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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