Serena Williams Captures Her 5th Wimbledon Title! You Go Girl! There Are NO 2nd Place Winners!

Serena Williams wins her 5th Wimbledon title

Serena Williams won her fifth Wimbledon title, and 14th major championship, by beating Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland 6-1, 5-7, 6-2 Saturday.

The 30-year-old American had little trouble at the start on Centre Court, using her hard serve and powerful groundstrokes to win the first five games and run Radwanska all over the grass.

Radwanska, who was playing in her first Grand Slam final, has been ill with a respiratory problem, making it difficult for her to speak. In the second set and already down a break, the third-seeded Pole was coughing and blowing her nose during a changeover.

But she broke Williams in the next game to even the score at 4-4, and then broke again to win the second set.

Williams responded in the third set, breaking twice and serving out to win another major title.

After hitting a backhand winner on match point, she fell onto her back to the grass. She then rose with a grin as big sister Venus - another five-time Wimbledon champion - smiled and applauded, along with the rest of the crowd.

After shaking hands with Radwanska, Williams climbed into the box where her family was seated. She hugged her father, Venus, their mother and others.


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Serena Williams Captures Her 4th Wimbledon Title! Congrats!

Serena Williams Powers To 4th Wimbledon Title


Serena Williams has successfully defended her Wimbledon title beating Russian Vera Zvonareva 6-3 6-2 in a one-sided ladies singles final at the All England Club in London.

The victory is Williams' fourth Wimbledon singles title and her 13th overall in Grand Slams.

The early exchanges on Centre Court promised a more even contest as both women held their opening service games without alarm.

It wasn't until the sixth game of the match that Williams was handed a chance to break Zvonareva's serve, but the Russian held her nerve to thwart the increasing dominant American.

But another chance presented itself just two games later. This time the number one seed made no mistake clinching the game with a running passing shot past the Zvonareva's flailing racquet.

Williams duly served out the set with ease, winning it 6-3.

Any chance of a comeback faded quickly for Zvonareva, the 21st seed, as she lost her opening service game in the second set as she forced a passing shot into the net on break point.

Williams broke the Russian's serve again in the fifth game and followed it up with a dominant service game to take her to the brink of victory.

Zvonareva, who was playing in her first Grand Slam title, delayed the inevitable by holding serve in the seventh game. But Williams, playing in her sixth Wimbledon singles final, made no mistakes in the eighth game serving out to love to take the set 6-2, completing the match in just 67 minutes.

"I just feel like at Wimbledon, whenever I come on this grass and play on this amazing court I start serving well. Everyone's dreams can come true if you keep believing," Williams added, AFP reported.

"This one is very special. This is number 13 for me now. I would like to congratulate Vera. She's been through so much in the past year," Williams told BBC Sport.

The win moves Williams up to sixth place, ahead of Billie Jean King, on the all-time list of most Grand Slam titles.

Despite having knocked out three higher seeded players on her way to the final, including Jelena Jankovic, seeded four, and U.S. Open champion and eighth seed Kim Clijsters, Williams had too much strength for the 25-year-old, whose career has been blighted by injuries.

"I think I'm a little disappointed that maybe I wasn't able to show my best today. But I think Serena didn't allow me to show my best. Congratulations to her. She was just playing really well and deserved to win. She is a great champion," Zvonareva told BBC Sport.

The men's doubles final followed Williams and Zvonareva on Centre Court and was won by Austrian Jurgen Melzer and Germany's Philipp Petzschner.

The unseeded pairing beat 16th seeds, Swede Robert Lindstedt and Horia Tecau from Romania in straight sets 6-1 7-5 7-5.


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Feder Takes Home Men's Wimbledon Prize...15th Grand Slam

MSN Sports, Fox Sports----

WIMBLEDON, England - Roger Federer hoisted the trophy and celebrated making Grand Slam history, a year removed from an epic five-set final when he left Wimbledon a broken man, his title ripped away and his aura of invincibility shattered.

Federer waged another five-set marathon Sunday, and left as the holder of the most prestigious record in tennis. This time, the winner's trophy belonged to him, with the No. 1 ranking in his grasp again and his reputation enhanced as perhaps the greatest player in history.

Federer won his record 15th Grand Slam title, outlasting Andy Roddick for his sixth Wimbledon championship in match that went to 30 games in the final set.

Federer served a career-high 50 aces and overcame the resilient American 5-7, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5), 3-6, 16-14 to break the record of major titles he shared with Pete Sampras.

"I'm happy I broke the record here because this is always the tournament that meant the most to me," Federer said. "It definitely feels like coming full circle, starting it here and ending it here."

The match finally ended after 4 hours, 16 minutes when Federer broke for the first time all day, with Roddick missing on a forehand.

Federer jumped high in celebration, punched the air and whacked the net with his racket. Roddick tossed his racket to the side and the two men shared a hug at the net. Federer kissed the trophy and brought it close to his chest.

Watching from the front row of the Royal Box was Sampras, a seven-time Wimbledon champion who flew in from California, his first appearance at the All England Club since playing this tournament for the last time in 2002. Also on hand were Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver.

"It's not really one of those goals you set as a little boy, but man, it's been quite a career and quite a month," said Federer, who saved four set points in the second-set tiebreaker to avoid falling behind 2-0 in sets. "It feels amazing, but this is not why I'm playing tennis to break all sort of different records. But it's definitely one of the greatest ones to have."

Turning to Sampras, Federer said: "Thanks very much for coming. I know it's a long way, but you're a member, man, we like to see you here. It's such a pleasure to play in front of such greats legends."

Roddick said: "Sorry Pete, I tried to hold him off."

The historic impact of the match hit home when Sampras arrived after the third game of the first set. Accompanied by his wife, Bridgette Wilson, he sat next to Spanish great Manolo Santana and a few seats from Laver and Borg. He wore sunglasses, a gray suit and light blue shirt and tie.

"In a way, I still feel like we share (the record) because he was such a wonderful champion," Federer said, referring to Sampras. "He still has one up against me here at Wimbledon. It's nice that he shows appreciation for what I'm doing."

Federer is the third player to win six Wimbledon championships — Sampras and William Renshaw each won seven.

Sampras considers Federer the greatest ever.

"I have to give it to him," he said. "The critics say Laver, and (Rafael) Nadal has beaten him a few times at majors. He's won all the majors, he's won 15 now, he's going to win a few more here. So in my book he is."

"He's a stud," Sampras added. "He's only 27. He'll contend here for many years, and the U.S. Open, and all the majors. If he just keeps it going and stays healthy, he could go to 18, 19, potentially.The guy, he's a legend. Now he's an icon."

Federer reclaimed the No. 1 ranking he lost last year to Nadal, the Spaniard who beat him in the classic 2008 final that finished in near darkness at 9-7 in the fifth but missed this year's tournament because of knee problems.

"I'm aware that Rafa didn't play here," Federer said. "Injuries are part of the game, unfortunately, but I'm happy I became No. 1 in the world by winning this title because this is the biggest one there is out there. I love playing here."

It was the longest men's Grand Slam final in history at 77 games — breaking the previous record of 71 from 1927 in Australia. It was also the longest fifth set in a men's Grand Slam final in history, surpassing the 20 games from 1927 in France.

The 30-game final set could have encompassed several sets. Federer's straight-set victories in the first and second rounds were each shorter in total number of games than Sunday's decisive set.

The fifth set went back-and-forth with the players slugging huge serves at each other, offering few chances to break. Roddick saved one break point in the second game, and Federer erased two at 8-8 when he came up with two big serves when 15-40 down.

"I was just trying to survive each time and hold serve and give myself a shot," Roddick said. "It didn't work out, but I definitely gave myself a look."

Finally, in the 30th game, serving with Federer ahead 15-14, Roddick blinked. On the second deuce, he misplayed a forehand to give Federer a chance to secure his place in history. On match point, after a contest featuring so many aces, winners and brilliant shots, Roddick shanked a forehand. Until then, Federer had been 0-6 on break points.

The statistics were eye-catching: Federer's 50 aces were one short of the Wimbledon record held by Ivo Karlovic. Federer had an incredible total of 107 winners, compared with 38 unforced errors. Roddick had 27 aces, 74 winners and 33 unforced mistakes.

Some people were writing off Federer after he lost to Nadal in the Australian Open final and broke down in tears in the trophy ceremony. Federer continued to struggle early in the season before winning the French Open for the first time to complete a career Grand Slam.

On Sunday, Federer became the third man in 40 years to win the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year, joining Borg and Nadal.

"This year is crazy," Federer said. "Things didn't look so good when I lost in the final of the Australian Open, which was still just an unbelievable result. But to come through and battle back and win Paris and now Wimbledon back-to-back, something Bjorn did a couple of times, it's amazing."

Playing in his record 20th Grand Slam final and sixth in a row overall, Federer beat Roddick for the third time in the Wimbledon championship match, adding to his victories in 2004 and '05. He extended his overall mastery over the American to 19-2, including 8-0 at Grand Slams.

Federer had the first break chance at 5-5 in the first set, but Roddick bore down and saved four break points in a game that went to deuce five times. Roddick then broke in the next game to take the set, closing with a deep backhand that forced a forehand error by Federer.

The second set went on serve until the tiebreaker, which Roddick let slip from his grasp after going up 6-2. Federer saved four set points — with Roddick missing a relatively easy high backhand volley on the fourth — and won six straight overall to even the match.

Roddick saved another break point in the sixth game of the third set with an ace, and both players held easily the rest of the way to force a second tiebreaker. Federer held three set points at 6-3. Roddick saved the first two but Federer took the third by moving forward on a short ball to put away a forehand winner.

At that stage, Federer might have been expected to ride the momentum and sweep to victory in the fourth. Yet Roddick broke for the second time in the fourth game, bending low for a sliced shot and hitting a backhand pass that Federer couldn't handle. At 5-2, Roddick fell on the baseline with his right leg slipping out from under him. But he shook it off and served out the set to send the match to the fifth.


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Sources: MSN Sports, Fox Sports, Reuters, Google Maps

Celebrities Spotted At Wimbledon...Venus vs Serena, Andy Roddick Beats Murray

Huffington Post----

Celebrities are turning out in droves to watch their favorite players at the All England club during Wimbledon.

Justin Timberlake, Jude Law, Ewan McGregor, Johnny Lee Miller, Sam Mendes, Kate Winslet and even "Gossip Girl" guy Chace Crawford have been snapped so far.

(Its the Williams sisters! Venus vs. Serena.)

Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.

(Andy Roddick beats Andy Murray in the 2009 Semi-Finals.)







Roddick wins war of Andys, will face Federer


WIMBLEDON, England - Rising, rising, rising, high above the most famous patch of grass in tennis, Roger Federer channeled Pete Sampras on match point in the Wimbledon semifinals Friday, tucking both feet back beneath his body and uncorking an overhead smash.

And now, after years of chasing Sampras, Federer is poised to surpass him.

A victory over No. 6-seeded Andy Roddick of the United States in Sunday’s final at the All England Club would give Federer his 15th Grand Slam singles championship, breaking a tie with Sampras for the most in history. It also would give Federer a sixth Wimbledon title and a return to No. 1 in the rankings.

As it is, No. 2 Federer’s overwhelming 7-6 (3), 7-5, 6-3 victory over No. 24 Tommy Haas of Germany in Friday’s opening match on Center Court put the Swiss star in a seventh consecutive Wimbledon final and 20th career Grand Slam final — establishing two other marks.

“I’m very proud of all the records I’ve achieved, because I never thought I would be that successful as a kid. You know, I would have been happy winning a couple tournaments and maybe collecting Wimbledon,” the 27-year-old Federer said. “It’s quite staggering.”

Yes, Roger, it certainly is.

When he finished off Haas with that Sampras like leaping putaway, Federer simply waited at the net to shake hands. Then he gave a little wave of his racket in the direction of his pregnant wife, his parents and other supporters in the guest seats above a scoreboard, before making the same gesture toward the Royal Box, where past greats of the game Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver were among the invited guests.

Winning a Wimbledon semifinal — indeed, any Grand Slam semifinal — is all so very been-there, done-that for Federer: He is 20-3 in major semis over his career, reaching 16 of the past 17 major finals.

“I know what’s on the line,” Federer said. “I hope I can play another good match.”

His previous match against Haas, on June 1 in the fourth round of the French Open, was much tighter. Haas won the first two sets that day — drew within five points of victory, even — before Federer came back en route to winning the title at Roland Garros to complete a career Grand Slam and tie Sampras with 14 Grand Slam championships.

This time, Federer was quite close to perfect. He won a remarkable 72 of 83 points on his serve, did not face a single break point and finished with 49 winners and only 15 unforced errors.

“You know, that’s the way it goes playing against him,” Haas said. “There aren’t really any weaknesses.”

Roddick celebrated rather emotionally after finishing off No. 3 Andy Murray of Britain 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (5) in Friday’s second semifinal. The 2003 U.S. Open champion, still seeking a second major title, dropped to his knees, leaned forward and covered his head with his hands.

Leaving the court, Roddick paused to enjoy the moment, thankful that all of the changes he’s made over the past several months paid dividends: tweaking his diet to drop 15 pounds, hiring a new coach, working more than ever to improve his returns, his volleys, his backhand.

“To be honest, the last couple of years, I didn’t know if I’d ever get a chance to play for another Grand Slam title,” Roddick said. “Now I get to. It’s just a dream.”

This part might cause some nightmares before Sunday: Roddick is 2-18 against Federer, including losses in the 2004 and 2005 Wimbledon finals, as well as the 2006 U.S. Open final.

“I’ve had plenty of time to study his game, to understand his game,” Federer said. “He’s always played me also quite differently every single time.”

Then again, Roddick was 2-6 previously against Murray, who was trying to become the first British man to reach the Wimbledon final since the 1930s and, of course, received plenty of partisan support from the 15,000 or so spectators.

Roddick joked beforehand he’d be pretending that all those shouts of “Come on, Andy!” were for him, but he was outsmarted: Instead of the usual first-name cheers, the crowd yelled support for their man “Murray!”

Didn’t matter. Roddick was too good on the most important points and that made the difference on a day Murray compiled more aces (25-21), more winners (76-64) and fewer unforced errors (20-24). Roddick won far more points at the net, 48-15, and put in a far higher percentage of first serves, 75-52, while hitting much harder than Murray, reaching a tournament-high 143 mph.

“If he serves like that,” Murray said, “he’s got a chance against anyone.”

There was only one break point in the first set, and it came with Murray serving while trailing 5-4. Murray went ahead 30-love, but Roddick took the next four points, showing off some of the newfound versatility in his game. He got to break point with a drop-shot winner on a 10-stroke exchange. And he ended the set with a booming backhand down the line that forced Murray into a forehand error on the point’s 17th stroke.

The stands were close to silent, and it was clear Murray needed to do something to get the fans — and himself — going. He did just that, breaking Roddick at love to open the second set, then holding with the help of three aces in a row to go up 2-0.


After serving out that set, Murray was on the verge of beginning the third the exact same way. But Roddick saved three break points to hold for 1-0.

“You’re probably not going to get out of a love-40 hole too often against a guy who returns like him,” Roddick said. “So that was definitely key.”

Roddick broke to 3-1, and at 5-2 was two points away from taking the third set. But Murray eventually broke back and, in the tiebreaker, he held a set point at 6-5. On a 13-stroke exchange, Roddick misplayed a forehand volley in such a way that it turned into a winner.

“He apologized,” Murray said.

Moments later, Murray shanked one forehand long, then dumped a passing try into the net, and Roddick owned the lead and momentum. Less than an hour later, Roddick owned the match, improving to 26-4 in tiebreakers this season when he smacked a forehand approach shot and Murray put a backhand into the net.

A year ago, Roddick lost in the second round at Wimbledon, prompting some serious soul-searching. He was traveling in the States the day of the 2008 Wimbledon final, which Federer lost to nemesis Rafael Nadal 9-7 in the fifth set in fading light. Roddick wound up staying at the airport to watch the end of the match on TV.

Now it will be Roddick trying to beat Federer with a Wimbledon championship at stake.

And Federer trying to beat Roddick with history at stake.

“Obviously you can’t really say enough to kind of signify what Roger’s career has been to this point,” Roddick said.

As for Federer’s bid to collect No. 15, Roddick said: “I’d love to delay it for another Grand Slam.”


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