Lindsey News
Lindsey News
DAVENPORT CLAIMS HER SECOND CAREER GRAND SLAM SINGLES TITLE
Lindsay Davenport made herself a believer on Sunday by winning Wimbledon, a event
she once wondered if she could ever conquer. In a dominating effort, Davenport
defeted seven-time champion Steffi Graf 6-4, 7-5 Sunday and now has added a
Wimbledon singles title to go with her U.S. Open title from last year. Afterwards Graf
made it known that 1999 was her last Wimbledon.
``It was almost like a dream,'' Davenport said after her straight sets victory, which was
delayed briefly by rain in the second set.
``When I won I was almost more numb than in shock,'' she said. ``I never thought that it
would be my Wimbledon because I had struggled on this surface before.'' Davenport
defeated an opponent who has won Wimbledon seven times and was coming off
a sixth French Open championship. As it turned out, this was Graf's Wimbledon swan
song. ``Basically, I won't be back,'' she said.
``I won't be here as a player again.''
The former No. 1, who turned 30 years old on June 14th, has battled a series of injuries
over the last three years and would not say if Wimbledon was her last tournament
altogether. ``I will not comment on anything other than that,'' she said. ``I have not had
enough time to think about those things.''
This was Davenport's first appearance in a
Wimbledon final and came a day after she regained the No. 1 ranking from Martina
Hingis.
The 23-year-old Californian had proceeded almost unnoticed through the draw at
Wimbledon. Against Graf, Davenport played arguably her best match of the fortnight
showing the versatility in her game. Holding the Champion’s plate Davenport said: ``It's
the most beautiful trophy I have ever seen. I have only seen it on TV before. I wish I
could take it away with me.'' Prior to this year Davenport had never advanced past
the quarterfinals of Wimbledon. She is now 2-0 in Grand Slam finals after defeating
Hingis in the finals of the U.S. Open last September.
``The victory at the U.S. Open was incredible because it was my first,'' she said.
``People who had said I couldn't win the big one, I felt so much pride to tell them they
were wrong,'' Davenport said. ``Now I can't believe I overcame myself on grass to win at
Wimbledon. Now I have won the two biggest tournaments there are in the world and few
players can say that.'' Davenport's day got even better after her victory over Graf as she
teamed with Corina Morariu to win the doubles title, downing Mariaan De Swardt
and Elena Tatarkova 6-4, 6-4. In total Davenport left Wimbledon with $789,416 in
winnings - $655,200 for singles and $134,216 for doubles. Graf's collected
$327,600 for finals appearance.
By defeating Jana Novotna in the quarterfinals and then reaching the final,
Davenport secured enough points to regain
the No. 1 ranking she last held in February
before losing it to Martina Hingis. ``I'll take
the Wimbledon championship any day over
the No. 1 ranking,'' she said. When Graf
netted a forehand return on the second
match point, Davenport let out a scream of
delight as a look of shock came over her
face. Davenport fought away tears as she sat
in her chair awaiting the trophy ceremony.
Entering the Sunday’s final Graf had lost a
Wimbledon final only once before, 12 years
ago when at the age of 18 she was defeated
by Martina Navratilova. ``I served well that
was the main thing,'' Davenport said. ``I only
had two break points it's pretty amazing to
convert on both and not let her break me. I
played concentrated and calm and I can't
believe I did it.'' Choosing to receive first,
Davenport broke Graf in a long opening
game that had three deuces. She then
fought off a break point in the next game to
take a quick 2-0 lead. Graf then held to love
and then Davenport did the same to go 3-1
ahead. The set went with serve after that
with Davenport taking the first set on the
strength of that one break.
Serving for the set at 5-4, Davenport hit a
forehand winner for two set points. Graf
saved the first with a forehand winner but
missed a backhand on the next to drop the
set in 33 minutes. For the second straight
day Graf had the top of her left thigh
strapped. Her mobility didn't seem
hampered but there was little she could do
against Davenport's serve.
Davenport gave Graf a chance when she hit
forehand into the net to give the German
a break point at 0-1 in the second set. But
Davenport atoned with two forehand winners
and an ace to hold. Graf led 5-4 in the
second set, with Davenport serving at 30-15,
when rain stopped play. After the delay,
Davenport held for 5-5 and then executed
her second break point to take the lead. A
forehand into the net gave Davenport the
break. She then sent a crosscourt forehand
that hit the frame of Graf's racket.
Davenport raced ahead 40-15 in the final
game but wasted the first match point with a
weak backhand. Graf then netted the next
service return, and the title belonged to
Davenport.
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