=================
THE CHAMPIONSHIPS (Wimbledon, England; grass; Grand Slam)
================= http://championships.wimbledon.org/
Contents
--------

1. Semi-final TV-report: Bartoli v Henin
2. Final-preview: Bartoli v V.Williams
3. Women's Doubles: Quarter-final result

----------------------------------------
1. Semi-final TV-report: Bartoli v Henin (Friday 6th July 2007)
----------------------------------------

+ MARION BARTOLI [18,DF,S] d. JUSTINE HENIN [1], 1-6 7-5 6-1

"The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone."
[Psalm 118:22]

Just over a year ago, I demoted Marion from my demi-fanship for being
boring. But this tremendous upset was certainly very exciting, so I
hereby reverse my decision! I am a demi-fan of Marion once more, even
though, as a Selesian, this makes the descriptor after her name
rather wide! ;-)

John McEnroe: "I like the way Bartoli plays a lot: she reminds me a
lot of Monica Seles. She takes the ball real early, hits two hands
off of both sides. She's stepping in as far as the Williams-sisters
when /they/ return serve! She's really looking to intimidate. She's
got great hands. But still, that has got to be ranked maybe #1 in
upsets of all upsets that she's in the final here."


My summary of the match
-----------------------

IMO, this is the third-biggest upset in Wimbledon-history, as Henin
was in the form of her life having won the French Open and Eastbourne
with a series of humiliating scorelines (including Marion at
Eastbourne), and her bid to win the only Grand-Slam title to have
eluded her looked unstoppable. Indeed, Henin had not lost before the
final of any Grand Slam she had played since the US Open 2005.

The #2 upset in Wimbledon-history was Monica's shock-defeat by
Katarína Studeníková in the second round of Wimbledon 1996, and the
#1 upset was Jelena Dokic's stunning 6-2 6-0 win over top seed
Martina Hingis in the first round of Wimbledon 1999!

Marion's tactics included frequent trips to the net. In the first
set, Henin paid Marion's toenails expert attention with a series of
dipping passes that forced her into error.

Henin was twice a break up in the second set (*1-0 and *4-3), but
some uncharacteristic unforced errors crept into her game, Marion
outmanoeuvred her with some great spreading rallies, and Marion
enjoyed much more success at the net.

In the third set, Henin seemed really flat. Marion at *2-0 came
through a marathon service-game of five deuces and two break-points,
and Henin's legendary ability to come back in matches did not save
her from Marion's 5-0* lead, as Marion held her nerve to serve out
the match to love at *5-1.


Marion's BBC interview from yesterday
-------------------------------------

"It's very important for me. I started to play good here a few years
ago, so reaching the semi-final is a big achievement for me.

"I need at least ten hours' sleep. Once, I slept 18 hours in a row, I
swear!

"My father told me: never, ever be a doctor, because it takes all
your time!

"I was inspired by Monica Seles in the French Open 1992 final. I
wasn't powerful enough to hit a one-handed forehand. Thank you to
Monica!"

[Re. her cocked wrist while serving]
"My wrist has to be very flexible, otherwise my serve is not quick
enough to have a high speed.

"I'm under tremendous pressure in the French Open, because I'm
French, and I was the last one in the draw. At Wimbledon I don't feel
as much pressure."


Interviews coming onto court
----------------------------

Henin: "It never changes. It's a Grand Slam semi-final, so there's a
lot of tension. It's another situation: we have to start again, so
I'll have to play my best to win."

Marion: "I'm feeling pretty good right now. I hope it will continue
like this, and I'll try to play my best today, and take my pleasure
to play on this court."

Sue Barker said Marion looked pretty nervous walking onto Centre
Court for the first time in her life, whereas for Henin it's a
familiar walk.


First set
---------
BARTO ___*___ 1
HENIN *@* *@* 6

The match was switched to Centre Court after the first men's quarter-
final on Court One went to five sets. The match started at 17:11 BST.

Henin serving 0-0: Marion forehand just wide. 15/0. Marion netted a
forehand return. 30/0. Ace out wide, on the sideline. 40/0. Henin
came to the net behind a sliced backhand, but it was just long.
40/15. Marion netted a forehand return.

Barry Davies is already talking about Henin like she's through to the
final. :-|| But he did praise Marion's "long, attractive hair".

Marion serving 0-1: Marion backhand wide. 0/15. Henin hit a clever
forehand winner down the line behind Marion - waited for her to cover
the crosscourt before she hit it. 0/30. Marion forehand long.
0/40 (3 BPs). Henin played a good spreading rally, culminating with a
forehand down the line + crosscourt forehand winner.

Tracy Austin: "The longer the point goes, the more advantage Henin
has. She's a much better athlete and mover than Bartoli."

Henin serving 2-0: Marion backhand winner down the line. 0/15.
Service-winner down the middle. 15/15. Henin hit a sliced backhand
into the bottom of the net, off a flat, low-bouncing return from
Marion. 15/30. Service-winner down the middle. 30/30. Marion netted a
forehand return. 40/30. Marion netted a backhand.

Tracy Austin: "Totally overmatched and overwhelmed so far. She uses
the same grip for both forehand and backhand: doesn't exchange hands,
and that restricts her reach."

Marion serving 0-3: Marion came to the net and hit a backhand drive-
volley winner. 15/0. Marion went for a backhand winner down the line
off a low, wide, crosscourt backhand pass from Henin, but it was
wide. 15/15. Henin forehand just wide. 30/15. Marion came to the net,
but netted a backhand volley off an awkward low, dipping pass from
Henin. 30/30. Marion played a good spreading rally: her crosscourt
backhand, just inside the sideline, forced Henin to hit a backhand
lob long. 40/30. Service-winner down the middle.

Henin serving 3-1: Henin ripped a crosscourt backhand winner behind
Marion. 15/0. Henin sliced backhand winner down the line, on the
sideline. 30/0. Marion forehand return-winner down the line - short
backswing, took it early, robbed Henin of time. 30/15. Marion
standing way in to receive, and Henin hit her second serve long for a
double fault! But Tracy Austin didn't appreciate Marion's receiving-
position - she just blamed the wind. 30/30. Marion forehand long.
40/30. Marion netted a forehand to provoke the first "allez" from
Henin.

Marion serving 1-4: Serve & volley: Marion crosscourt backhand volley-
winner. 15/0. Henin framed a backhand lob-return wide. 30/0. Marion
netted a backhand. 30/15. Marion backhand just long. She used up a
challenge to have Hawkeye show that it was long by just a few
millimetres. 30/30. Henin crosscourt backhand winner. 30/40 (BP).
Henin crosscourt forehand winner just inside the sideline + "allez".

Henin serving 5-1: Henin hit a low-bouncing backhand winner down the
line. 15/0. Serve + off-forehand winner. 30/0. Service-winner. 40/0
(3 SPs). Marion forehand return just wide.
Henin won the first set 6-1 at 17:33 (22m).

Tracy Austin: "She's going to have to play the match of her life, at
high-risk level, to try to even bother Henin."


Second set
----------
BARTO _@*@___@* *@ 7
HENIN @___@*@__*__ 5

Marion serving 0-0 (new balls): Marion netted a backhand on the third
stroke. 0/15. Marion came to the net and hit a high backhand volley-
winner off a volley from Henin! 15/15. Marion backhand just wide.
15/30. Henin netted a running crosscourt forehand. 30/30. Henin
crosscourt forehand winner just inside the sideline. 30/40. Marion
came to the net, but Henin ripped a backhand pass-winner down the
line, and said "allez".

Tracy Austin said that Marion's unorthodoxy also extends to her
training-sessions: when she's on the treadmill, she sets the slope
extremely high.

Marion may not look very fit, but she does train extremely hard: 4 or
5 hours a day. Her father advised her to bulk up so that she gets
more weight behind her shots.

Henin serving 1-0: Henin netted an unforced backhand after a long
rally. 0/15. Henin spread Marion with a crosscourt backhand +
crosscourt forehand volley-winner. 15/15. Marion showed good footwork
to hit a crosscourt forehand that induced Henin to net a forehand.
15/30. Henin snatched at a forehand, hitting it into the net.
15/40 (2 BPs). Marion netted a defensive forehand lob. 30/40. Henin
crosscourt forehand volley-winner. 40/40. A fabulous rally with them
both at the net, exchanging several volleys, ended with Marion
hitting a crosscourt forehand volley-winner!! Even the umpire's voice
raised in pitch when she pronounced Marion's surname in announcing
the next score: Advantage Miss Bartoli (BP #3). Henin forehand long -
Marion breaks back!

Marion serving 1-1: Henin netted a backhand volley. 15/0. Henin
backhand wide. 30/0. Marion netted a one-handed forehand volley.
30/15. Marion crosscourt forehand virtual winner. 40/15. Henin netted
a forehand.

Henin serving 1-2: Henin netted a forehand return - leaning back on
her heels. 0/15. Another deep shot from Marion pushed Henin back on
her heels; Marion off-backhand winner down the line. 0/30. Henin
played a good spreading rally at the net, finishing with a high
forehand volley-winner. 15/30. Marion off-backhand winner just inside
the sideline. 15/40 (2 BPs). Marion netted a cheap forehand return.
30/40. And again. 40/40. Ace out wide, on the sideline + "allez".
Ad Henin. She netted a forehand. Deuce #2. Henin sprayed a forehand
wide. Ad Marion (BP #3). Henin sprayed a crosscourt forehand wide.

Two breaks in a row, and Henin is making some uncharacteristic
unforced errors now! Tracy Austin suggested that she "took her foot
off the accelerator" because she's playing an opponent ranked #17 in
the semi-finals of a Grand Slam, and won the first set so easily.

Marion serving 3-1: Service-winner: forehand return long. 15/0. And
again! 30/0. A good rally ended with Henin hitting a rather impudent
forehand dropshot-winner from behind the baseline. 40/0. Marion hit a
blistering crosscourt backhand winner. 40/15. Marion came to the net
behind a woefully short approach, giving Henin an easy backhand pass-
winner down the line. 40/30. Marion backhand long. 40/40. Henin
exposed Marion's lack of mobility with a slow forehand winner down
the line. Ad Henin (BP). Marion moved the wrong way just as Henin hit
another forehand winner down the line to break back.

Henin serving 2-3: Marion hit an amazing crosscourt forehand drive-
volley winner from no-man's-land!! 0/15. Service-winner + "allez".
15/15. Marion stretched netted a backhand off a short ball from
Henin. 30/15. Henin netted a backhand. 30/30. Henin crosscourt
backhand volley-winner with them both at the net (Henin's dropshot).
40/30. Henin crosscourt backhand winner + "allez".

Marion serving 3-3: Henin netted a backhand. 15/0. Henin hit a
leaping high forehand volley-winner. 15/15. Henin drew Marion to the
net with a dropshot, and hit a lob which made Marion run back and hit
an uncontrollable backhand wide. 15/30. With Henin at the net, Marion
hit a backhand lob just wide, and used up a challenge "more in hope
than expectation" [Barry Davies]. 15/40 (2 BPs). Henin crosscourt
backhand winner behind Marion + "allez".

Henin serving 4-3: Marion netted a backhand. 15/0. Henin netted a
forehand. 15/15. Henin blasted a wild forehand wide. 15/30. Marion
backhand wide. 30/30. Henin sprayed another wild forehand wide.
30/40 (BP). Marion tapped a sharp crosscourt forehand winner just
inside the sideline, and shouted "c'mon!"

Tracy Austin: "Excellent game by Bartoli: absorbing the pace, staying
down low with her knees. Monica Seles used to get down that low."

Marion serving 4-4: Henin netted a forehand. 15/0. Henin netted a
forehand after a good spreading rally from Marion. Barry Davies:
"Look who's doing all the running!" 30/0. Serve out wide + crosscourt
backhand winner. 40/0. Henin forehand return-winner just inside the
baseline to Marion's right. 40/15. Henin netted a forehand.

Henin serving 4-5: Marion came to the net on a poor dropshot from
Henin, forcing Henin to net a backhand. 0/15. Marion, now grunting
loudlier, hit a pinpoint backhand winner down the line, just inside
the sideline! 0/30. Henin forced a short ball from Marion, and
dispatched it with a forehand winner down the line. 15/30. Service-
winner down the middle + "allez!" 30/30. Henin dominated the rally
and came to the net, forcing Marion to hit a forehand lob wide.
40/30. Henin forehand return just long. Tracy Austin: "Bartoli really
pressuring Henin on return of serve. Very intense." 40/40. Henin hit
a superbly controlled angled crosscourt forehand winner onto the
sideline, and shouted "allez!" Ad Henin. She hit an off-forehand
winner.

Marion serving 5-5: Double fault #1 (second serve into the net).
0/15. A long rally ended with Henin hitting a forehand winner down
the line and screaming "allez!" 0/30. Service-winner out wide. 15/30.
Henin crosscourt forehand winner onto the baseline. 15/40 (2 BPs).
Marion blasted a huge crosscourt backhand, forcing Henin at full
stretch to hit a backhand lob wide. 30/40. Henin backhand long.
40/40. Service-winner. Ad Marion. Her backhand down the line on the
third stroke barely bounced at all, forcing Henin to earth a forehand.

Henin serving 5-6: Henin netted a forehand. 0/15. Henin sprayed a
wild backhand very wide. 0/30. Double fault (second serve just long).
0/40 (3 SPs). Marion hit an off-backhand volley-winner, and screamed
in celebration! Marion won the second set 7-5 at 18:30 (57m).


Third set
---------
BARTO *@*@* * 6
HENIN _____*_ 1

Marion serving 0-0: Henin forehand long. 15/0. Second serve at 81mph:
Henin forehand return-winner to Marion's right. 15/15. Marion netted
a forehand return. 15/30. Marion came to the net, but a testing
forehand pass down the line forced her to net a backhand volley.
15/40 (2 BPs). Henin came to the net, but Marion hit a nice backhand
pass-winner down the line. 30/40. Henin netted a backhand. 40/40.
Marion gave Henin the run around, and though she seemed to recover,
Henin hit a forehand long. Ad Marion. Henin backhand return just long.

Tracy Austin: "This truly would be a complete shocker. She is playing
out of her mind. I've seen her play many times before, but never at
this level. She is in the zone."

Henin serving 0-1: Marion played a great spreading rally... until she
netted a forehand. 15/0. Service-winner. 30/0. Marion's forehand
return down the line hit the sideline with a puff of titanium pigment
for a winner! 30/15. Henin netted a forehand. 30/30. Marion played a
great rally at the net, finishing with a two-handed backhand volley-
winner! 30/40 (BP). Marion broke with a screaming backhand winner
down the line! She yelled and pumped her fist.

Four games in a row to Marion! I'm getting very excited!

Marion serving 2-0: Serve + crosscourt backhand netcord winner. 15/0.
Henin hit a short-angled crosscourt forehand winner. 15/15. Henin
came to the net, but Marion hit a backhand pass-winner down the line!
30/15. Marion came to the net, hit a crosscourt two-handed forehand
volley-winner, and squealed with delight! 40/15. Henin came to the
net and hit a forehand smash-winner. 40/30. Marion hit a crosscourt
backhand winner onto the sideline, but it was just wide (Marion used
up a challenge). 40/40. Henin sprayed a forehand wide. Ad Marion. She
sprayed a backhand wide, off a low ball from Henin. Deuce #2. A great
rally with sliced backhands from Henin ended with Marion at the net,
hitting a low backhand volley just long. Ad Henin (BP). She netted a
backhand. Deuce #3. A deep approach from Henin induced Marion to
blast a backhand into the net with little control. Ad Henin (BP #2).
A fantastic rally ended with Henin netting a backhand dropshot off
one from Marion. Deuce #4. Ad Marion. She sprayed a backhand wide.
Deuce #5. Serve + crosscourt backhand virtual winner into the corner.
Ad Marion. Henin sprayed a forehand wide.

Henin serving 0-3: Henin netted a tame forehand. 0/15. Henin hit a
forehand dropshot-winner into the wind: it landed very short. 15/15.
Henin forehand just long. 15/30. Henin dominated the rally but netted
a forehand, and Barry Davies accused her of rushing. 15/40 (2 BPs).
Henin backhand just wide.

Marion serving 4-0: Henin backhand lob long. 15/0. Marion wrong-
footed Henin and hit a backhand dropshot-winner. Barry Davies: "What
confidence, what impudence, what charm!" 30/0. Serve out wide + off-
forehand winner. 40/0. A weak backhand lob from Marion gave Henin an
easy backhand smash-winner. 40/15. Henin hit a pinpoint crosscourt
backhand winner onto the sideline. 40/30. Henin backhand wide.

Barry Davies: "Either way, the Centre Court will see a sensation:
either the upset of the championship, or one of the greatest
comebacks of all time."

Seven games in a row to Marion!!!

Henin serving 0-5: Marion netted a down-the-line backhand. 15/0.
Marion hit an amazing crosscourt backhand drive-volley winner. 15/15.
Henin forehand dropshot virtual winner. 30/15. Marion netted a
forehand. Is she about to choke? 40/15. Marion netted a tame forehand
return.

Marion serving 5-1: Marion off-forehand winner behind Henin. She
pumped her fist. 15/0. Henin sprayed a backhand wide off a deep ball
just inside the baseline from Marion. 30/0. First serve out wide:
Henin forehand return wide. 40/0 (3 MPs). Henin forehand return just
long. Marion won 1-6 7-5 6-1 at 19:06!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(third set 36m, match 1h55m).

Barry Davies: "She came here anonymous. She walks off the court
famous."


Marion's BBC interview
----------------------

"I didn't start well. I lost the first set easily - so stressful. But
then I saw in the crowd Pierce Brosnan - one of my favourite actors -
and I thought it was maybe good to play a little bit tennis, and to
see him how I was playing. So I tried to play a little better...
<inaudible: "in the final hour"? "after finding out"?>

"It was very hard, very windy; my game wasn't on at all. So I tried
to just focus on the ball, and forget where I was playing and whom I
was playing.

"I'm so excited to be in the final - it's like a dream come true. If
you had told me beforehand, I wouldn't trust you.

"I hope so [that Pierce Brosnan will attend the final]. He gave me
some legs, so maybe Pierce, if you can come back tomorrow, I can be
gooder!"


John Inverdale: "Maybe Pierce Brosnan could make a tennis-movie: You
Only Serve Twice!"


Henin's BBC interview
---------------------

According to John Inverdale, Henin was in floods of tears after the
match, and she seemed really dejected in her interview, though she
was gracious in defeat:

"Yeah, it's still pretty early to really understand what happened in
the match. I had control in the first set, and then the match
completely turned. It's pretty difficult to accept now, but that's
the way it happened.

"She played an unbelievable tennis; she played a very, very good
match. I didn't keep up the pressure on her enough in the second set,
didn't take my chances. In the third, she moved me a lot, I wasn't
fresh enough, and she took the opportunities much more than me, so
she really deserved to win that match."


Articles
--------

BARTOLI STUNS HENIN TO MAKE FINAL [CEEFAX 490->491]
>>>
Bartoli stuns Henin to make final [CEEFAX 491]

Marion Bartoli caused one of the biggest shocks in Wimbledon history
as she defeated world number one Justine Henin in the semi-finals.

The world number 19 will face Venus Williams in Saturday's final
after a sensational 1-6 7-5 6-1 win.

Henin raced through the first set in 22 minutes, but the big-hitting
Bartoli got the better of a second set featuring seven breaks of
serve.

And the Frenchwoman hit stunning form in the third as Henin crumbled.
<<<

Bond actor inspires Bartoli win [CEEFAX 490->491]
>>>
Marion Bartoli said seeing former James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan in
the crowd had inspired her to a stunning semi-final win over Justine
Henin.

"I can't believe it. I'm so excited," the 22-year-old told BBC Sport
after her 1-6 7-5 6-1 win.

"I didn't start well. It was so stressful being on Centre Court for
the first time.

"But then I saw Pierce Brosnan in the crowd, and he's one of my
favourite actors so I tried to play better."


Henin bewildered by shock defeat [CEEFAX 491]

Justine Henin struggled to explain her defeat by Marion Bartoli in
the Wimbledon semi-finals.

"I still don't understand what happened," she said after losing
6-1 5-7 1-6 to the world number 19.

"I played a good first set, then had a couple of chances in the
second, and the match turned. It's pretty hard to take.

"I lost a lot of energy recently, winning the French Open, and then
my quarter-final against Serena was tiring emotionally. I wasn't at
my best."
<<<

BARTOLI STUNS HENIN IN SEMI TRIUMPH [Teletext 495->496]
>>>
Bartoli in stunning win [Teletext 496]

Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli played the match of her life to beat top
seed Justine Henin and reach the final.

The 22-year-old 18th seed, who has never previously gone beyond the
fourth round of a Grand Slam, began nervously as Henin seemed in
complete control.

But she grew in confidence during a topsy-turvy second set, then
powered through the decider to win 1-6 7-5 6-1 and set up a final
with Venus Williams.


Bond the key for Bartoli [Teletext 496]

James Bond came to the rescue of Marion Bartoli as she caused one of
the great shocks in Wimbledon history by beating Justine Henin to
reach the final.

The Frenchwoman will play Venus Williams, with the victor guaranteed
to be the lowest-ranked winner.

Bartoli said: "I saw Pierce Brosnan, one of my favourite actors, so I
tried to play better. I tried to forget against whom I was playing."
<<<

Henin shocked by Bartoli in semi-final
By Pritha Sarkar (Reuters)
>>>
A little-known Frenchwoman destroyed world number one Justine Henin's
Wimbledon-dream on Friday.

Marion Bartoli produced the tennis of her life to humble a shell-
shocked Henin 1-6 7-5 6-1 and march into her first Grand-Slam final
against Venus Williams.

As Bartoli sealed the Belgian's fate and lapped up the applause from
13,000 cheering fans, a forlorn Henin had to cope with her earliest
exit from a Grand Slam since 2005.

The result was the biggest upset in the sport since Jelena Dokic
defeated then world number one Martina Hingis in the first round at
Wimbledon in 1999.

When Henin arrived at the All England Club, her run to the final had
almost been a foregone conclusion, with the real race being to see
who would face her in the showpiece-match on Saturday.

But a player who had won only four matches at Wimbledon before this
year dashed Henin's hopes of winning the only Grand-Slam trophy
missing from her collection.
<<<

Bartoli fightback stuns Henin, impresses 007
By Martyn Herman (Reuters)
>>>
Marion Bartoli stunned top seed Justine Henin to reach the Wimbledon-
final on Friday, beating the world number one 1-6 7-5 6-1.

The 22-year-old Frenchwoman, seeded 18th, produced an action-packed
display after a torrid first set to book a Saturday showdown with
three-times former champion Venus Williams.

"I'm so excited to be in the final, it's a dream come true," Bartoli
said after completing the biggest victory of her career in front of a
her favourite actor, former 007 Pierce Brosnan.

"It was my first match on Centre Court and I was stressed. I saw him
in the crowd and I thought it's not possible to play so bad in front
of him.

"I was focusing on him because he is so beautiful. I saw him cheering
and kept going and I won."

Henin, chasing the only Grand-Slam title to elude her, looked
unstoppable during a 22-minute first set, swishing away baseline-
winners at will, but was left dazed later as an inspired Bartoli went
on a seven-game hot streak.

"I still don't really know what did happen. I don't understand what
happened," a glum-looking Henin said.

"Today it was like she could close her eyes and play unbelievable
tennis."

The unorthodox Bartoli, whose previous best run at a Grand Slam was
the fourth round at this year's French Open, suddenly relaxed and
began striking the ball with real confidence.

She broke for a 3-1 lead, only for Henin to quickly snuff out the
danger. Henin then seemed set to regain control when a rolled
backhand gave her another break to lead 4-3.

Bartoli responded in the next game with a pummelled backhand winner
to make it 4-4. Henin squandered two break-points at 5-5, and was
made to pay when she lost her serve to love, Bartoli thrashing away a
volley to level the match.

Fired up and clearly revelling in the atmosphere, Bartoli's tennis
reached near perfection for the next five games as she pulled Henin
all over the court.

Banging double-fisted drives off both sides into the corners,
crafting clever angles and delicate drop shots, she gave Henin the
run around to lead 5-0.

Henin managed to stop the rot by holding serve, but Bartoli showed no
nerves to close out the match on her first match-point when a shell-
shocked Henin hit long.
<<<

Henin toppled
By Phil Casey, Special to PA SportsTicker
>>>
"I still don't really realise what did happen," Henin said. "I played
a very good first set, then I had a couple of chances at the end of
the second set. Didn't take these chances and the match completely
turned over."

Recovering from a set and a break down, Bartoli extended Henin's
elusive search for a title at the All England Club, and ended her bid
for a career Grand Slam.

"I'm not quite sure it's a question of pressure about winning here,"
Henin said. "You know, I lost a lot of energy in the last few weeks.
My match against Serena [Williams] also has been very tough mentally,
emotionally. It was hard for me to be at my best today.

"I'll have other chances in the future. I don't make it an obsession.
I'm disappointed because I lost a Grand-Slam semi-final. It's been
normal to have these feelings now."

Few had given the Frenchwoman any chance of victory, and a routine
win looked in the cards for Henin when she raced through the first
set in 22 minutes with the loss of just one game.

But Bartoli, who had won just four matches in four previous visits to
Wimbledon, staged an amazing comeback to add to her unlikely win over
No. 3 Jelena Jankovic in the fourth round on Tuesday.

"Well, you know, for the moment, I don't realise really what I'm
doing right now in this tournament," Bartoli said. "If you think [I
would] beat the No. 1 in the world, [on] Centre Court, then [reach]
the final of a Grand Slam, especially Wimbledon, I couldn't believe
you."

Henin had quickly taken command of the match, breaking Bartoli to
love in the second game of a match switched from Court One to Centre
Court due to the five-hour epic between Novak Ðokovic and Marcos
Baghdatis.

Bartoli, the most unlikely semi-finalist since Croatian Mirjana Lucic
and American qualifier Alexandra Stevenson reached the last four in
1999, got on the board by holding serve in the fourth game, but Henin
was simply a class apart.

A second break of serve was created with the aid of a trademark
backhand winner, and Henin served out to take the set 6-1 in just 22
minutes.

"The first set I was quite nervous," the Frenchwoman
said. "Especially [since] the wind disturb my game. I was not feeling
the ball good at all. I was not hitting in the good rhythm. So I
tried to just forget against whom I was playing and where I was
playing, and just try to play my game the best as possible, just try
to forget this first set."

Henin had won both previous meetings between the pair, including a
6-1 6-3 victory in the semi-finals at Eastbourne last month.

A similar scoreline always looked the most likely outcome, especially
when Henin broke serve again in the opening game of the second set.

To Bartoli's credit she broke straight back, creating a third break-
point with the rally of the match as the players traded reaction-
volleys from close quarters at the net.

Henin was so impressed she sportingly applauded her opponent, but her
mood quickly changed as she dropped her serve again in the fourth
game to fall 3-1 behind.

Just as Roger Federer had responded to losing his first set of the
championships to Juan Carlos Ferrero in the men's quarter-finals on
Friday, Henin suddenly raised her game several notches, winning the
next three games in a row by breaking Bartoli twice.

That looked like being the decisive moment, but Bartoli had clearly
not read the script.

The 22-year-old broke back immediately, and once more to love in the
12th game to snatch the set 7-5 and give herself a chance of creating
a massive upset.

"I got to the end of the second set and I was playing very good,"
Bartoli said. "I [also] started very good in the third set."

Bartoli was producing some inspired tennis in the late-evening
sunshine, saving two break-points at the start of the decider, and
firing a brilliant backhand winner down the line to break for a 2-0
lead.

Ranked 19th in the world, Bartoli then saved two more break-points to
make it 3-0 and then, barely believably, won the next two games as
well as Henin could find no answer to her probing groundstrokes.

"I didn't feel fresh enough in the third set to compete with her,"
Henin said. "She played very good tennis. So, yeah, it's pretty hard
right now, but [I am] going to be better in a few days."

Henin held serve to finally get on the scoreboard and at least test
Bartoli's nerves as she tried to serve for the match.
<<<

The name's Bartoli, Marion Bartoli...
By Phil Casey, Special to PA SportsTicker
>>>
Marion Bartoli admitted it was a dream come true after causing one of
the greatest upsets in Wimbledon history by beating top seed Justine
Henin in the semi-finals on Friday.

Bartoli, 22, recovered from a set and a break down to stun Henin on
Centre Court, ending the world No. 1's bid for a career Grand Slam.

Few had given the 18th seed any chance of victory, and a routine win
looked in the cards when Henin raced through the first set in just 22
minutes.

But Bartoli, who had won just four matches in four previous visits to
the All England Club, staged an amazing comeback to record a 1-6 7-5
6-1 victory to set up a match-up with three-time champion Venus
Williams in Saturday's final.

Bartoli then bizarrely credited her victory to seeing former James
Bond actor Pierce Brosnan in the Royal Box.

"It was very hard, my game was not on at all in the first set,"
Bartoli said. "Then I saw Pierce Brosnan, he is one of my favourite
actors, so I thought it would be good to play a bit of tennis.

"I said to myself, it's not possible I play so bad in front of him.
I saw he was cheering for me. I was focusing on him because he is so
beautiful. I tried to play a little better, and here I am!

Despite being awestruck, Bartoli was able to regain her focus and
accomplish something she would not have thought possible.

"I tried to focus on the ball and forget whom I was playing and where
I was playing," she said. "I'm so excited to be in the final - it's
like a dream come true. If you told me that before the tournament, I
would not have trusted you."

Nor would most other sane people, but reaching the semi-finals of
grasscourt tournaments in Birmingham and Eastbourne - where she
ironically lost 6-1 6-3 to Henin - gave some indication of her
abilities.

"For the moment, I don't realise really what I'm doing right now in
this tournament," admitted the Frenchwoman, who was watched by her
coach and father, Dr. Walter Bartoli.

"Last week, when I saw the draw, I was worried about my first-round
match against Flavia Pennetta, and now I'm in the final! If you think
about beating the No. 1 in the world, [on] Centre Court, almost full,
then [reach] the final of a Grand Slam, especially Wimbledon; if you
had told me that before, I wouldn't have believed you."

Bartoli was not the only one to think the result was unbelievable.

"I still don't really realise what happened," Henin said. "I played a
very good first set, then I had a couple of chances at the end of the
second set, didn't take these chances, and the match completely
turned over.

"She's playing an unbelievable tournament. She was confident.
She was never scared of winning the match or anything. She took the
opportunities."

Despite reaching the semi-finals five times at the All England Club,
Henin once again left empty-handed, remaining one title shy of the
career Grand Slam.

"I'm not quite sure it's a question of pressure about winning here,"
the Belgian said. "I lost a lot of energy in the last few weeks.
I played a lot. My match against Serena [Williams] was also very
tough mentally, emotionally.

"It was hard for me to be at my best today. It's the kind of thing
that can happen - but I'll have other chances in the future."
<<<

Gasquet and Bartoli show French flair at its best
By Rex Gowar (Reuters)
>>>
The French, set to thrill England with their renowned Tour de France
cycling-race this weekend, stormed London a day early with upset-
victories in the men's and women's singles on the Wimbledon tennis-
courts on Friday.

Richard Gasquet, hailed as a prodigy in his home country at 16, upset
Andy Roddick 4-6 4-6 7-6 7-6 8-6 to reach the semi-finals of a Grand-
Slam tournament for the first time at 21.

Even more remarkable was Marion Bartoli's 1-6 7-5 6-1 victory over
world number one Justine Henin to reach the women's final against
Venus Williams on Saturday.

"Of course, I'm really happy for her. For us that's incredible," said
Gasquet, who was two sets down when he began to play sublime tennis,
wielding a backhand that had been hailed since he was a six-year-old
as if it were a magic wand.

Bartoli, seeded 18, said she was inspired by the presence of
favourite actor Pierce Brosnan in the Centre-Court crowd, but that
her success as a player was down to hard work as a young teen in
unorthodox circustances encouraged by her doctor father.

"The indoor courts we had were multi-surface courts: for volleyball,
basketball, tennis. They have multi-lines all over, and my dad used
to set me targets: if I hit the targets, I got candy," the 22-year-
old said.

"On this court, the wall was one metre behind the baseline. If I
stayed on the baseline, my racket touched the wall behind me, so I
had to stay inside the baseline and take the ball as early as
possible and hit the target."

Bartoli will be hoping she can reproduce her performance in the final
against three-times champion Williams.
<<<

Venus Williams reaches 6th Wimbledon final, where she'll face Bartoli
By Howard Fendrich, AP Tennis Writer
>>>
In her sixth Wimbledon final, the 27-year-old American will find a
surprising opponent on the other side of the net on Saturday: Marion
Bartoli of France, who came back from a set and a break down to stun
No. 1 Justine Henin 1-6 7-5 6-1.

Before this year, the lowest-ranked female finalist at the grass-
court Grand Slam was Williams, who was at No. 16 when she won the
2005 championship.

This time, it's No. 31 Williams vs. No. 19 Bartoli.

"I have nothing to lose tomorrow," said Bartoli, who played 21 majors
without ever making it past the third round until reaching the fourth
at the French Open last month. "Venus has been the champion here
already. I will try to figure out the way to play against her."

If Williams can credit her three consecutive lopsided wins over women
ranked No. 2, No. 5 and No. 6 to an edge in experience and a game
built for grass, Bartoli had a more unique reason for her success
against Henin: Bond, James Bond.

Yes, that's right. While falling way behind against six-time Grand
Slam title winner Henin, the Frenchwoman noticed actor Pierce Brosnan
sitting in the stands.

"I said to myself, 'It's not possible I play so bad in front of
him,"' Bartoli said, earnest as can be. "I saw he was cheering for
me, so I said, 'Oh, maybe it's good.' I kept going and I won, maybe a
little bit for Pierce Brosnan."

She began to turn things around after getting broken to trail 4-3 in
the second set. Hitting two-fisted forehands and backhands,
reminiscent of Monica Seles, Bartoli somehow started to put every
ball her racket touched in the right spot.

After failing to muster a single break-point in the first set, she
compiled 10 and converted six the rest of the way. After managing all
of six winners in the first set, she conjured up 21 the rest of the
way. After venturing to the net four times in the first set, she
moved forward 21 times and won 14 of those points the rest of the way.

Bartoli mixed in all sorts of spins and angles, yanking Henin from
corner to corner, forward and back - the type of frustrating stuff
the Belgian normally does.

"It was like she could close her eyes and play unbelievable tennis,"
said Henin, who was hoping to complete a career Grand Slam. "She did
everything perfectly."
<<<

Bartoli rips up the script to reach Wimbledon final
By Martyn Herman (Reuters)
>>>
Marion Bartoli was in dreamland at Wimbledon on Friday after
producing the performance of her life to beat world number one
Justine Henin in the semi-final.

The 22-year-old French number three looked out of her depth initially
on her first Centre Court appearance, but inspired by former 007
actor Pierce Brosnan, she stormed back for an unbelievable
1-6 7-5 6-1 victory.

"I saw him in the crowd and thought it's not possible to play so bad
in front of him," she said. "So maybe this was a bit for Pierce
Brosnan.

"If you think I beat the world number one, Centre Court, almost full,
then I'm in the final of a Grand Slam, especially Wimbledon - if you
tell me that before, I wouldn't believe you."

"But I believe in myself, and on a good day I can beat anybody, and I
proved it today," she added.

The daughter of a doctor who is also her coach, Bartoli is not a
conventional tennis-player.

She does not have the flowing strokes of compatriot Amélie Mauresmo,
last year's champion; instead, she punches the ball with double-
handed backhand and forehand.

She is not very tall either, and her service-action would not be
found in many coaching manuals.

But her flat groundstrokes are extremely effective.

She reached the semi-finals at both the Edgbaston and Eastbourne
grasscourt-tournaments in the run-up to Wimbledon, and dispatched
third seed Jelena Jankovic in the fourth round here.

"LOVE CANDY"

The world number 19, whose previous best Grand-Slam run was the
fourth round at this year's French Open, said her victory was reward
for her father Walter.

"He's a very good doctor, a very good coach, a very good father,"
said Bartoli, who now lives in Switzerland.

"When I was young, we didn't have any indoor courts. We used to
practise on a multi-surface court: it had volleyball and basketball
lines all over the place.

"My dad used to put targets out. If I touched the targets, I would
get some candy. So I was very motivated. That's why I still love
candy."

Explaining her technique, she said the indoor court she used to play
on had a brick wall right behind the baseline, meaning she had to
adapt her strokes.

"The wall was one metre behind the baseline, so I had to take it as
early as possible; I played thousands of shots like that. I learnt my
game on this court."

If she can beat three-times former champion Venus Williams on
Saturday it would be stretching the credibility of even the most
outrageous James Bond scripts.

However, she intends to live another day.

"I've never played Venus, but I've beaten the world number one, so
I've got a lot of confidence," she said. "Even if I lose the first
set, I won't go out. I will try my best to win this match."
<<<

--------------------------------------
2. Final-preview: Bartoli v V.Williams
--------------------------------------

* MARION BARTOLI [18,DF,S] v VENUS WILLIAMS [23]

Marion has never played Venus Williams before, but should start as
favourite, as she is ranked #19 to Williams's #31.

Prior to Wimbledon, Williams was having a pretty mediocre year by her
own stellar standards: she won Tier III Memphis beating Shahar Pe'er
6-1 6-1 in the final, but has since lost to Maria Sharapova, Tatiana
Golovin, Jelena Jankovic (twice) and Svetlana Kuznetsova.

These days, Williams is apt to make a lot of unforced errors, and she
looked very vulnerable prior to the fourth round, struggling past
Alla Kudryavtseva 2-6 6-3 7-5 and Akiko Morigami 6-2 3-6 7-5 - both
on Court 2. Akiko - another Selesian - actually served for the match
against Williams at *5-3 in the third!

But once she was back on her beloved Centre Court, Williams rose to
the occasion to beat Maria Sharapova 6-1 6-3, Svetlana Kuznetsova
6-3 6-4, and Ana Ivanovic 6-2 6-4 to reach the final.

I believe that Marion can win Wimbledon by beating Venus Williams if
she serves well, with plenty of body-jamming serves, keeps a good
length on her groundstrokes, doesn't get pushed back behind the
baseline, is aggressive on second-serve returns, is prepared to deal
with Williams's net-rushing tactics with a ton of passing-shots and
awkward lobs over Williams's left shoulder, and indeed takes the net
away from Williams as she did so effectively against Henin. The signs
against Henin were good, but Williams hits the ball much harder than
Henin does, so we'll have to wait and see just how well Marion's game
will match up against Williams.


Normally in an interview when the player's next opponent is not yet
decided, they are asked to say something about both potential
opponents. So the questions about the final in Williams's press-
conference are quite amusing in retrospect:
* If this had been the case earlier, to play Justine, maybe vengeance
would have been a theme, she having beaten Serena.
* Will you talk to Serena about playing Justine?
* Why do you think you have such a good record against Justine?

Williams at least had the decency to say "if she's in the final" in
her response to the third question!

----------------------------------------
3. Women's Doubles: Quarter-final result (Friday 6th July 2007)
----------------------------------------

- (Peng,Shuai [S]/Yan,Zi [S]) lt. (ALICIA MOLIK/MARA SANTANGELO)[6],
4-6 1-6

--
Dr. Andrew Broad
http://geocities.com/andrewbroad/
http://geocities.com/andrewbroad/tennis/
http://geocities.com/andrewbroad/tennis/seles/selesians.html