Day 10 Wimbledon

track. The weather has cleared, the matches have been completed. The men

had their day yesterday. The defending champion has departed but

Federer and Novak Djokovic Tremain. But that was then, and this is now.

It is time for the ladies to take centre stage.

It is girl power all the way on Centre Court this afternoon. This is

the order of play today. The players arrived earlier today

and here is Lucie Safarova, 27 years of age, and it's great to see her

hard work rewarded. Her first time going into a major championship.

She's up against someone who knows watches doing. Petra Kvitova. She

won the title here before. Simona Halep, she is always cool under

pressure and she will be put under pressure by Bouchard, the talk of

the tour. A quarterfinal victory asleep at InfoWorld's top ten for

the first time. A lot to look forward to on Centre Court. People

are watching it on Henman Hill and around Wimbledon. So much to enjoy

here, not just the tennis but also the strawberries and cream, but

today, it looks like an ice cream all the way with temperatures we

have, so everyone enjoying the champagne, the ice cream, and just

enjoying the whole experience. Hopefully a future champion, we

hope. Dad is there to look after her. What a glorious day to play

tennis. Everyone is enjoying the weather and looking forward to some

entertaining tennis on Centre Court and we are set for the first

semifinal between two good friends and team-mates.

That is the first of the semifinals and Petra Kvitova add an early break

in the first set but Lucie Safarova of comeback and is showing no sign

of nerves in her first Grand Slam semifinal so let's join this weird

Kvitova serving to stay in the opening set.

Kvitova started the semifinal so well, breaking her friend in the

opening game. From the point Safarova got herself back into it,

you feel she is the one asking the questions.

She is hot and cold. She has the bigger weapons but you never know

what's around the corner with Kvitova.

That serve is just so hard to deal with. Gets it done with placement,

so short in the box. Terrific angle. First set percentages are bubbling

around the low 60s, which is all right, but not really serviceable.

She uses it as a weapon, so she wanted around 65-70.

Kvitova is coming in with first serve its percentage at 64% for the

tournament. Such a huge difference when Kvitova

is able to get the first Serbian and dictate play. The second one in,

Safarova gets a good hit on it. -- serve in. Right up the middle, in

the brown patch. She is behind the baseline at the

moment. The ground is looking more like unbaked clay, it's beginning to

appear. So they will swap ends with Petra

Kvitova with the mini-break. It's amazing, the difference in the grass

between the first and second, as far as feeling confident in your

movement. The first three or four days, the grass has so much moisture

in it, particularly on the sides of the court, and you are planting to

go back to the middle and you feel like you might slip. It's very dry.

Doing a lot of running around on it. It's become a lot more compact. It

has been pressed down. So, with a mini-break, Kvitova, 4-2.

That's the way she has been all set. Her backhand has been

exceptional. Pulling Kvitova wide with the angle, and then firing up

the line with accuracy. Goodness me! Only

the match, but what quality. That could be very costly. Kvitova,

two service points to come. Kvitova paid for trying to place her

first serve and she was all over it. A great resilience from Safarova.

Mentally strong and looking for that forehand. Back on serve, 5-5.

Now, this is the wobbly bit of a tie-break where every other point is

big and this is a big one at the moment because Kvitova is on the

brink of the first set, and she knows it.

That serve was very tricky. Kvitova has not played left-handed this

tournament and it was 84 mph. It must have hit the line because it

stopped, shot up and Kvitova hit it so early.

Centre Court has seen a lot of Petra Kvitova down the years but not seen

much of Lucie Safarova and her dad. What we have seen of him and her so

far, we have enjoyed and there she is, 6-6 in the tie-break.

She gave Alison Hughes along State, wondering whether to challenge or

not, but the umpire assured her the call was good. -- a long stare.

This time it is set point on the Kvitova serve.

Her coach leaves the applause. What a wonderful way to start semifinal

stage here on Centre Court. That was 51 minutes of some quality, Tracy

Austin. Yes, not much between them. A little extra experience at the end

about tie-break. A couple of miscues from Safarova. This is what it means

to Kvitova, to get that one set lead. A little bit of session in the

scoreline. Not under quite so much pressure. And the coach, who was one

of her best friends, off the court, through those tricky times when she

was Wimbledon champion, she relied on him.

These are the statistics. Kvitova was able to get her first serve

percentage to 66%. That was just towards the end of the second set.

Next points for Kvitova, one from one. Normally she is more than that

but Safarova has been keeping the ball so deepen penetrating, not

allowing Petra to get near the court. She is one half dozen

tournaments since her day of days here in 2011. Wimbledon champion,

Petra Kvitova, U.S. Open champion, Tracy Austin, it's something you

have to carry around with you for life. Absolutely. Most of us

thought, when she won Wimbledon in 2011, she would've won plenty more

Grand Slams by now this type of game. Certainly got the weapons. And

the former champion is ahead. She starts the second set.

I just wonder whether we will see Kvitova play much more freely. She

seemed a little tight in that first set. I think, with the expectations

of playing someone ranked so much lower than her, a fellow countryman,

a good friend, practice partner... With that first set and her belt,

now she can play with more freedom. That under her belt.

Safarova has been a top 50 player for the last four years. 20

Wimbledon ranked 23rd in the world. She is 15 of six finals on tour but

nothing like this. I think it's worth mentioning

again, this is her ninth Wimbledon, and the best she'd ever done before

was the third round back in 2007, so this is a big challenge for

Safarova. What you remember of your two

Wimbledon semifinals? Your first one, 1979 against Martina. Do you

tend to hold much about in your mind? How much do you think about

it? The one with Martina was so difficult because her game was

tailor-made to the surface, the left-handed serve and volley. I

remember more of the Evonne Goolagong match. I felt it had more

of a chance in that one on this surface, I should say. Well, she's

experiencing memories she will have for ever. Hopefully happy ones.

One of the keys to the way she has played this fortnight, played this

year really, have been the quality of the ball striking off both sides,

the right and the left. I was talking to her coach on the

women's tour, who knows both of these players very well, having

looked after Ana Ivanovic, and one thing which struck him, looking for

differences, it's the quality of the thing which struck him, looking for

ball striking on both a forehand on the background from Safarova these

days. That, however, was a close run thing

from the other side of the net. Yes, I agree with that. Safarova was

always known for being a left-handed server, opening the court with it,

but always trying to control it with a forehand but the backhand, she's

much more solid now. That was one of those shots where

all Safarova could do was throw her head back in disbelief. Two break

points. Talking of Safarova and her drawer

leading up to the semifinals, Kvitova have a third-round clash

against another former champion Venus Williams and in the second

such was two points away from defeat, so a very tight match.

Kvitova has talked about that match as being crucial for her confidence.

She said she felt it was the best grasscourt tennis she has played

since with Wimbledon champion here in 2011. Back to deuce.

No grass in that brown patch. The ball is going to move through it

even faster and stay lower. She has got the break right at the

start of the second set. We talked a little bit about Petra

Kvitova's mental resolve, whether she would loosen up a bit. What's

played a part in sorting her head it is that man, her mental coach, and

he has done a job to settle her down and convinced her she belongs here.

As the prize money has gone up just about every year, players have been

able to afford adding to the entourage. Every five years we seem

to see another member of the entourage and I think is also worth

it, because the margins are so small between the top players, between

wins and losses. Their friendship has been

temporarily suspended for the duration of the semifinal, I think

it's fair to say. There was real intent in that one.

When talk about how tough it is to play a friend, the only relationship

that would be even tougher, playing your sister. Venus and Serena have

had to do that's only times over the years. Talk about blocking the other

person out of your mind. -- so many times. That is exquisite.

The timing! She's adding to her collection of returns in the service

game. That was another. Excellent serve from Kvitova because

usually she likes that one up key. -- up the tea. She has done a good

job of mixing her serves up. This is a velvet lined box of

service returns. Just a quick split step, a slight shoulder turn, and

moves forward. Short backswing. It's so important for Kvitova to

hold here and get 3-0. A nice cushion in the scoreline.

Bacall confirmed by the umpire. -- the call.

Once again, it has a right old scrapbook Kvitova comes through. You

were talking about the direction of Kvitova's service, where she chooses

to put them. We have a graphic illustration of exactly what he's

doing at the moment. Likes to serve up the middle the best. She's also

been doing a nice job, to the Safarova backhand so Safarova

reverie dashing really having to guess. Look at the wide one here.

She loves that one. She opens the court and if she can get it short

enough in the service box, her opponent has to be so far outside

the Ali Bubba court is wide open the second shot. It's a devil of an

angle. It helps that Kvitova is six foot tall.

Safarova has played so well. She needs to get back to work on here.

She is one break down. Safarova is doing a very good job in

keeping Kvitova off-balance. Not good enough from the scoreline. But

better-than-expected. That is the adjustment that you need

to make. Awkward bounce on the grass. And the feet need to keep

moving, you need even better footwork on this surface.

If we talk about that little step, that little shuffle. To make sure

you are exactly in the right position on this surface. It is

worthwhile spending some time looking at their feet and movement.

You can hear it as well, that scuffling on the turf.

That split step happens one fraction of the second before your opponent

hits the ball and that needs to happen on every single shot, except

for the server. You need to spring to the right and left.

Time is running out. You feel the need for Safarova to do something

special. I am very impressed with her we turn

today. Hard and deep up the middle. -- her we turn. -- her return.

Nobody minds the screaming. It is a light shriek whenever they hit the

ball, people are not so happy with that.

Deep breath. Again, Kvitova was late on that forehand.

And that one was angled at the body of Safarova. Very important from

Kvitova, right at her body. That is the cardinal sin, you must find

somewhere to get it back in play. Keep applying pressure.

Safarova has only seen two different break points today. And has only

broken one time in the first set. As hard as she tried, Safarova could

not hold that quick enough. And that, you think, might we are very

big hold, having to fend off that the point. She moves within a couple

of games to the final. On the hottest day of the day -- of the

year, I am not sure how much Petra Kvitova is suffering from asthma,

Carol told me there is a very high pollen count. You can guarantee that

somewhere in her bag will be some lotions and potions. That does

occasionally a factor, but not so much today. -- effect her. I'm not

sure the size of the bag you would need to keep those in! And Colin

Firth. And the chairman's wife on his right hand side. Impossible to

beat. That little patch of green. All eyes are focused on it at the

moment. One person who is left, she was in the box for Lucie Safarova,

her doubles partner. No doubt in her mind that the game

from Kvitova is definitely elevating this second set, she does feel a lot

less pressure, and Safarova is not playing quite as consistently and

with as much penetration. You are absolutely right. It was

actually the woman who had been here before who seemed to be wound up in

chains and the woman who was experiencing that for the very first

time, but that has turned round. You would think the

has been serving, and that You would think the

Safarova's father, these would be match points.

The sky does not even look real. The reality of the situation for Kvitova

could not be brighter. Here she is, serving for another trip to the

final. There is no doubt that this is a

favourite Grand Slam Justin Gimelstob, she has been so

consistent here, she has reached at least the quarterfinals for the

fifth consecutive year. No question, her favourite court.

It has been all right on the way to Wimbledon for Kvitova, but so often,

this place just does bring out the best in her. It does inspire the

That long look at her coach. best and she has been inspired.

And the that had been suspended for 80 minutes has been renamed. -- the

friendship. Petra Kvitova takes place once again in the Wimbledon

final. -- takes place. She is having a fabulous tournament, the first

final of the year for her. And really starting to come into play,

and that is a wonderful reaction from the fans for Lucie Safarova,

the tournament of her life, her first time on Centre Court. And she

did a brilliant job, particularly in that first set. She handled the

situation beautifully. There was a point in the tie-break when you

thought that Safarova was going to do it but in hindsight, if she was

in the final, she really had to win that first set because right at the

start of the second set, it was a very different Petra Kvitova we were

watching, she was relaxed, she almost reaffirmed that this was her

court. This is where she blossoms. Nice to see such a very big smile on

her face. Very difficult situation today, playing such a good friend,

somebody who have known for so long, they played at the same club in the

Czech Republic. Team members as well. She did seem more and nervous

in the match were on her, but she did handle it well. -- and the

expectations in the match. They will be back here on Saturday afternoon.

That was her point. And this is her moment. And she was into the

Wimbledon final once again. She will have a few words... Congratulations,

back in the final at Wimbledon, how does it feel? Great, definitely. It

was a very tough match, mentally. She is a good friend of mine. We

know each other very well. I knew that she could play her best and she

did, actually. I am just happy that I won this. You did look in complete

command in the second set? Yes, from the beginning of the second set,

since winning the tie-break, and she was serving for the first time, but

I just kept it going. We have spoken earlier about the fact that being

the champion coming back, it has been difficult, but you are now

going for the title again. How excited are you? It is great. Just

the emotion from this match but to go to the final, and I will try my

best out there. I know the feeling when you hold the trophy. I want to

win my second title. We wish you the best of luck. Well done.

SUE BARKER: So, that was a wonderful performance, that first set

tie-break was crucial, she then took command of the match and she is due

to the final of Wimbledon once again. The light from her camp. And

delight from two very good friends but rivals today. But Petra Kvitova

is through to the final and she will be back on Saturday. The first

semifinal has been completed, there will be that short break before the

players come for the second but we have plenty to entertain you. The

first set did look so good and competitive. It went away from her?

It fell apart, she handed forehand and she was one set up to him that

approach down the line and she missed that, that reminded me of

yesterday. With Stan Wawrinka. Those crucial moments are so important and

we saw that from Lucie Safarova in the past and a number of times this

year, she has almost taken at the top player. Petra Kvitova has so

much more experience in this situation and you could see that in

the second set when she faced that break point and she have that second

serve, for Lucie Safarova to get back, and she missed that. Those

margins are so small in these matches and in every match, but that

is where those top payers can elevate. I was talking about that

serve with Petra Kvitova and how that might dominate. Particularly,

in the end, it did. We have some examples. This is such a weapon?

Absolutely, for the most part, it goes to the forehand of Lucie

Safarova. But that has such a very nice swing on it, around the outside

of the ball, on the left-hand side, and it swings away from her

opponent, even if they can get a hold of that, it is not a terrific

return. But the second serve, Lucie Safarova, I was really impressed

with that return. Standing so close to the baseline, hitting the ball

well out in front. Great connection. Lucie Safarova, I am sure she is

tremendously disappointed, but she played well, but at 27, there is

maybe more there. This will give confidence moving forward. Petra

Kvitova, she got loose in the second set and once that first set was

under her belt, it felt like she had more time. I am always worried about

Petra Kvitova because she did look tight in that first set, but she

then relaxes. She must get over those nerves. That is why she has

that guy for that psychological advantage? She needs the biggest

coach at the moment, David, he has done all of his job. When she did

win here in 2011, she barely one matches for the next four months. At

the end of 2011, she won the Championships but she was not used

to all of those expectations and pressure and with those strokes,

heading so hard and flat, there is very little margin for error. She is

a little bit late and tight, she does back away from the ball little

bit and the ball will spray, predict an on the forehand, that is why we

can see so much fluctuation, when she is dictating and controlling,

her opponent is really reacting to her but at the same time, around the

corner, there might be a very different Petra Kvitova coming

along. That is the part of her game that she does need to improve and

she did get to the top, she has been number two, she is one match away

from being number one, leading in that match and she let that go. That

has been the difficult part. Petra Kvitova is through to the final on

Saturday and will face either Eugenie Bouchard or Simona Halep.

Andy Murray might be out but we do have a home-grown grand slam

champion. She is 22 years old, she has a brittle bone disease but this

year, she became the first British woman to win the wheelchair title,

she won doubles in Australia and woman to win the wheelchair title,

also at the French Open. We shall acquaint ourselves with this rising

star. They named me Jordan after Michael Jordan. Growing up, I was a

very big fan of Rafa Nadal but that was because I fancied him. I hate

the travelling, I like landing! You have to support Arsenal. I like to

play quite aggressive. I grew up in a very nice area, my father was a

former Paralympian, he had bronze on the track in 1984 and teacher -- he

retired and he took up wheelchair tennis as a hobby and when I was

three months old, my dad was burping me and he leaned forward and I broke

my theme. And that was it. They diagnosed me. My mother said I broke

my leg 26 times. It was tough because I could not go to sleep --

sleepovers or birthday parties and I was always breaking. My mother had

to watch me because I could climb over things come onto my father's

whinger. The primary schools would not take me because I was disabled.

They wanted me to go to a very special school and my mother did not

want me to so she did battle to get me in and I finally got in and it

happened, it was a very nice cool. High school was different, it was

quite tough. I was going through major surgery on my legs. I had both

of my legs in plaster, for a very long time, and the kids were not

very nice. But I had tennis. It was only when I left school that I was

able to walk unaided, I went to the prom and was not allowed to wear

high heels! As a child, I was always daddy's. He just has a special bond

with me, he knew that this pain was excruciating, he took me to

training, he trained me with the forehand and backhand and he is

pretty cool. As he got older, he did not seem to get older, he looks

exactly the same as I remember from earliest moments. I never really had

a role model. Because I have always lived up to my dad. Whenever I

reached 13, those dreaded teenage years, I was rebelling against dad.

I think it was me winning the national is at 14 that made me

realise, I thought I could be good at this. -- nationals. London 2012,

that has to be my proudest moment. I won the bronze medal. Nothing will

ever beat that. This year, I'm going for all the Grand Slams. It is

always nice to see I have won all four of them consecutively. That is

a different scale to everything else because of the emotion I felt

whenever I won bronze, nothing will ever compare to that. I have to win

throughout the year. Nothing will ever compare to winning the medal at

Mayo Olympic Games. Unless I win the gold medal at real! -- Rio. The

wheelchair tennis gets underway tomorrow and if you want to get

involved with tennis, visit the website. Get inspired. All the

details are there. And Sam Smith has joined us. That was a wonderful

story, she wants to win all four Grand Slams. She plays very well?

Great character, and I did not hear her name too much until I was in

Paris if you mix a girl and she was talking about winning in Australia

and profile is going up and her personality has a lot to do with

that. Wheelchair tennis has moved on. You have played against

wheelchair tennis players? In ten years, the lightness of the

wheelchairs can improve and the grip and they can manoeuvre, they have

the same group as Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer. Really incredible

athletes. And that upper body strength. They really enjoy

travelling around the world and I have so much respect for everything

they do. We wish her well in her quest for the Wimbledon title. We

have certainly been inspired by many of the commentary team and tennis

players who have been taking part in this challenge. Watch this,

everybody. This is Clare Balding. I will have a very work attempt at

this. Not for lack of trying, just technique. -- a very poor attempt.

The hassles have not gone well. Here we go. -- reef personals. --

rehearsals. I can do that! I am out of breath! Get set, go!

40? That was bad. One more try. I am not going to get better than that.

90! Andy Murray, keep practising! Tim Henman says he has had more

reaction from people on this challenge and either the commentary

or even his tennis. He tops leaderboard from Murray, Rafa Nadal

and Mark Petchey. What a performance! Lot of fun. If you are

a very young tennis player starting off, particularly as a female, you

don't often use your feet that way. It is great to stand at the back of

the court and practice your keepy-uppy. We don't often go around

kicking footballs. I would be like Clare Balding. You don't do that.

When I was getting older, one could say, start doing that! Get

coordinated with your feet. Very important. And throwing? Throwing

doesn't come naturally to us. We have footballs in the warm up, and

we had to throw footballs back and forth to get used to the motion. You

will see lots of players playing each service box, playing football

back and forth and playing a game to each other because it's so good. I

can see you've done this often. Not in the shoes escalation

May Day could take Tim Henman honour. We have asked this request

because we want to see Mark Petchey one more time just to embarrass

them. That's about as good as it's going

to get. I don't think is ever going to live that down. He can never go

back to Essex ever again. No cameras will be near him,. I have a

chickened out totally for sure. Not long before our second semifinal but

what has been fascinating is the new stars would have come through the

tournament, not just at Wimbledon but all through the tour. We have

been gauging reaction from the very top of the game about this new

generation of stars. The current women's game, we've seen some great

young stars potential stars of the future coming through. Like Bouchard

and Halep. Do you think there was a changing of the guard? Or the last

couple of years, we've had a mix of rising stars and established stars

and what we're seeing now are a few of these rising stars coming through

and sustaining their play and knocking off some of the established

stars which has been great for fans. We've had a very exciting,

dramatic, great quality tennis from the fans in 2014. There's a totally

different vibe this year in women's tennis and it's good because we've

been waiting for these young players to come through and a lot of players

are from different countries which helps to grow the sport globally. Do

you feel the quality of tennis is increasing or a different type of

player coming through? They are better. Every generation gets

better. They wanted. These young people are great. Great people. They

are going to make women's tennis shine for the next eight years. Each

generation dials it up. I think we are seeing that when you watch

Bouchard play and they are adapting. Bouchard is much closer, taking the

ball much earlier. We've seen players hanging back for the last

couple of years. Townsend mixes it up. I think it's great, the variety,

which is good for the fans. It's still good to see the older ones

dealing with the younger ones coming up but I must tell you, I have been

there. I have been coming here for 54 years and it's always harder on

the younger ones. They take a stand. You just have to love the

competition. It is so competitive and that's why I love to watch. No

one was better competitive and Billie Jean King. Also Stacey

Alistair, head of the WTA. Exciting times for women's tennis. It feels

like this generation believes they are on their way to the top.

Absolutely, Serena Williams and stole the ball in the world. And Li

Na, she won. Maria Sharapova, 27. Eugenie Bouchard is making waves.

Halep. Simona Halep was 32, and Bouchard was 66

Halep. Simona Halep was 32, and been so consistent, the most wins of

everybody in Grand Slam matches this year and then you add to that

Madison Keys, who won Eastbourne. A massive forehand. Didn't do well

here but she has been on the tour, making a big noise for the last

year. You can really see the future getting bright for women's ten. You

mentioned the names Bouchard and Halep. They are two the next

generation of champions. That is what are looking forward to.

Eugenie Bouchard, the 20-year-old on the tour up against Simona Halep,

the number three seed, a player who has been banking well in the last 18

months. Let's hear from her. It is an amazing match for me. I

played well, I came back really well. In the beginning, she served

really strong, and I was a little bit lost on court, but then I came

back and I found my confidence again. I just felt that I can win

that match. Because I have more confidence in

myself, it's easier to play on every surface full on a clay court, I

played well in the French Open, so now I'm really happy I could make

the semifinals again. I like it on grass because the balls come very

fast. It is my style to play close to the baseline and finish the point

of very fast. For sure, I will do everything I can to

of very fast. For sure, I will do expect a very tough match. A lot of

people are saying it's the showcase for the next generation of ladies,

going head-to-head with Bouchard out there. What do you think about? I

think she will be on the top five soon. She is a great player, younger

than me. I expect it will be a fight, I think. Still, I'm really

happy I can play against her. We have new names, so that's good. I

wanted to play with Maria Sharapova regained but, still, I'm happy to

play with Eugenie Bouchard. I have confidence in myself I can win that

match. I have got to enjoy my first semifinals here at Wimbledon and

just to be happy on court. My thanks to Tracy and Samer Fulford I'm now

joined by the commentary team for this match, John McEnroe into

Davenport. It looks like the dream matchup. I think Bouchard is a

little bit more comfortable on the grass, but Halep had a good-looking

drawer and I think because of that, her confidence has grown. These are

two up and comers. Simona reminds me of Justine Henin. A bit of work to

do. Bouchard is following in the footsteps of Maria Sharapova. She is

a better match player but Bouchard moves batter and has youth on her

side. She has a great chance to win this. She doesn't look intimidated

by the occasion. She's had two Grand Slam semifinal for the liberties

loving it. That's what you can't teach. She wants the big matches, to

be on the show court, to play the best, and she will have learned from

the previous two Grand Slam semis, the Australian, the French, and

looks at herself as a player who should win this tournament this

year, and she wants it more than anybody else. Simona Halep, she's

getting better and better as she goes through the match. Some

extenuating circumstances, I believe, but she has been wearing

that strap the whole time. It doesn't seem to be an issue.

Bouchard will have to have the wheels big-time and see the ball

early and react. Otherwise, she will be on her heels little bit, so

absolutely shows she is learning quickly. She is a tremendous talent

and it's nice to see someone of her height doing as well she is doing.

Very few unforced errors. You have to work hard to beat her. You do.

She works well defensively and offensively. What I love about her

game is she not afraid to move in a few steps and take a few chances.

We've seen from other players who like to play defence and that's why

she's done well on the grass so far. She's trying to add that more into

her game, being more offensive, and she's only played one player in the

top 20. A bit of a good draw for Halep so far. We've heard from

Simona so let's hear from Eugenie. When you think of tennis history,

you think of Wimbledon. I love the feel, the grass. I love playing in

all white. I love all the traditions. It's my favourite

tournament of the year, and I think it's the most prestigious stop that

we have on the calendar. It's been a remarkable year for you,

hasn't it? It's been a good year, I think. I'm always proud of my

results, but never satisfied, so I lost in the semis of two slams this

year and I always want to go further, one step further, so that's

always the goal. I'm always working every day to try to achieve that.

Are you surprised yourself what you have done? No, I'm not surprised. I

have put a lot hard work. Hours and hours on the court and in the gym.

It's been a long time in the making, not an overnight thing. It's

definitely not surprising and it's a bit more expected to me. I have this

in the back of my mind, with all the hard work and belief in myself, I

believe I can achieve good things. So people at your age would get so

far and then there are so other distractions. Why have you achieved

what you have achieved? I've always been driven. Whether it's my tennis

or homework, I want to be the best. I've had discipline from a young age

and it's important in tennis to give the motivation going, and I really

want this. I want to win a Grand Slam one day. And try to be as good

as I can be in tennis, and iced -- I enjoy it as well. The semifinal?

What are your thoughts? Simona is playing well, third in the world for

good reasons I'm expecting a good battle for the body changes

direction well on the court from going to step in, play my game and

we will see what happens. You get the feeling that watches got to do.

She can dictate this match. What is in the water in Canada? We've got

some work to do in America. Bouchard is talking as if she's going to be

number one in the world. It's going to pay off in the long run, but

Eugenie is 20 and looks even younger. It will pay off when I get

to my age, believe me. They are doing something right up north. Bob

Brett has been the guy who has been in Canada four years working with

the Canadian federation, so now he has done the work over there so we

have got him back over here. He knows what is talking about. This

certainly does. She had a great Circle hits ball so hard. Similar to

Kvitova comment that first match, she is a more aggressive player.

Kvitova comment that first match, match is more in

Kvitova comment that first match, and she takes the ball early. Every

Kvitova comment that first match, single return in the baseline, she

will look to do that again against Halep who doesn't have the biggest

of serves. She likes to dictate with a forehand. Can she be consistent

enough? That'll be the determining factor. The conditions favour

Bouchard right now. The ball will move quicker. It will give Halep

less time to react. It will be interesting to see if she can handle

Bouchard's pace. Although it's warm at the moment, there are some gusts

of wind which could have an impact as well. Bouchard, watching him the

semifinal of the French Open, she handles the big occasions well.

She's very mature by the way she talks. She is ready for this. Two

years ago, she won the juniors. Last, I was watching a on Court

number 18 and she more or less threw in the towel, so she's learned a lot

in a short period of time and become a better player. Here they are,

ready and waiting. Bouchard has been the semifinals of the Australian and

French, so not as strange situation for her. Lindsay, it was at a big

moment for not only here but for Romanian tennis. Such a great moment

and she competed so hard in one manner best played women's Grand

Slam finals I've seen for quite some time but I'm so pleased with how she

has backed it up here. She could've said it's her favourite surface, but

is a fighter, but she has a huge heart but she plays for almost

everyone in Romania as well. Her manager won the French Open back in

the 70s. She said it caused such a big story in Romania and here they

come for the second semifinal. When you look at Bouchard, what

impresses me is how early she takes the ball, she almost had said inside

the baseline and that the real talent.

the baseline and that the real You can't teach that. That's one of

the reasons why people expect her to in multiple majors. I like the half

an hour break, though. That's a good thing, giving the players at that

time frame as to when they are going to get on the court. You can go out,

by some merchandise, if you're in the crowd. We get to talk even more.

I'm not sure people are happy about that. At least we can introduce the

players because this is a new generation and it's exciting for

women's tennis. It is, and it's fitting they come out here to a

packed crowd. It takes a welcome the atmosphere to get going, but this

was the Match Of The Day on the women's side. This is the future of

women's ten is. Everyone should enjoy it. She looks so relaxed,

doesn't she? You can't tell that she's just come out. You can't teach

people to handle a big occasions. I played team tennis last year against

13, and she said she was on the sideline and said I want to see best

serve and I said, "oh God, I'm in trouble! " She wanted the best, and

there was not much about left. She was impressive close and I think

people will like what they see if they haven't seen a lot of their

already. It shows how athletic women's ten is has become now. You

have to be a great player and a great athlete. These girls personify

that. Thank you. You can head off to the commentary box. Before we joined

the commentators, Sam Smith is take a look. A gig component of Eugenie

Bouchard Madiba success is their ability to take time away from her

opponents. The most obvious has been on the return of serve where she has

taken first and second serves pretty much from inside the baseline.

That's very, very rare in women's tennis. By way of comparison, her

opponent today Simona Halep is standing far further back to receive

first serves and second serves. Here is Eugenie returning a first serve.

She is half a metre inside, rushing the server on the first ball against

Angelique Kerber. The second serve, look where she is standing. There's

no time to recover after her serve for Angelique Kerber. She cuts off

the angle and look at the sort of return she gets. Angelique Kerber

can't deal with it off her very best serve. Simona Halep brings a

particular strengths to the semifinal, as well, and one of those

is a backhand down the line, which has been devastating. Right-handers

have been court time and time again down the backhand line. She uses the

backhand cross to pull an opponent out of court and then opens up the

line time and time again. Here, she's having to defend a little. The

line is open there it goes. Another great strength is her movement. She

is one of the best movers in women's tennis. She is almost like a female

Novak Djokovic, very tough to get Novak Djokovic, very tough to get

the ball past. Look at those little quick steps. She is so light on her

feet. She is everywhere. And that is going to be a problem for Eugenie

Bouchard in the semifinals today. This really has all the ingredients

of being one of the matches of the tournament and I'm looking forward

to it. Before the warm up, this happened a short time ago over on

Court Number One. We saw our TB at the challenge and look at bad

stepper neck. I think he will be on the leaderboard and that was on

Court Number One. So well done to him but we are now ready for the

lady semifinals. They will meet Kvitova in the final. It's time to

join the commentators. Euro to yes, what a huge day for

Romanian and Canadian tennis. Simona Halep, the first Romanian

Romanian and Canadian tennis. Simona get to the semifinals. Ilia Nastase

was a finalist back in 1972. Eugenie Bouchard has yet to drop a set in

the tournament. A much tougher route and longer, as well. Five hours, 58

the tournament. A much tougher route minutes for Simona Halep. John and

Lindsay, of course, memories of your first semifinals for you. John, you

whether junior French champion. You qualified and took Jimmy Connors to

four sets. Also in Brazil. I was shaking when I played Jimmy Connors

in the semifinals. That's why I was so impressed, just to break away for

a second. He was comfortable, not stressed,

believed he was going to win. This is a great match and potentially,

you can see how close it was. Bouchard up a break in the final set

before succumbing. I like her chances. On this quick court, the

occasion as big as it gets. These two young ladies can't ask for

anything more at this time. Couldn't possibly ask for a better voice to

call the school than this man. The voice. From France. You were talking

about how Bouchard was taking the return but the big returns, it's

similar to how you played, Lindsey. You played a qualifier in your first

semifinal here at Wimbledon. That's right. Even though it was my first

Wimbledon semifinal, I was expected to win so a lot of pressure in that

circumstance. For these two, they now have 11 Grand Slam semifinals

under their belt and both of them, it's a new occasion. I would think

the nerves are equal out there. Halep got through the French last

month and for Bouchard, she still looking for her first Grand Slam

semifinal win. Bouchard's draw was more difficult. In the men, we saw

when Murray played, it was too easy for him. Federer, also suffering

early in that match perhaps lucky would be the wrong word, because

he's arguably the best player who ever lived but Stan Wawrinka was not

he's arguably the best player who feeling right because in the second

half was being outplayed, so this'll be interesting to see how Halep

steps out on the court, because even when she played Sabine Lisicki, not

long into that match, she completely lost whatever chances she believed

she had. It went away in a heartbeat. And that's not going to

happen with Bouchard. We have talked in the last few years about younger

women being one-dimensional. Plan a is pretty much how Bouchard plays.

Whereas, Halep us only is pretty much how Bouchard plays.

to play. Yes, we'll Halep try to play more offensive tennis against

Bouchard to take a play out of her hands? The first few rounds, it will

be Halep defending in trying to get back to neutral because Bouchard

takes the ball early on her serve and it's a great matchup. A lot of

excitement about the semifinal. Can you imagine back home, their

respective homes? Montr?al. Halep won the spin of a coin and

chose to receive. Good start. Five first serves for

Bouchard. I think Halep's serve will be key to this match, how aggressive

Bouchard can be. Doesn't have Eugenie's height.

So many coaches talk about one point at a time. It's all about

So many coaches talk about one point at a time for Bouchard and she has

been working on that very hard. Both these players have come out

with their first serves. That is key on grass. It's very tough to defend

against a very good return when you are hitting a lot of second serves.

very few of those. Three in the last round. Otherwise, just two doubles

in the last three matches and one in her opening round.

Nice to get your opening service game and your belt. Even getting

that first game on the scoreboard helps to get some of the nerves out,

but especially if you can establish your service game early on.

I'm not sure if that returned was planned but it worked out perfectly

for Halep. You can see already with Eugenie

Bouchard, just how low she can head the ball, despite how tall she is.

Have you ever seen anybody leaning into shots as much before? Serena

Williams, at best. And Lindsay. -- at her best.

If there is one negative thing about Eugenie Bouchard, she has a tendency

to pull off the backhand before she has made contact with the ball.

It just feels like there is a lot of nerves are there, when they set...

Halep, her father was a footballer. And she has inherited his legs. They

need to move the way you have said, Eugenie Bouchard, that is father.

But the early return from Bouchard is extraordinary? It is one of the

biggest weapons we have seen at Wimbledon this year. The way that

she can make contact with her return. A lot of pressure was taken

off her because Eugenie Bouchard made only one out of six serves.

This is a totally different situation to return. Not too often

she can hit returns behind the baseline. Look at her going after

the attack. She will be inside that second serve. What has impressed me

is the first served. And with that return, she has a very clear mindset

with what she wants to do. That certainly was a very tight game.

That was a bit of a gift for Simona Halep to get that very bright. --

early break. You said that she reminds you of

Justine Henin. She also reminds me of Kim Clijsters. The same as her

father, he also played for all. -- football.

from, with the sun. That is why both of them are missing so many.

Struggling with their first. He is breathing pretty heavily,

also. That was a great return. Looking to

get that break right back. The left ankle. She is in trouble.

That is not a very good sign. Clearly, she did look like she

turned over on it. -- turn. It has been taped up. That shot has become

very prevalent in our sport. Two hands, you often push off into it.

You do not bank on something that happening, it seemed like she went

with it pretty well. Concern from the nearest and dearest. This is a

huge occasion. And so early on, 12 minutes. She had to pull out of

Holland with a back injury. You minutes. She had to pull out of

she is OK. At the she gets treatment, when she comes back out,

if she can put any weight on that foot? The first thing they should do

is whatever they can legally give in terms of painkillers, because that

will take 30 terms of painkillers, because that

that before you start with tape. But you would be surprised how much tape

can help. In basketball, in the NBA, it is the rule that they must tape.

They are coming down so often. I can see Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer,

and Serena Williams, she does tape before every match. It is her right

ankle, and most players, an enormous number do this, especially with that

heavy step on the grass on the outside leg. How many slips did last

year because of those little steps? I would not take the chance. Players

can feel more secure with that. There was only so much you can turn

when you have a good tape job. Some players will have that for the

duration of their career. Which I am sure is what she is thinking right

now! Why did it -- wide I not tape my left ankle? -- wide date. -- why

did. It is tough to get into the mindset of somebody who is still

100% fit. Someone who is extremely aggressive, Eugenie Bouchard. She is

thinking, should I change anything? Probably not but it is hard not to

look at what you are up against and think, why should I take as big of a

chance if I do not have to. You can play in the same position and play

it safe. You do not have to go as close to the line. That would be my

suggestion if I was her coach. He has got Saviano all over his heart

and his watch. It is mentally tough, this is early in the match. What is

going to happen whenever I start adding weight onto this? Can I still

slide into the shots? Can I injure this even more? This is not an easy

position for either player? What a great job that these trainers do.

They call them primary health care. They get trained and there is timing

and it cannot be too tight, to stop circulating. They only have three

minutes to treat. You should see them practising in the training

room! They have the stop watch. Getting that timing. Certain players

have their own trainer with them. So that does become an issue because

that is not permitted under the rules of the sport. We will soon

find out what the effect of that will be.

This is exactly what you do not want to do if you are Eugenie Bouchard.

Easier said than done. This has changed the vibe in the

stadium. There is no obvious limp. No, still

getting used to managing whatever pain she is in. She does not look

comfortable coming out. But nothing too worrying. She has not had to

run, yet. That would be the shot I would go

after, if I was Eugenie Bouchard. Pull her weight to the backhand.

Good recovery, she has got her focus back. That is a perfect example of

what Lindsay said about dealing with that pain. She got 0-30. And she had

a pretty good look at the serve. If she had better concentration, she

would not have missed that return. And that started to take some

pressure off. Followed by that good first served. That is what is very

hard to do, she cannot help but think about what is going on.

Definitely, 30% of her focus has come away from the match. She landed

in that same position on the court. She did not spring into the ball.

She was afraid to do that. That is where Eugenie Bouchard should take

this advantage. I think she is going to get more comfortable moving.

Well played. In a way, she might have to become more aggressive? That

is it, it forces some players to go for big shots, knowing they cannot

run down seven shots. That might serve Simona Halep very well in this

match. She is one of the best in going from

that defensive position, return, to taking over and winning the point.

And that was Bouchard. She was wrong-footed.

Trying to break down that Halep forehand. But getting unlucky,

losing her balance. There is very little of any grass

left behind that baseline. It is hard to get your footing. Excellent

return, again. We can see why she is number three

in the world, she is trying to force Bouchard to head that awkward shot.

She would have been left -- better off letting that one bounce.

Halep is trying so hard to get back square. And the return is coming

onto her fast. That is a good effort, stronghold.

-- strong hold. She does get some solid pop or not serve. Do not let

Bouchard unload, she really does go after her returns on a regular

basis. Nice to see their does not seem to be any after-effect from

that injury. Bouchard looking down at the court.

She feels that she slept. To do that and from there is very risky. -- go

that day. -- big. It feels like she has a much bigger serve, but it is

only to mph quicker. She has been more effective in this match. -- two

miles per hour. Again, it is that forehand that

Eugenie Bouchard has tried to attack, rather than the backhand of

Simona Halep. The backhand of Halep is so smooth and reliable, her

forehand is not quite so much. Again, running to the left. The

other end, Simona Halep very aware of that movement to that wider ball.

That is absolutely right, which is why this will set things up, it

could force this young lady to make a decision, do I really want to put

all of my weight onto that left foot? Is ready to handle that?

Instead, it was one-handed, that shot was maybe not the time to get

both hands onto the racquet. But that is certainly going to be an

issue. She is hanging tough, she has got new balls. Both players are

clearly feeling the moment for different reasons. Little

convocations without injury to the ankle, but it seems like she is

going to be all right. -- complications with that injury. The

star of Hunger Games. And Colin Firth, also.

She has to portray and act, Simona Halep. But she is fine. She is doing

a very good job of it. That was nice and it -- anticipation

from Bouchard. She let that ball get behind her. And the amount of

applause after that, the fans are pretty much behind Eugenie Bouchard.

She has been winning fans everywhere. And a cuddly toy, also.

In Melbourne. Such a difference whenever you miss

your first served. It is very important for Simona Halep to get

that first serve percentage high. She is not only aggressive, but she

does make a lot of returns. That was the hardest serve that

Halep had had. -- hit. Well done. Simona Halep has not had a lot of

time on this match but that was one occasion when she did.

The wind affected that all. She could have taken one or two steps

closer. That was a very poor effort. She will be severely disappointed if

she loses this game. She made up for that, there! She is

going for these break points on the backhand, always so confident.

She is quick between the points, Simona Halep.

That is one of those rare occasions that the return not going in, I

would like to see her pulling that to the middle of the court, you can

still go after it and hit the ball very hard. Three seconds under the

allotted time. That is a very big hole. Still

nervous out there. She has not tested Halep enough with the type of

shots that Lindsay was alluding to. Full back, just a little bit, she

can move side to side. Hit the short angles.

The first ball that she has hit by pushing off that left foot. Even

though she missed that, that might be a very good sign for Halep.

Something has tickled the audience? Why are we the only ones not to say

that? -- see that. not a very good drop shot, perhaps

not moving at 100%, but perhaps between 80 or 90%. She could not get

as much on it as she wanted. Some big hitting therefrom

Bouchard. More of a green light at 40-0, but that is the style she

wants to play. She was low over the net, it was very hard, but a margin

from the sidelines. Halep in the first 12 minutes, it was like she

had a heavy tackle. It is a question of being able to run it off,

hopefully. That is the biggest problem, there are no substitutes in

tennis. You have to do everything on your own. Her coach keeps reminding

her, it does not talk tactics, it is one shot at a time, the focus of

footwork, setup and preparation on each shot. I am not sure what

exactly he is saying, but he has done an excellent job, no question

about that. She is a great talent and I think he sensed mentally how

tough she is, that is what it really comes down to, she wants it more

than anyone out there, it seems. Halep serving to stay in the opening

set at 4-5. O, close. It is a really smart shout. It was from an awkward

position. -- shot. She is able to come up with the right shot at the

right moment, it was in. A low ball with not much on it and that would

have given her time. Very well done. The former champion in the Royal

box. She covered a lot of ground, but

slipped again going up to the forehand side. It is definitely an

issue out there for these two ladies who covered the court very well. --

cover. Halep has got more on her second

serve then you would think. A good example there, 97. She has gritted

her teeth, give her credit for hanging tough.

In her fourth round, Halep only lost nine points. She did not offer a

break point. She let Halep off the hook there.

That was a ball you did not want in this. I am surprised she missed it.

The tension, her first time here, both of them here for the first

time, you can feel it. Did you both feel more nervous when it was

Wimbledon compared to the other Wimbledon compared to the other

majors? Yes. But I was pretty nervous at the other ones as well. I

grew up in New York. Any Grand Slam semifinal shook me to my core! Keep

the feet moving, that has not happened in the last two points.

She has slowed down again, moving that way, Halep. Brilliant return.

So unusual for Halep to miss those shots. She is normally so precise.

APPLAUSE. You talked about Halep having athletic legs stop the same

holds true for Bouchard who uses her legs well. She is more dependable.

You can use that power, take some stress of other parts of your body.

You can use that power, take some -- off. A bit of a late challenge,

it would appear. It does not matter. Brockley questioning the timing of

that if Halep had already missed her shot -- Bouchard.

The crowd does not know what of this right now, because a lot

seems to have happened, mainly the injury, but you can really sense the

tension right now, how big this part of the match is, the end of the

first set. This has been huge. Does that then relax if you have lost it?

We do not know the full answer to this, because how injured is Halep?

The good news is that she does not have to go to the best of five. She

can see the finish line sooner. If she were to lose this, how deflated

would it be, how much would her mind tell her that the ankle hurts more?

What a boost it would be if she could pull out the first set. That

would be rather amazing. You feeling that there is a lot more at stake

for her rather than Bouchard at the moment. Bouchard seems to be a bit

off in her return games so far. That is one of the strengths of the

Canadian's game. Right now Simona Halep is winning a higher percentage

of points with her second serve. Once Bouchard locks in the radar

onto the second serve return, it will be harder for Halep to Hynde on

in the service games. -- to hang on. There is what she needed, push back

with her left foot. She could not do it. Excellent return off that second

serve set up this advantage for Bouchard.

Some good pace there, the harder serve she had chanced for the

tie-break. That is beautiful, best part of the

march by far. -- match. She will feel awfully good about getting out

of that game. Halep has not played a tie-break, Bouchard has played just

the one and she won it. Not many of the backs of the seats

being used. I think Halep thought the serve was

in. Can you challenge your own serve? I was thinking the same

thing, not after you miss your back out, that is for sure! -- backhand.

That was great defence that time from Bouchard.

Challenged by Halep, she thought it was wide. Just give her a fairer

serve if it was in. That was out, we will not know the answer -- fairer.

Good challenge. -- fair. Always tricky getting the ball is

down to a certain end and I think someone has been taken on well in

the crowd. It is a very warm day. There was an incident in Eastbourne

the week before Wimbledon and it held up play for 15 minutes. The

gentleman has spotted it and because lots of people are standing up, the

best thing to do is halt the match. You would hope that whatever has

happened, the person is OK. A very awkward time to stop the match. I

cannot see what is happening. I know many of you were very concerned

about the gentleman in Eastbourne, he was OK. Many of you were phoning

in and sending messages. That ended happily. The players at Eastbourne

were taken off the court for a 15 minute delay in the end. Let us hope

it is related to the sun or dehydration, something like that. It

is all happening in this match! What is next? A tough time for these

players. To sit down in the tie-break...

It is an exacting score, 1-1, the scorer -- the focus you have to

keep, I think... If this goes on for much longer, the players would be

better to move back inside and get away from this. It might help them,

put it into perspective. That is what the players said in Eastbourne.

How lucky you are to be out in that court, playing in a Wimbledon

semifinal. Both of them are feeling the stress, no question about that,

it is a huge occasion. What is concerning, whoever is not feeling

well, they are still there, they are not able to walk away. It is over 80

degrees and that is in the shade, it could be over 90 degrees on Centre

Court in the full glare of the sun. SUE BARKER: We hope all will be well

on Centre Court. The ambulance is there. We will take this opportunity

to say after the tennis finishes here on Sunday, it is golf all the

way on the BBC. Next week we have the women's British Open. It starts

on Thursday. On BBC Two, it will start at one p.m.. 1pm on Thursday,

then following that, we will be start at one p.m.. 1pm on Thursday,

from Liverpool for the Open Championship.

Thomson puts the finishing touch on the play-off. Would you believe

that? He has done it. So, it was a quick serve to the

backhand of Bouchard and a return into the net. The first point on the

restart. The lady has been helped away from Centre Court. 4-2 to

Halep. Lucky this time. That is very

lucky. I think Halep would have got into beforehand and the court would

have been open. That appeared to be the only way to win the point. What

a break for the Canadian? Smart play from Bouchard to go

behind Halep, who has been affected by that ankle injury. She is not

moving quite as fast as we are used to seeing.

APPLAUSE. Challenged by Halep. This all turned on that court. She will

be down a couple of set points, that was bad luck.

All or nothing from Simona Halep. Better returns, better from Bouchard

on the second serve. Better defending from Halep. It is still

set point. She has got it! It has taken one

hour, with two interruptions, but Bouchard wins the opening set, 7-6.

What a set! Not the best tennis from the pair of them. The match is heavy

in terms of the expectation and with the drama as well. What is almost

more amber bowl, is the fact that you have seen them fight through

adversary, particularly from Halep -- impressive. She has shown a lot

of character. You would not think they were human if they did not have

nerves in a match like this. The heat is an issue, it is hard to keep

your composure and keep your thoughts clear. We expected it to be

close and it definitely has been. Last year, Andy Murray does not know

how he got through that final game! When you are at that nervous and

carrying a bit of a niggle and there are injuries, but this one shot at a

time, how difficult is it to achieve that? Do you have to take a

time-out? How do you go about the process? You have to restart the

match now if you are Simona Halep, she is two sets away from a

Wimbledon final and that is how she has to approach it, especially at

the start of the second set. She needs to get momentum going and get

a lead. That point at 4-2 in the breaker, that was huge. All the

moment then went to the Canadian. -- momentum. It could be hard for her

to keep that intensity as high, but she needs to do it. She needs to get

some easy service games. Harder. That hit from Halep. She is

hitting the ball with authority. It could benefit her, the ball staying

low, she is not that tall, she can use her legs to get the strength.

She cannot go for too big a shot, it is a hard shot to pull off over the

higher part of the net. She needs to be aware of the chants she is

taking. -- chants. -- chance. APPLAUSE. A good game. It was a

really good game for a couple of reasons, won, she won it easily and

then she started hitting through the ball and the ball was really moving

through the court well. She is a great match player. She is great at

solving puzzles. If you talk about the last year, how well she has

solving puzzles. If you talk about done, it has been remarkable. She

solving puzzles. If you talk about said that a switch flicked in Rome

last year and she This is some of the movement we were

expecting throughout the match from Halep. Credit to Bouchard, she is

not afraid to move forward and put balls away and take those swing

volleys out of the air. If Halep wants to turn this around, she has

to be a bit more offensive, it is not totally natural for her, but for

so much of that first game, she had to take more chances.

Beforehand has been better than previously in the course of this

match. -- her forehand. She is finding range and trying to hit it

with more authority. That looked wide, she is going to

challenge. She hit a lob earlier in the game. APPLAUSE

Forget about serve and volley. You feel like you take the pressure off.

I think Bouchard has only volleyed once in the tournament. Still

pristine, the service lines. Federer talk about that, it is tricky to

move. - talked about. APPLAUSE Tricky to move on the baseline with

all of that dirt and dust. If she had pushed it, hit it harder,

she could really have gone after Bouchard. Pushed off the net. She

will be wishing she had done something different there.

Where did that come from? What happened there, what caused her to

hit that shot as poorly as she did? That is when you are thinking about

the previous couple of points. Exactly, she started with a drop

shot she doesn't go after. Two more break points.

APPLAUSE It died a little in the wind perhaps

but again wonderful defenceman Bouchard. She is showing everyone

she's not just an offensive player, as John said she is a great athlete

as well. Maybe not as natural a move as Halep but she anticipates well,

pushes off. A strong first step. APPLAUSE

How costly is that? It makes you good back to the ankle. There have

been a couple of gruelling points. Lots of running with the shorter

ball she had to come up to. As it aggravated the ankle? I don't think

so, I think it is losing the first set tie-break. She has tried to keep

the intensity high, she had a good look at a few boards. You mentioned

a few times already, I being told to stay in the moment, one shot at a

time. -- if you ball smack. It is hard to do it, especially when you

have just blown a couple. -- a few balls. Thinking about the short ball

she should have gone over, and in the next shot it hit the line, she

seemed shocked. She had time to do a lot with that, she threw in a double

fault. Suddenly you are disgusted with yourself and you cannot get out

of the game. And you find yourself a set and a break down. She will have

to find something soon. She took Sharapova in the French, having lost

the first. She was very much the underdog in the semifinal against

Sharapova, much more of a favourite in this match. Bouchard 2-1 with the

break. APPLAUSE

These two have just about the same amount of unforced errors. Bouchard

goes for so much more, and some more unforced errors. She has to get be

more offensive shots going or cut down on those errors.

APPLAUSE A good example of being aggressive

than paying a high percentage shot. -- but playing. Forcing Bouchard

into some awkward positions. Hoping her level drops a little bit.

APPLAUSE That is where the first serve is

key, it keeps Eugenie Bouchard ahead in the point. Dictating play.

APPLAUSE Comfortable, extends lead.

Talking about excellent preparation there, she really lined this up, her

balance is perfect. A great way to end that game.

Wow. I mind ankle hurts more. After the first

set she didn't win it, it is a lot further to the finish line for

Halep. -- her mind. Brilliant. APPLAUSE

It needs to be. Bouchard is playing better and better.

We saw her push off her left that common this is mind over matter. --

foot. She has defined another gear mentally. Bouchard is trying not to

let her. -- to find. Smothering her right now.

Nice. The challenge coming, I didn't see it, there was the chair in the

way. APPLAUSE

Down to two challenges. I can feel a big... Coming out of John 's pocket.

I don't know why he chose to do it at that time, but at any rate, this

is crucial, for the double break. APPLAUSE

Halep is fading. Bouchard is shining. Halep 's big hope now is

that Bouchard becomes overwhelmed by the moment, or nerves. Halep 's

level has dropped so far off her high

level has dropped so far off her play. Combine that with an opponent

in Bouchard who is very eager, very hungry, and plays a great grasscourt

game. She says from a very early age she has been so unbelievably

driven. We tend to spend a lot of time in Britain, and you guys as

well in the States, with your worst performance here for 100 years! The

money, and all of that sort of thing. But Bouchard comes from a

good background in terms of that sense, it is all about the

individual. Money, sure, makes things available, but it has to come

from you. Think about the two greatest players of this generation,

Nadal and Federer. It's not like they came from this horrible

situation. Nadal, a summer resort in Majorca. Roger growing up in

Switzerland. Upper middle-class families. You are right, Eugenie

Bouchard has got that champion, you can see a champion in the making. It

could be this year, it will be a shock if she uses this match. From a

set, 4-1. The likelihood is she will be out there a whole lot longer.

Kvitova is going to be knowing who she will play very shortly. Bouchard

has only played Kvitova once, last year, back home. She lost three and

two. Looking ahead, Kvitova is one of the

few players that can take the play out of Bouchard 's hand. With the

strength of her shots. Something Halep hasn't been able to do, she

hasn't been able to hit through the court. She hasn't been able to do

what she needed to do in this match so far. APPLAUSE

APPLAUSE That was wonderful.

This is the scrambling we were expecting from Halep through the

match. There, really showing off her biggest weapon, perfect speed. --

her foot speed. Her mother and brother getting very

excited. For Bouchard. Finishing touches though, they can

be the toughest. Foundations built. APPLAUSE

This has got the adrenaline pumping, though further past couple of Serbs,

among the fastest of the match. -- over the past couple of serves.

And a deer. She found some nerves there, that's for sure. -- oh dear.

APPLAUSE A great response of the short ball.

Serving the tournament at 1-10. I would like to see what her heart

rate is now. To get to the Wimbledon final. APPLAUSE

A game away. I feel bad for Halep now. Early in the match, she

sprained her ankle, and she relies so much on her speed and defence. It

is harsh out that at times. No mercy. -- out there.

On top of that she really had a good shot to win the tie break. She could

have got a 5-2 lead. It doesn't seem like it is meant to have been her

day. Another day, a bit of fatigue may be left over from the long six

weeks of tennis from the French Open. Through here at Wimbledon. It

seems to all had come to a head here in this second set. Hasn't she

played three days in a row? Yes. Halep? She has been busy this week.

Four even? A better back and there. Saturday,

Tuesday, and Wednesday. -- backhand. Three days in a row. Winning the

opening set would have been a great painkiller. That is true,

absolutely. Unfortunately for her, it has done the opposite.

APPLAUSE Two points to make the final at

Wimbledon. Somebody was calling out, she

stopped. I cannot hear what he is saying. Someone is screaming. I

cannot do that. I would feel, if I was Halep... She doesn't want to be

out there as it is. I haven't seen it. I would hate for this to matter.

It doesn't make sense. I don't know what happened there but it was

weird. Still much point. -- two match point.

APPLAUSE Deuce.

APPLAUSE Made it.

APPLAUSE Back to where we started a few

moments ago. Being challenged. The ball was

called in. This gives Bouchard a couple more

called in. This gives Bouchard a before coming back to play this

point. Brilliant holds. Three match points

saved. The match continues. APPLAUSE Second set by 1-0. You dream about

it as a kid tennis player to be in this position on the Centre Court at

Wimbledon. There is an unbelievable amount of expectation you put on

yourself when you realise you are good enough to handle this situation

like this, good enough to possibly go all the way and win an event like

this. The stress of little things like not knowing when you're going

to play exactly. Someone painting during the tie break. All sorts of

things. Do you have two throw even more stress? You get too much point,

Halep is washing to finish it off. -- you get to match point. Rushing.

She wasn't ready to play, she looked up, it shouldn't have happened, but

it happen. Just another thing. She is clearly ready to return it but

she stops playing. And didn't say anything. That is what the umpire 's

point was, he didn't hear anything and his vision had gone to Halep. I

wish it hadn't happened, I hope it doesn't alter the

wish it hadn't happened, I hope it doesn't alter outcome of this match

as she serves now. Still up two breaks in the set.

APPLAUSE Maybe it will make it tough in the

end. She overcame another obstacle. She is so markedly composed anyway.

After a brief argument with the umpire, she went back to business.

That is close as well. She is going to challenge that. Certainly whether

second look. A potential double fault. Let's see. It is in. That is

a big difference. It is a first serve back. That is the answer to

her question earlier, it gives her the first serve. That was a second

serve she challenged. APPLAUSE

First serve softening the point again. Two more. Final points.

APPLAUSE Advantage Halep. I would have fought

breathing would be difficult now. We were talking about her heart rate.

It must be high enough. Her blood is boiling a lot more now. -- I would

have thought. Lifeline point. APPLAUSE

If she loses her serve here she will be a lot more upset about what

happened in the previous game. Advantage Bouchard. The six match

point. APPLAUSE

That will do it. Two years ago Bouchard was junior Wimbledon

champion. As a senior this is just her six major. She has a chance to

become the senior champion. She still has not dropped a set in the

tournament. So driven, this ambitious young woman. She is in her

first major final. Fantastic efforts by Halep, hampered early on in the

fourth game of the match when she injured her. She gave everything.

She tried, it definitely wasn't our day. This young lady, what a

celebration. Pretty muted. She knows she still has another match to

celebration. Pretty muted. She knows and it doesn't look like she is

satisfied with just a semifinal win. I think it said it all at the end

when he was shaking his head, imagine if she looked up and you can

see your father... Not per day, a lot of things went against her.

Bouchard showed a lot of character in the end. To maintain her

composure beautifully. Number three in the world, what a year she's had.

Her first semifinal here, second in a row after the final at the French.

We will hear an awful lot more of Simona Halep. And this woman,

Eugenie Bouchard. Bouchard stays wide awake to achieve

it. I think we will be during more about her success in the future.

There is going to be a lot of majors coming her way, I suspect. She will

play Petra Kvitova in the final on Saturday.

There are plenty of autograph hunters around. A bit of royalty

with Eugenie Bouchard by Christian name and by looks as well. 7-6, 6-2,

one hour and 32 minutes for Bouchard to make the final. Here she is.

congratulations, through to the final, you said that the ending was

stressful. It was a little bit crazy.

I was happy that I kept my focus. A Wimbledon final, describe your

emotions come. I am excited, I have a day off. I will go for it, I will

probably have my toughest match yet and I am looking forward to the

challenge. This has been an excellent year for you, are you

surprised at how well you have done? I never say I am surprised because I

have put in a lot of hard work and this has been years in the making

and I believe in myself and expect good results and I always want more.

I had a good start to the season and I expect myself to do even better.

You're showing great mental strength, how do you work on that?

It took mental strength to stay focused. I will not give away my

secrets. It is important for me to enjoy being out there and also focus

on how I want to play. Can you enjoy it? Yes, it is tough work, but I

love working hard and I love tough moments and challenges. Petra

Kvitova next, she has said that she will look at DVDs and really plan

for you, what do you say to that? Good! I expect a tough challenge.

She will prepare and I will be prepared. My coach will watch her

and give me tips. I will play my game. I think I can play even better

than I played today. What a lovely occasion for you and all your family

are here. What a great day it will be. It is really cool. I am glad I

have stayed here. I want to give my best effort. Congratulations. Thank

you. She is a breath of fresh air. SUE BARKER: We are enjoying watching

her. She is only 20 years old. She is through to the final and she

might be the Wimbledon champion on Saturday. Her coach is pleased with

the way she finished it off although it was tense, but she is through and

what a final we have in prospect. So, that is how it finished off.

What a match that was, great tennis from Bouchard. Let us get further

reaction. It got a little bit tense towards the end. One guy did not

handle it well. I'm Ilie respect her efforts, it was a weird ending and a

weird match because of what happened earlier with Halep injuring her

ankle and someone in the crowd fainting. That affected things in

the tie-break and that complicated matters. The way that it ended got

weird, it was nice to see Bouchard when it in the end without too much

extra stress. We heard the shout in the crowd. She complained about it.

She did put her hand up and say it. Are you surprised the point was

given away? It was surprising. She did not say anything and he had

turned his attention to the other side of the court. There was some

confusion. It is unbelievable it was on her first match point to get to

the final. The way she recovered says a lot about Bouchard as well

and her ability to stay can -- composed. I have never seen anything

like that on such a big point. It is going to play on your mind and for

someone that young to not let it affect her. She was able to serve it

out. It was not the fault of Halep. If she had lifted her game and

somehow found another gear to get back into the match, all credit to

her, but you would have hate to see a change because of that. I was

surprised with Halep, she did not make Bouchard play those balls. She

was tight, there was a chance she could have turned the set around,

but she made a couple of mistakes. It seemed that Halep ran out of gas

emotionally. She was normally mentally tough but you seem to get

tired. Especially in the second set. I was not sure that she had the same

level of fight. You have watched Bouchard all around the world, is

this the best you have seen? Yes, what is so impressive is how she

handles the situation. She was so driven and so ambitious and she

seems to be on a mission every time she steps the tennis court. She is a

quick learner learner, she did not look fast on the clay and then she

won at Nuremberg and then made the semi-finals of the French Open. We

have seen her continued to grow and I think the women's game is in a

healthy place and is so exciting. The bookies have Petra Kvitova as

the favourite, who is your favourite? I picked Bouchard to win

the tournament. Petra Kvitova is the most difficult opponent for almost

anyone to play on this surface unless Serena Williams brought her

top game. She hits a big ball. She reminds me very much of someone on

my right, very dangerous. Did you pick Bouchard? I did, before the

tournament. I am not changing. I was going to go with Petra Kvitova. Her

game is one of the few that can push Bouchard back. That left serve will

force to make an adjustment. I like how composed Petra Kvitova has been.

She is in a good place and physically. Thank you. Just as

Bouchard left the interview, she was looking at the cameras at Wimbledon

and she was watching herself in slow motion and enjoying the moment and

the reaction from her coach. That was her enjoying her time at

Wimbledon. She is through and she is facing Petra Kvitova who came

through the first of the semi-finals and she came through in straight

sets. The first set went to a tie-break and she won it and then

she won the second set 6-1. Bouchard has not been here before. Petra

Kvitova has. She was celebrating on Centre Court and shortly afterwards,

she spoke to fill. Congratulations. -- Phil. How did you get your mind

set on the job in hand? It was very difficult. I was trying to not think

about it. It was just some player on the other side. I played

aggressively. I think she was a better player in the first set. I

was better in the tie-break and that was the most important thing. In the

second set, when I broke for the first time, I more confident.

Everything was easier for me -- I was more confident. Were you pleased

with the way you finished the match? Definitely. My last service

game was great. I did everything I should have. I have had a difficult

two games. I served well. Is there any point when you're so far ahead

in second set were the reality starts to hit about what you are

about to achieve? When I was 4-1, I was starting to think about it, but

it was there and perhaps emotionally, I feel more confident.

Perhaps it helped me. There you are, in the final, once again and after

that victory, I suppose you know what to go through over the next

couple of days. The first time, everything was new, now you can get

your head into gear more stop I am not sure. I did not know what would

happen in my first time in the final. I did not care about

anything, I did what I had to do and that was it. I came onto the cord

and I was not the first favourite -- I was not the favourite. -- court.

This time, I know what will happen. I know that I will be nervous, but I

am not really sure if that is good to know what will happen. Obviously,

it is a good experience and I hope that will help me in the end. Let me

ask you about the mentality of it. That is something you have been

working on, because there are so many talented players out there, you

are one of them, and in the key moments, a champion is born and it

perhaps comes from the mind rather than the body, what do you think?

Everyone knows how to hit forehand or backhand. When the match is

close, you have to be in that moment and know what you should play and

how you hit it. Of course, with experience, it is coming, but I

think if you are strong, it is helpful. I hope it is helpful that

you have experienced it before and you enjoy the occasion. Well done

today. Thank you. Experience counts for a lot. SUE BARKER: We have a

final to look forward to on Saturday and if you want to enjoy highlights

of the semi-finals, you can tonight, join us at 8pm on BBC Two. Why not

send a question to us on the radio tonight. John McEnroe and then the

Henman are taking the calls. -- Tim Henman. The doubles are playing

catch up. The men's quarterfinals have been in action. Radek Stepanek

and Leander Paes won their match. They are the reigning US Open

champions and having tremendous success here. They are through the

semi-finals. They will play the seeded doubles winners. -- unseeded.

-- Vasek Pospisil and Jack Sock. We are heading back to Centre Court for

what promises to be an entertaining Mixed Doubles max. Jamie Merry is

playing with his partner. -- Jamie Murray. Let us join our

commentators. We have got a fantastic match in

progress with Jamie Murray. He knows all about playing doubles at the

highest level. He is ranked 29th in the world. He is playing with Greg

Rusedski from Australia. -- Casey Dellacqua. She is a former top

player. They are up against an experienced pair, including Horia

Tecau. He is playing with Sania Mirza. She has won 20 doubles

titles. Again, all four players on court this afternoon have vast

amounts of experience stop -- vast amounts of experience. It was breezy

earlier today. It will hopefully have settled down a little bit. I'm

sure once everyone has had an opportunity to get something to eat

and drink, they will be back on Centre Court to support Jamie Murray

in the hope that we will get one brother through to the finals day.

It should be fascinating, this match. I hope so. Four top-notch

doubles players and when you have four players who understand where

they need to be and what they need to do, it can be really exciting.

Jamie Murray will use his great length and quickness to try and

intimidate Sania Mirza. That is a nice positive start.

APPLAUSE. Now, that is a tactic that I do not quite understand. Why would

Sania Mirza stay back? It is a get out clause for Jamie Murray if Horia

Tecau hits a great return stop if she were in a more threatening

position, it could be a volley winner. Good tennis.

There is his mother, she always has a busy fortnight trying to keep up

with everything that is happening with her sons.

What a shot! Wonderful. He has always had a good forehand.

APPLAUSE. In the Mixed Doubles, if you allow a mob over your head, you

lose 50% of your prize money. A quick discussion in terms of worth

the serve will go and Greg Rusedski will do it at the net as a result of

that. -- Casey Dellacqua. That is a mistake there from Jamie

Murray. Some decent returning already from Horia Tecau. On no less

than three separate occasions. Perhaps a little confusion between

Casey Dellacqua and Jamie Murray. He thought his partner would cut in

front of him and take that. What a terrific point. I could not

believe when Casey Dellacqua kept pummelling Horia Tecau at the net!

When she is back on the baseline, pummelling Horia Tecau at the net!

that is as safe play, but she kept attacking and it paid off. --

That is a wonderful return again. Not quite enough on the serve. Horia

Tecau and Sania Mirza are a good pair, well established. They

understand each other's games well. That is a better serve. Just ten

miles an hour or makes all the difference. -- ten miles an hour

more. That is a shame. A gutsy move, very

ambitious. That is his strength, Jamie Murray, he understands

doubles, he understands where to go, how to take advantage of

opportunities, unfortunately, he did not make it.

The lob goes up. Very much the responsibility of the male player.

I was having a look at your record. 60 career titles, seven Grand Slam

's. I was googling for a long time but could not find any Mixed Doubles

titles. I did not play often enough, but I did play once at the U.S. Open

and lost in the final with Martina Navratilova. You lose with her and

you are riddled with shame for the rest of your life! It was the case,

I am afraid. You obviously stuck by that rule of

picking a really good partner. I am not as stupid as I sound!

He is a very experienced player, Horia Tecau, and he is a doubles

specialist. He played in the junior event here at Wimbledon.

Normally most players would try the singles and if they do not have a

lot of success, tend to become a doubles specialist. He decided that

that is what he would concentrate his attention on at an early age.

Some people are better suited to team games. Others are purely

individuals. Horia Tecau please doubles with a

male player and -- plays. Acer per move. That is a great move

and it will send a message to Casey Dellacqua that she needs to hit a

lot of balls down the line -- a great move. She needs to keep Horia

Tecau honest and allow him liberties at the net.

APPLAUSE. I guess it is important to be assertive, but not overly so. You

need to get the balance right. Is that primarily to give the return

something different to think about? Yes, all these formations... The aim

of all of them is merely to throw off the returners rhythm. Distract

them -- distract him or her -- returner's. There it is again. She

thumped the ball. APPLAUSE I was going to say, that was a

spectacular volley. I think he caught a bit of the frame.

You asked why I didn't play more Mixed Doubles. In those last couple

of points, it was a great illustration is to buy. The

successful Mixed Doubles players are the quick ones, Jamie Murray is a

great mix double player because he is so quick at the net and

intimidates players so often, against a woman player, they are not

used to seeing it like that. The Mixed Doubles only happens four

times a year. He is nothing like they would normally encounter in a

women's doubles match. It is off-putting. I was a little more

static. I was pretty good covering my little corner of the court.

But... That wasn't my game, to run all over the net, and intimidates

opponents. He is one of three brothers. Exactly right. He is the

oldest. They all played on the tour. Now it is her turn to serve. No

brakes as yet. -- breaks. A shame. That is the other strength

of a great doubles play, anticipation, knowing where to move

at what time. -- player. Absolutely. A little more formation here.

A quick signal from Tecau, where he wants to serve and where he is going

to move thereafter. APPLAUSE I tell you what, so far the tennis

as being of the highest quality. -- has been.

Very much of the old school, as soon as he hits the return, he comes in

behind it, to join his partner at the net. That is his strength, he is

a great body, he has a bit of a liability on the forehand that he