:00:14. > :00:18.Excuse me, I am sorry, I speak as an Englishman. For the game of lawn
:00:19. > :00:23.tennis, there is no better symbol at Wimbledon. The place where the
:00:23. > :00:27.game a's flame was sparked, where so many spines have sat straight
:00:27. > :00:32.and tingled, Wimbledon. Where strawberries and cream have
:00:32. > :00:37.traditionally been sample been, children's eyes have been lit up
:00:37. > :00:41.and their cheeks have been dimpled in. Top seeds have stumbled have
:00:41. > :00:47.tumbled and been humbled in. Wimbledon. Where home-grown heroes
:00:47. > :00:52.hopes have swelled up and dwindled in. Wimbledon. The Grand Slam's
:00:52. > :01:02.Best of breed, it is that this, where physics expresses its fears,
:01:02. > :01:39.
:01:39. > :01:43.there is one word for tennis, and And then 120 pauper Wimbledon
:01:43. > :01:48.challenge Hibs will stop the defending champion opens
:01:48. > :01:52.proceedings - the 124 of Wimbledon Championships. I have got it used
:01:52. > :01:57.to that pressure over the years. It has become part of our lives,
:01:57. > :02:00.facing pressure. A break points are the most simple ones, but the
:02:00. > :02:05.leading into the tournament, what is on the line and playing for the
:02:05. > :02:10.history books, trying to equal Pete Sampras, it is something that
:02:10. > :02:13.everybody would want to do. I would like to do that. I have the big
:02:13. > :02:21.honour to opened the court, where the campaign starts and it is where
:02:22. > :02:27.my focus lies. Roger Federer to serve. Ready, play. If the Swiss
:02:27. > :02:32.does not too early exit sad Wimbledon and his first round
:02:32. > :02:36.opponent had never progressed beyond the second round. But could
:02:36. > :02:42.the tournament the beginning with the biggest shot - a shock of all.
:02:42. > :02:52.The first set to the Colombian. Into the second. Three games all,
:02:52. > :03:01.
:03:01. > :03:10.Two sets dam, four games all. Federer did not need and: bell to
:03:10. > :03:20.In the last decade, no player has moved with great athleticism or
:03:20. > :03:24.
:03:24. > :03:28.implacable purpose across the most One game later, it was the
:03:28. > :03:38.Colombian under pressure. 15,000 spectators collectively held their
:03:38. > :03:41.
:03:41. > :03:45.CHEERING. Safety for the champion was only
:03:46. > :03:50.temporary. The Colombian have refused to buckle. Hadn't broken
:03:50. > :04:00.early in the 4th set, he was serving for the match and Federer
:04:00. > :04:08.
:04:08. > :04:18.stood unbelievably three points But a legend under pressure and you
:04:18. > :04:24.
:04:24. > :04:29.are guaranteed something special. - CHEERING.
:04:29. > :04:33.The match would go to a decider. It was the first time Federer had been
:04:33. > :04:39.taken to five sets in the opening round since first being chair and -
:04:40. > :04:49.Grand windy and - ground Wimbledon champion in 2003. Normality
:04:50. > :04:56.
:04:56. > :05:01.Even those undeniably blessed with brilliance are occasionally felt to
:05:01. > :05:05.feel mere mortals. If you why used to being down your whole life, it
:05:05. > :05:09.is normal, but for me it is not normal to be down two sets to love
:05:09. > :05:12.at Wimbledon. But I was able to find a way and that is what is
:05:12. > :05:20.important. It doesn't matter how I important. It doesn't matter how I
:05:20. > :05:23.felt out there. I didn't feel great, As afternoon turned into the
:05:23. > :05:28.evening, Novak Djokovic made Wimbledon history, although not in
:05:28. > :05:34.the way he would have wanted. Ladies and gentlemen, play is
:05:34. > :05:38.suspended. We will close the roof of. The number three seed had just
:05:38. > :05:41.dropped the third set to his Belgian opponent, and was trading
:05:41. > :05:51.won the tournament referee declared the group should be closed to
:05:51. > :05:51.
:05:51. > :05:56.The disgruntled serve did not look much happier after a 40 minute
:05:56. > :06:00.hiatus. His touch seemed to have disappeared with a light as
:06:00. > :06:05.unforced errors grew. Meanwhile, his opponent, playing his final
:06:05. > :06:15.Wimbledon, was determined not to be left in the shadows. But Djokovic
:06:15. > :06:18.
:06:18. > :06:22.One last service winner saw Djokovic through. But knowing it
:06:22. > :06:25.had been too close to comfort, he acknowledged that a little
:06:25. > :06:35.assistance from on high had been necessary. The match will go down
:06:35. > :06:40.
:06:40. > :06:44.as the latest ever finished on After a surfeit up initial drama
:06:44. > :06:48.and tension, it is time for someone to demonstrate authority on Day 2
:06:48. > :06:58.of the Championships. Enter the Women's defending champion, Serena
:06:58. > :07:00.
:07:00. > :07:10.Williams, did begin her claws. - begin. 15 aces in 63 minutes.
:07:10. > :07:14.
:07:14. > :07:19.Emphatic was the 6-0, 6-4 win over Order had been restored. I don't
:07:19. > :07:21.put any pressure on myself. I am my toughest opponent and whenever I
:07:21. > :07:25.lose, it is my fault. I stayed lose, it is my fault. I stayed
:07:25. > :07:30.relaxed than do the best that I can. Hopefully, that will be winning,
:07:31. > :07:35.and if not, there is always Venus Williams. All the clothes conscious
:07:35. > :07:39.Williams sisters, the fashion stakes are always high. Fashion in
:07:39. > :07:43.women's tennis is now de rigueur, none more so than at Wimbledon,
:07:43. > :07:50.which has now been a catwalk for women's fashion in tennis for
:07:50. > :08:00.longer than people realise. At the 1949 Championships, Moran caused a
:08:00. > :08:03.
:08:03. > :08:07.stir by play it - playing in an outfit of silk panties. In 1971, at
:08:07. > :08:12.19-year-old Australian defeated her illustrious compatriot Margaret
:08:12. > :08:19.Court in the ladies' final. The Yvonne good luck on or a tingling
:08:19. > :08:24.creation as she fulfilled a childhood ambition. At about seven
:08:24. > :08:29.or raid, I read a story called Princess magazine. - 8. It was
:08:29. > :08:35.about a young girl who was trained at Wimbledon where she played on a
:08:35. > :08:42.magical Centre Court and one. I didn't find out until later that
:08:42. > :08:47.this place was for real. For that was absolutely a dream come true.
:08:47. > :08:53.To be able to win it for the first time. Nine years later, she won the
:08:53. > :09:01.title again. She defeated Chris Evert Lloyd. In 2010, at the bond
:09:01. > :09:11.is back at the All-England Club as a special guest - Yvonne. Wimbledon
:09:11. > :09:11.
:09:11. > :09:15.tickets, this way. You have made it, you have a ride. - a ripe. At the
:09:15. > :09:19.Federer's day one fright against someone he was supposed to beat
:09:19. > :09:28.with ease, the tennis faithful were keen that no such problems would
:09:28. > :09:33.add her for the future popular 2008 They don't come rough up or tougher
:09:33. > :09:41.than Rafa Nadal, one man the street gang have has come to reclaim his
:09:41. > :09:45.turf. I n well, Achilles knees. Off court, humble and soft talking,
:09:45. > :09:55.considers no one beneath him, while his rivals hope to lift the trophy,
:09:55. > :09:56.
:09:56. > :10:00.Knee injuries truly decreed that Rafa Nadal could not defend the
:10:00. > :10:10.title he won in what many regard as the greatest match of them all. He
:10:10. > :10:29.
:10:29. > :10:39.made up for lost time against the CHEERING.
:10:39. > :10:43.
:10:43. > :10:48.Day three, court 18, round one. America's John Isner versus the
:10:48. > :10:52.Frenchman Nicolas Mahut. A match carried over from Tuesday when a
:10:52. > :10:57.light run-out at two sets all. Routine, many would have said as
:10:57. > :11:01.the 5th set commenced. Little did anyone know what was to follow.
:11:01. > :11:05.There seemed that no end to the contest. Serve followed serve, ace
:11:05. > :11:15.followed ace, as the umpire announced game followed game
:11:15. > :11:17.
:11:17. > :11:19.followed game. 44 games all, final set. 50 games all. For the
:11:19. > :11:27.unfinished 5th set had already unfinished 5th set had already
:11:28. > :11:31.stretched further than the previous 59 games all. End of Wimbledon
:11:31. > :11:36.Library, Chief historian Allan Little was gearing up for a major
:11:36. > :11:41.rewrite of his record books. Both players came off court at 59 games
:11:41. > :11:51.all. They would return the following afternoon to resume a
:11:51. > :11:59.
:11:59. > :12:06.It is the morning of Thursday 24th June 1920 10. The All-England Club
:12:06. > :12:09.is preparing for a very special day - June the 2010. Her Majesty the
:12:10. > :12:18.Queen will be visiting the Championships for the first time in
:12:18. > :12:22.33 years. We will be showing the Queen what we call the picnic
:12:22. > :12:28.terrace and the big screen, so the general public will have greater
:12:28. > :12:32.access to her, so they can see our Queen. I have invited the top seeds
:12:32. > :12:42.in the men's and Ladies' Singles to come out. They have all been
:12:42. > :12:43.
:12:43. > :12:47.delighted to do so. And also one or two of the golden oldies. As Her
:12:47. > :12:51.Majesty approached the members' lawn, the sum and tennis gentry
:12:51. > :12:53.took their places for an appointment with loyal tree - the
:12:53. > :13:02.sum under tennis gentry took their places for an appointment with
:13:02. > :13:08.Venus Williams and Roger Federer joined other special guests for
:13:08. > :13:10.lunch with Her Majesty. All around the grounds, there was a buzz of
:13:11. > :13:15.excitement and the Centre Court crowds are prepared for an extra
:13:15. > :13:20.special afternoon. The Queen took their place in the Royal Box,
:13:20. > :13:24.joining pasta British players and notable champions. Virginia Wade
:13:24. > :13:28.bus that stirred some memories. She won the Ladies' final in 1977, when
:13:28. > :13:33.Her Majesty last visited the Championships. This time, the
:13:33. > :13:37.honour of playing before the Queen was given to 4th seed Andy Murray.
:13:37. > :13:47.Both players were observing tradition and bowed before the
:13:47. > :13:49.
:13:49. > :13:52.The match was an impressive display from the Scot, whose build up to
:13:52. > :13:58.the Championships had not been as the Championships had not been as
:13:58. > :14:03.impressive as the year previously. But 74 years is a long time since
:14:03. > :14:08.the winner of Fred Perry at Wimbledon. But the Queen watching
:14:08. > :14:17.the great British hope, only the best would do. Andy Murray did his
:14:17. > :14:23.duty. On court 18, tennis fans packed out the 782 seat arena to
:14:23. > :14:33.witness history in the making. John Isner and Nicolas Mahut resumed
:14:33. > :14:41.their epic encounter. They had already played 163 games. Thursdays
:14:41. > :14:46.started like Wednesday ended. Their service game prevailed. Someone,
:14:46. > :14:52.sometime, some day had to falter in a match that explored the limits of
:14:52. > :14:55.physical and mental endurance. Eventually, it was Nicolas Mahut.
:14:56. > :15:05.After serving to stay in the match for the 65th time, luck deserted
:15:06. > :15:06.
:15:06. > :15:14.him. The greatest match ever as an emotionally decimated Nicolas Mahut
:15:14. > :15:18.called it, broke all records. 215 aces. The court clock ended 11
:15:18. > :15:22.hours and five minutes after it hours and five minutes after it
:15:22. > :15:27.began. Nothing like this will happen again. It is pretty neat. I
:15:27. > :15:37.am glad my name and his name will am glad my name and his name will
:15:37. > :15:43.go down in the record books. I am happy to be a part of it. In 2010,
:15:43. > :15:48.Wimbledon welcomed back to former world No. 1 players. Belgium's
:15:49. > :15:51.Justine Henan and Kim Clijsters had been absent from the Championships
:15:51. > :15:57.for two and three years respectively, having gone
:15:57. > :16:01.temporarily into retirement. Wimbledon, you have the grass and
:16:01. > :16:08.beautiful flowers. It is a very cosy tournament. That is what you
:16:08. > :16:13.feel from the beginning, as you walk in, whether it is Centre Court
:16:13. > :16:18.or the practice courts. The history is there and you really feel it.
:16:18. > :16:24.There is something very special about the British crowns. I love
:16:24. > :16:29.these islands between the points up. -- the British crowd at. You have
:16:29. > :16:35.this support, and you just give your best to show them good tennis,
:16:35. > :16:40.because they deserve it. The long- time rivals had made it through to
:16:40. > :16:45.the last 16. The draw brought them together to fight for a place in
:16:45. > :16:50.the quarter-finals. While I focused on playing grass-court tennis, and
:16:50. > :16:57.I am capable of doing it, I have done well and made a few semi-
:16:57. > :17:02.finals. I never gave myself the opportunity to get further. That is
:17:02. > :17:06.hopefully what I will try to do this year. I never thought it would
:17:06. > :17:16.happen. I thought that tennis was behind me and I would not be back
:17:16. > :17:17.
:17:17. > :17:21.again. Justine Henan, four times French Open champion, only return
:17:21. > :17:31.to competition in January and almost immediately reach the final
:17:31. > :17:35.
:17:35. > :17:41.of the Australian Open. She claimed Kim Clijsters had lost out in their
:17:41. > :17:46.only previous Wimbledon encounter. After giving birth to her daughter,
:17:46. > :17:56.she won last year's US Open title. She snatched dominance to level the
:17:56. > :18:01.
:18:01. > :18:07.It was now a battle royal between two contestants who knew each
:18:07. > :18:17.other's game inside out. Fitness would be crucial and Justine Henan
:18:17. > :18:44.
:18:44. > :18:54.found hers in bed after a fall. -- The 25th match of their rivalry saw
:18:54. > :18:54.
:18:54. > :19:00.Kim Clijsters the victor, and move ahead in an enticing head to head.
:19:00. > :19:05.The round of 16 saw other big names tumble. The delight for Danish
:19:05. > :19:15.teenager Caroline Wozniacki was the US Open finalist and had not
:19:15. > :19:16.
:19:16. > :19:26.dropped a set until meeting oil. Two previous visits -- Petra could
:19:26. > :19:34.
:19:34. > :19:40.She registered a first ever Grand UMPIRE: Ladies and gentlemen,
:19:40. > :19:45.Jelena Jankovic has to retire. fourth seed could be forgiven for
:19:45. > :19:51.thinking that nobody wants her to meet the final -- make the final.
:19:51. > :19:56.Again it she missed out on the second Monday. Vera Zvonareva made
:19:56. > :20:00.sure the trend took another turn for the worse. Grass has never been
:20:00. > :20:05.a favourite surface of Vera Zvonareva. But she exercised her
:20:05. > :20:10.own demons and made an intriguing prospect in the quarters. The
:20:10. > :20:17.Centre Court crowd was treated to a clash of great champions in the
:20:17. > :20:21.round of 16. Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova. The Russians
:20:21. > :20:26.banged to acclaim as the 17-year- old star let he denied the American
:20:26. > :20:31.a hat-trick of Wimbledon titles. Their encounter was an enticing
:20:31. > :20:35.prospect. The signs were good that Maria Sharapova had recovered from
:20:35. > :20:40.the shoulder problems that threatened her career. She seemed
:20:40. > :20:50.in on tent -- she seemed intent on matching Serena Williams. The tie-
:20:50. > :21:07.
:21:07. > :21:17.break, the first they had ever Maria Sharapova fell behind 3-1,
:21:17. > :21:22.
:21:22. > :21:26.only to get five of the next six At a set point, she squandered the
:21:26. > :21:36.opportunity and two more before an agonising double fault set up
:21:36. > :21:45.
:21:45. > :21:52.Serena Williams for heroin third A 13th ace to did the job. -- it
:21:52. > :21:57.did the job. When Serena Williams broke for a 2-1 lead in the second
:21:57. > :22:01.set, it signalled a joyous march to the last date for those supporting
:22:01. > :22:11.the champion. For those who wanted to see Maria Sharapova contending
:22:11. > :22:14.
:22:14. > :22:19.for major prizes, there was reason Wimbledon's old and demolished
:22:19. > :22:24.Court Number Two was nicknamed the graveyard of champions. Caroline
:22:24. > :22:28.Wozniacki was a casualty of the new arena and soon a male contender
:22:28. > :22:36.would follow suit. Last year's Peter finalist Andy Roddick was one
:22:36. > :22:46.of the contenders to reach the latter stages. The fifth seed's
:22:46. > :22:52.
:22:52. > :23:02.opponent in the fourth round was Roddick unleashed a fuselage of 38
:23:02. > :23:13.
:23:13. > :23:23.The American took the first set 6-4, but when Yen-Hsun Lu was gifted a
:23:23. > :23:40.
:23:40. > :23:49.Another Roddick double fault in the third set tie-break, another set
:23:49. > :23:58.point at 4 Yen-Hsun Lu. A pattern was forming. -- set point for Yen-
:23:58. > :24:04.Hsun Lu. He converted and lead by 2-1. Andy Roddick was in dire
:24:04. > :24:10.straits. He trailed 3-0 in the third tie-break of. He managed to
:24:10. > :24:18.work his way back and levelled the match. -- the third tie-break. Now,
:24:18. > :24:24.his reputation and past glory counted for nothing. There was
:24:24. > :24:34.almost nothing between the two men in this contest. Despite his lack
:24:34. > :24:34.
:24:34. > :24:44.of experience, Yen-Hsun Lu was called, calm and collected. -- cool.
:24:44. > :24:55.
:24:55. > :25:00.He found himself at match point on And, with a final flashing forehand
:25:00. > :25:10.pass, Yen-Hsun Lu was the first person from Taiwan up to reach the
:25:10. > :25:11.
:25:11. > :25:21.last eight of a Grand Slam. More I remember sitting with my father
:25:21. > :25:23.
:25:23. > :25:30.to watch this tournament. At the time, we made a joke. If I could
:25:30. > :25:38.one day play this tournament. How good is this? Men's quarter-finals
:25:38. > :25:43.day. The nation expects. The hopes are up. The sharp pencils are out.
:25:43. > :25:51.Can he end an in-patient nation's trophy drought. We do not know how
:25:51. > :25:59.it feels, such expectation. One person's shackle is another's spur.
:25:59. > :26:04.The pressure is on. Although it cannot be gauged in long game, at
:26:04. > :26:12.the public's first can only be assuaged with victory. Fred Perry
:26:12. > :26:16.on his plinth. He reminds us we high expectation holders, some of
:26:16. > :26:22.the reach greatness standing on the backs of chimes, some with giants
:26:22. > :26:31.pressing on their shoulders. -- giants. Nothing less will do ban
:26:31. > :26:35.outright victory. Then we will say, Bravo. Fred Perry won three. The
:26:35. > :26:41.defending champion would take centre-stage before the British
:26:41. > :26:43.number one. Roger Federer was, as he prepared for his eighth
:26:44. > :26:53.consecutive quarter final at Wimbledon. He had not lost one of
:26:54. > :27:10.
:27:10. > :27:16.those. This time, his opponent was Roger Federer's aim was a record
:27:17. > :27:22.equalling 7th title to tie with Pete Sampras. Tomas Berdych had yet
:27:22. > :27:27.to reach the final of a Grand Slam. He is built for a big game. He
:27:27. > :27:32.stands 6 ft 5 inches with a big serve and powerful ground strokes.
:27:32. > :27:42.It did not matter that his previous four victims were not ranked higher
:27:42. > :27:47.
:27:47. > :27:56.than 70. The Czech was dangerous. That was all he needed to capture
:27:56. > :28:06.the opening set at 6-4. He threatened Roger Federer and was
:28:06. > :28:18.
:28:18. > :28:22.prepared to suffer the consequences. And then, 6-3 to level the match.
:28:22. > :28:29.Were the crowd correct in assuming that Roger Federer had regained
:28:29. > :28:37.control? Giants do not lie down comfortably. Tomas Berdych raced up
:28:37. > :28:42.to a 3-0 lead in the third set. Eight champion's ability to fight
:28:42. > :28:50.back from positions of adversity, but on this occasion, Roger Federer
:28:50. > :29:00.was no more than fodder. Tomas Berdych was relentless. He blazed
:29:00. > :29:01.
:29:01. > :29:09.the third set 6-1. Roger Federer looked shaky on day one. This time,
:29:09. > :29:15.he appeared racked with an ease. He squandered four break points. Like
:29:15. > :29:25.everybody else, Tomas Berdych knew everything was not right across the
:29:25. > :29:27.
:29:27. > :29:32.net. He registered be conclusive break of serve. Roger Federer was
:29:32. > :29:37.playing with back and it leg problems. Not a lot of people knew
:29:37. > :29:44.that! Tomas Berdych was impregnable. What a shot could be more fitting
:29:44. > :29:49.to complete the most momentous win of his life than a huge forehand?
:29:49. > :29:56.The champion a was out. The inevitable scrutiny of the media
:29:56. > :30:02.was to follow. Roger Federer, he will begin with questions in
:30:02. > :30:08.English. I am unhappy with the way I am playing. I am struggling with
:30:08. > :30:18.a back and let the issue. Can you get back to a position of
:30:18. > :30:20.
:30:20. > :30:25.domination in tennis? I do think The prospect of a men's final
:30:25. > :30:35.without Federer seems a strange one. Do you think you will tune? I don't
:30:35. > :30:36.
:30:36. > :30:44.think so. Meanwhile on the other side of the draw, the world number
:30:44. > :30:50.one was now the de facto favourite to purr loin another jewel from
:30:50. > :30:54.Federer's treasure trove. Nadal has Brayed a Third Round crisis against
:30:54. > :30:58.Petzchner but the Spaniard showed he was back to his best next time
:30:58. > :31:02.out. Three matches remain and somebody who knows the Ruth to
:31:02. > :31:06.victory liked the signs he's saw. He is mie kind of guy. I like a guy
:31:06. > :31:11.who grinds and gives it everything he has on every point. He is not
:31:11. > :31:16.afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve, to let the fans see it, the
:31:16. > :31:19.way he is feeling, nothing goes just right all the time on a tennis
:31:19. > :31:26.court. And for him to show that and have the fans come into his home.
:31:26. > :31:30.When he is down on that court, that is his ground, that is his house.
:31:31. > :31:36.Number one court will be Rafa's turf for a rematch with Robin
:31:36. > :31:40.Soderling. 23 days had elapsed since they met in the French Open
:31:40. > :31:45.where the Swede beat Federer and Berdych. Three years previously
:31:45. > :31:55.mutual respect was hardly prevalent in a bad tempered Wimbledon
:31:55. > :31:56.
:31:56. > :32:02.exchange. It was a much anticipated What is the nicest sound to hear
:32:02. > :32:09.coming across from Centre Court? When you are on number one and
:32:09. > :32:14.trailing 5-0 in the opening set. How about the shockwaves announcing
:32:14. > :32:21.Federer's exit from the Championship. Soedling needed no
:32:21. > :32:30.inspiration. At the start of the second set, a dispute with the
:32:30. > :32:40.umpire clearly rattled Rafa. But he held his nerve, and his sever. --
:32:40. > :32:54.
:32:54. > :33:00.Stoke determination drove the man from Majorca to level the match. If
:33:00. > :33:04.Federer was preparing to pack his bags and go, Nadal was fight not to
:33:04. > :33:14.follow. So it proved. After winning the third set in a tie-break Nadal
:33:14. > :33:36.
:33:36. > :33:46.romped to the fourth by dropping Every one of his wins merits joyous
:33:46. > :33:50.
:33:50. > :33:58.celebration but his relief at the The second week of a slam is no
:33:58. > :34:01.time for sentiment. The story of Yen Hsun Lu was cheery but destined
:34:02. > :34:08.to conclude. Djokovic destroyed the man from Taiwan in three straight
:34:08. > :34:14.and brutal sets. The Serb looked hungry -- hungry for a second title.
:34:14. > :34:18.He was in the title zone. His next opponent Berdych. Andy Murray
:34:18. > :34:22.hadn't dropped a set coming into his quarterfinal against Jo-Wilfred
:34:22. > :34:29.Tsonga. The tenth seed from France wasn't just Murray's highest ranked
:34:29. > :34:32.opponent so far, he was by far the most powerful. It is easy to see
:34:32. > :34:35.why Tsonga's nickname is Muhammad Ali and in the opening set they
:34:35. > :34:45.matched each other blow for blow but it was the Frenchman who drew
:34:45. > :34:45.
:34:45. > :34:51.first blood. Murray lost his first set of the Championships. The
:34:51. > :34:55.second was again close. Extending to a tie-break. Tsonga seemed in
:34:55. > :35:04.control at 5-4 with serves to follow, but in a match changing
:35:04. > :35:14.moment he handed a gift to the Scot. Murray then took control. Winning
:35:14. > :35:20.
:35:20. > :35:22.the next two sets with ease. But in the semi, Nadal now lay in wait.
:35:22. > :35:29.plays great tennis here and psychologically, I need to believe
:35:29. > :35:39.that I can win the match, and that's the most important thing.
:35:39. > :35:39.
:35:39. > :35:45.Was he finally the man to succeed Fred Perry? New balls please.
:35:45. > :35:54.enabled procedure perfecters, designer labels, towel collectors.
:35:54. > :36:01.Part of the Wimbledon whir and hum. The great unsung. For midiblyed
:36:01. > :36:10.byable young retainers, daydream refrainers, well drilled oiled cogs,
:36:10. > :36:17.old tricks new dogs, champion s, superscooper, stooping scuttler,
:36:18. > :36:27.statues on stand by border patrollers, high handed server
:36:27. > :36:32.loader, the better they do it the less we notice. Venus Williams
:36:32. > :36:38.looked every times the five times champion as she progressed without
:36:38. > :36:46.any significant challenge. Things were to change in the last eight.
:36:46. > :36:53.Pervez Mir had never gone beyond the -- pirn co-have a. The second
:36:53. > :36:59.seed was out of sort, making errors. Pirn co-have a showed no sign of
:36:59. > :37:03.nerves b the score line of 6-2, 6-3 was fully deserved. I tried to be
:37:03. > :37:11.as calm as possible and not really think about hour titles and her
:37:11. > :37:16.name. I tried to see her as a tennis player, and I was feeling
:37:16. > :37:23.confident so I am happy I played this well, in that I won and I am
:37:23. > :37:29.in the semifinals now. How many of the number one court crowd has
:37:29. > :37:39.heard of her. Sport is all about surprise, and the pair produced an
:37:39. > :37:44.
:37:44. > :37:51.epic that lasted two-and-a-half In the semifinal, the Czech would
:37:51. > :37:55.face the defending champion who wasted little time on Centre Court.
:37:55. > :38:05.Serena Williams was through to the last four for the seventh time at
:38:05. > :38:09.Wimbledon. The Kim Clijsters encounter was not so clear-cut. It
:38:09. > :38:16.was suggested the Belgian would come out on top. She won the first
:38:16. > :38:21.set. But the Russian refused to submit. Levelled, and in the
:38:21. > :38:29.deciding third set Kim Clijsters was visibly struggling. Her
:38:29. > :38:34.opponent took advantage and reached her first Wimbledon semifinal. The
:38:34. > :38:41.Championships reached the business end of the tournament. Thomas
:38:41. > :38:44.Berdych would be the surprise package in the men's final. The
:38:44. > :38:49.Czech powerhouse barely allowed Novak Djokovic to draw breath in
:38:49. > :38:54.two hours and 18 minutes. After the appetiser came the main course, and
:38:54. > :38:58.big names were there for the feast. To the dismay of English icons and
:38:58. > :39:08.every other British sports fan, Andy Murray's title hopes were
:39:08. > :39:10.
:39:10. > :39:20.incinerated by a gathering fire from ma owe ka. -- Majorca. The
:39:20. > :39:34.
:39:34. > :39:38.Scot did not play badly but Nadal There was little between both
:39:38. > :39:42.players and in three close sets but when it came to the crunch moments
:39:42. > :39:52.Nadal has more awareness, more determination and more ruthlessness
:39:52. > :40:04.
:40:04. > :40:14.to identify them and make them go Rafael Nadal was a Wimbledon
:40:14. > :40:24.
:40:24. > :40:29.finalist for the fourth time. Another player more famous had
:40:29. > :40:33.words of encouragement. Go for it, play your best tennis, play the
:40:33. > :40:37.tennis you know how to play. Don't try to do anything special. You are
:40:37. > :40:42.not playing Wimbledon, you are playing the ball. Just play the
:40:42. > :40:47.ball. She was not overaud but Serena demonstrated why many
:40:47. > :40:53.believe she is the most forceful tennis female of all time. She was
:40:53. > :40:59.through to her sixth Wimbledon final. Nerves were always going to
:40:59. > :41:05.be an overriding issue in the other semifinal, with both contestants in
:41:05. > :41:15.unusual territory. One was more experienced and after a hard fought
:41:15. > :41:21.
:41:21. > :41:27.tussle it was the Russian who was I always believe in myself, if I am
:41:27. > :41:37.able to produce the best tennis, I am able to beat anyone on the other
:41:37. > :41:43.side of the net. Will try and play the best tennis. It honours even
:41:43. > :41:49.could the up shot be an upset. She won't play Serena but Serena's
:41:49. > :41:56.mighty aura, this can mean Serena seem a better prospect. It is a
:41:56. > :41:59.best bet, take the battle to Serena and unsettle her opponent. Grasp
:41:59. > :42:04.the nettle. Williams and Vera Zvonareva, honour all to play for.
:42:04. > :42:09.Vera Zvonareva had it all to play for in her first Grand Slam final.
:42:09. > :42:12.Her opponent was sizing up a major singles trophy for the 16th time.
:42:12. > :42:15.There is a lot of nerves if you haven't been through it. You try to
:42:15. > :42:21.imagine because you have watched other players go through it what it
:42:21. > :42:25.will feel like. The thing you try to do if you can is to come back to,
:42:25. > :42:29.it is still a tennis court, it is still, you know, you still have to
:42:29. > :42:33.stay in the process, you know, one ball at a time. Not one point, but
:42:33. > :42:37.one ball at a time. If you can wrap your head round that, then you do
:42:37. > :42:44.have an opportunity, but I think the person that has more experience
:42:44. > :42:49.in this case, definitely has an advantage. Billy jien gene king was
:42:49. > :42:52.bracing herself. If Serena won her 13th Grand Slam title she would
:42:53. > :42:59.overtaker in the record books. The task for Vera Zvonareva could not
:42:59. > :43:05.have been more daunting. She was the second lowest ranked ladies
:43:05. > :43:15.finalist ever while Williams had yet to drop a set. But early on she
:43:15. > :43:19.
:43:19. > :43:22.more than stood up to the Williams' After six game, the score board
:43:23. > :43:27.read three games all but Serena decided the time was right to
:43:27. > :43:37.change up a couple of gears, and overtook her opponent in the fast
:43:37. > :44:12.
:44:12. > :44:14.The Russian did not win another Point-by-point, Serena pummel and
:44:14. > :44:24.pushed Vera Zvonareva into submission with a relentless
:44:24. > :44:46.
:44:46. > :44:50.barrage. She unleashed a She underlined the assertion the
:44:50. > :45:00.women -- Williams sisters haven't just raised the bar in the women's
:45:00. > :45:15.
:45:15. > :45:19.game, instead they have smashed it Game, set match Miss Williams.
:45:19. > :45:23.fourth one feels just as special as the first one. Every time you are
:45:23. > :45:31.out there and take in that court you think of the hard work, and to
:45:31. > :45:41.win it is a really really, just amazing thing. Vera Zvonareva was
:45:41. > :45:47.
:45:47. > :45:54.no more fortunate in the women's doubles final. The men's title went
:45:54. > :46:04.to Austria's melzer and Petzchner. The mixed doubles Championship was
:46:04. > :46:08.
:46:08. > :46:12.won by Pace and Black. It's a lawn, just a lawn, but it is more than a
:46:12. > :46:20.lawn, a dance floor, a war zone, a platform, a stage, showcase,
:46:20. > :46:24.Colosseum, a ring, a fight cage. Big top, debating hall, combat
:46:25. > :46:29.arena, goldfish bowl. Cauldron, a cliche convener, Petrie dish,
:46:29. > :46:36.pressure cooker, drama provider, physics laboratory, small Hadron
:46:36. > :46:43.Collider. It is a lawn but one made by the best irregular lawn, a lawn
:46:43. > :46:52.that is bres blessed, made of grass, possessed of a singular
:46:52. > :46:56.unparalleled beauty. And every blade of grass is expected to do
:46:56. > :47:04.its duty. The head ground man and his team had done their duty. It
:47:04. > :47:09.was time for the men's finalists to take centre stage. Thomas is a
:47:09. > :47:16.great player. He did amazing against Roger, against Djokovic. So
:47:16. > :47:22.what he did, it is very important. He has got some experience, you
:47:22. > :47:27.know, to win the Grand Slam. He has something over me, but, you know, I
:47:27. > :47:33.am saying same thing as, again, if I am going to play well, be agree -
:47:33. > :47:43.- aggressive, there is a chance. This tournament is always a dream
:47:43. > :47:43.
:47:43. > :47:53.for me. When I was a kid. I am very happy for that, I am feel like I'm
:47:53. > :48:02.
:48:02. > :48:06.going to play another final, and Just as he did three times
:48:06. > :48:11.previously, Nadal came into the final looking to do what many
:48:11. > :48:16.believed impossible in 21st century tennis and add the Wimbledon crown
:48:16. > :48:21.to that he won at the French Open 28 days earlier. How would first
:48:21. > :48:31.time finalist Berdych, he of the athletic frame and awesome power,
:48:31. > :48:41.
:48:41. > :48:51.stand up to the tennis machine Nadal broke twice in succession
:48:51. > :48:55.
:48:55. > :48:59.late in the first set, to take it 6-3. Game and first set, Nadal.
:48:59. > :49:09.the second, Berdych tried to use his strengths to stay in the hunt.
:49:09. > :49:10.
:49:10. > :49:18.He came to appreciate there is no Even the man who has long argued he
:49:18. > :49:24.has the most faultless vision in tennis could not be be leave his be
:49:24. > :49:29.stackled eyes. In the commentary booth the other in the Royal Box,
:49:29. > :49:39.both were in admiration of the world number one. The sun continued
:49:39. > :49:47.
:49:47. > :49:51.to shine, just as it had done Second set to Nadal. The mountain
:49:51. > :50:01.that stood before the Czech giant was growing taller. Even when
:50:01. > :50:15.
:50:15. > :50:25.clouds came over, Spanish skill The world number one's remorseful
:50:25. > :50:40.
:50:40. > :50:43.hitting was too much to contend Simply stunning. Nadal fittingly
:50:43. > :50:53.clinched his second Wimbledon crown in the incredible style the world
:50:53. > :51:07.
:51:07. > :51:17.In Nadal's eyes he has finally achieved the title defence he was
:51:17. > :51:22.cruelly denied by injury a year previously. Every one is special,
:51:22. > :51:26.just be back on this tournament, it is unbelievable. My life was a
:51:26. > :51:31.dream to play here and you can imagine now how I feel after
:51:31. > :51:37.playing four finals and two titles. It is very special feeling, and I