, and who
appreciate the subtleties of the game of tennis, angles, drop shots,
lobs and volleys — as well as pure power — will be better off, and
more satisfied, watching the men’s final today.
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