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This article was first published 15 years ago

Wimbledon: The Champions' league

Last updated on: July 6, 2009 

Image: Noppawan Lertcheewakarn
Photographs: Reuters

Noppawan Lertcheewakarn of Thailand holds her trophy after defeating Kristina Mladenovic of France in their Girls' Singles finals match on Saturday.

Lertcheewakarn, who had lost the 2008 final to British hope Laura Robson, won 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 on this occasion.

The Thai also won the girls' doubles title partnering Australian Sally Peers at the expense of the French-Croat combine of Kristina Mladenovic and Silvia Njirić in straight sets 6-1, 6-1.

Yet another Russian revolution

Image: Andrey Kuznetsov
Photographs: Reuters

Andrey Kuznetsov of Russia holds his trophy after defeating Jordan Cox of the United States in their Boys' Singles final on Sunday.

Kuznetsov won 4-6, 6-2, 6-2.

"In the beginning, I was very nervous because it's a lot of crowd and this big stadium," the 18-year-old Russian said said.

"But in the second set, I relax a little and I began to play better, then just used my chances."

Mixing it up in style

Image: Mark Knowles and Anna-Lena Groenefeld
Photographs: Reuters

Mark Knowles and Anna-Lena Groenefeld eased to a 7-5, 6-3 victory over India's Leander Paes and Zimbabwe's Cara Black to win the Wimbledon mixed doubles title on Sunday.

Ninth seeds Knowles, of the Bahamas, and Germany's Groenefeld secured their first major triumph as a pairing after breaking 2008 U.S. Open winners and top seeds Paes and Black four times on their way to winning in an hour and 28 minutes.

It was Knowles' fourth major overall while for the German it was the first of any kind.

Double Team

Image: Serena and Venus Williams
Photographs: Reuters

Just hours after battling it out for the Wimbledon singles title on Saturday, the Williams sisters returned to Centre Court united as team mates to retain their doubles crown.

Understandably looking a little tired, the duo took a while to get into full swing but as they powered to a 7-6, 6-4 victory over Australia's Samantha Stosur and Rennae Stubbs they soon proved their rock-solid partnership was still intact.

"There's nothing like winning a title with your sister," 27-year-old Serena said. "It's really a good feeling."

"Definitely," older sibling Venus chipped in with a smile.

The Bryans' finish second best again

Image: Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic
Photographs: Reuters

Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic won their second straight Wimbledon men's doubles title.

They beat top-seeded American twins Bob and Mike Bryan 7-6 (7), 6-7 (3), 7-6 (3), 6-3.

They are the first team to defend the title since Jonas Bjorkman and Todd Woodbridge in 2004.

The Bryans, playing in their fourth Wimbledon final in five years, were hoping to win their second All England Club title having been successful in 2006.

Serena captures third title

Image: Serena Williams
Photographs: Reuters

Serena Williams won her third Wimbledon singles title with a 7-6, 6-2 win over elder sister Venus Williams in the final on Saturday.

It was the 27-year-old American's 11th grand slam singles triumph.

"I feel so amazing. I'm so blessed... I feel like I shouldn't be holding the trophy. I can't believe I'm holding it and Venus isn't," said a beaming Serena as she clutched the large Venus Rosewater dish.

"It's named for Venus and she always wins. It's just like wow, hasn't settled in that I've won yet."

Venus, who had been bidding to become the first woman to win a hat-trick of titles since Steffi Graf in 1993, paid tribute to her sibling.

Federer redefines greatness

Image: Roger Federer
Photographs: Reuters

Roger Federer, whose artistry and courtcraft have redefined the notion of tennis greatness, confirmed his status as the sport's finest player by winning a record 15th major title in an epic Wimbledon final on Sunday.

Federer not only has superior technique, fitness and an indefatigable spirit, qualities that ultimately saw him over the line in that 5-7, 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 16-14 win over Andy Roddick.

The Swiss, who at the age of 27 can win many more grand slam titles, also has a speed of thought and deftness of footwork that combine to give him a decisive advantage on court and can make his victories look easy.

Source: REUTERS
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