Venus Williams Wins Singles Gold in Sydney
S Y D N E Y, Australia, Sept. 27, 2000 -- Even in celebration, Venus Williams isa captivating force on a tennis court.
This time, the jubilant champion thrust her arms skyward, bowedand twirled happily at the net. Then she borrowed an American flagfrom the stands and gave it a wave.
The sellout crowd cheered, and with good reason. Williams beat18-year-old Elena Dementieva 6-2, 6-4 today (Tuesday night ET)to clinch an Olympic gold medal.
The victory extended Williams’ winning streak to 32 matches, andshe became only the second player to win Wimbledon, the U.S. Openand the Olympics in the same year. Steffi Graf accomplished thefeat in 1988.
“I was ready to go out and take it and not just hope somebodygave it to me,” Williams said. “I guess I’ve graduated to adifferent level where I can be like some of the greats.”
Williams will try for her second gold when she and sister Serenaplay in the doubles final Thursday (Wednesday night ET) againstKristie Boogert and Miriam Oremans of the Netherlands.
The Belgian team of Dominique Van Roostand Els Callens won the Olympic bronze medal in women’s doubles, defeating Natasha Zvereva and Olga Barabanschikova of Belarus 4-6, 6-4, 6-1.
Streak Still Alive
Williams is unbeaten since losing at the French Open in earlyJune, and her winning streak is the longest since Martina Hingiswon 37 consecutive matches in 1997. Martina Navratilova set therecord of 74 victories in a row in 1984.
Like other opponents, Dementieva couldn’t cope with Williams’power. In the sixth game, the Russian barely avoided getting hit inthe face by an ace.
“I wasn’t ready for the second serve,” Dementieva said. “It was like a first serve.”
Williams wowed a crowd that included Serena and their mother,U.S. teammate and bronze medalist Monica Seles, coach Billie JeanKing and members of the U.S. swim team.
Even Williams was a bit overwhelmed by the performance. When shereceived her medal, she beamed and covered her face with her hands.
“I felt really emotional,” she said. “You see it on TV. Itwas really great. It was me.”
‘The Woodies’ Are Upset
Monica Seles won the bronze Tuesday. The U.S. team lost a chanceat a singles sweep when defending champion Lindsay Davenportwithdrew because of a foot injury following her first-roundvictory.
“That was tough,” Williams said. “Potentially it could havebeen all three of us standing there in any order.”
Top-seeded Australians Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde —likely playing their last match together and known as “The Woodies” — were upset in the finalof men’s doubles. Sebastien Lareau and Daniel Nestor of Canada wonthe gold with a 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (2) victory.
Arnaud Di Pasquale became the first Frenchman to win a tennismedal since 1924 by beating Roger Federer of Switzerland 7-6 (5),6-7 (7), 6-3 for the bronze today.
Spaniards Alex Corretja and Albert Costa won the bronze in men’sdoubles, beating South Africans David Adams and John-Laffnie deJager 2-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Spaniards Alex Corretja and Albert Costa won the bronze in men’sdoubles, beating South Africans David Adams and John-Laffnie deJager 2-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Strong Serves, Groundstrokes
The 10th-seeded Dementieva, who reached the semifinals at theU.S. Open earlier this month, started well against thesecond-seeded Williams. The Russian won the first game and had apoint to go up 2-1.
Then Williams won 15 of the next 18 points for a 5-1 lead. Theserving inconsistency that plagued her earlier in the tournamentwas gone, and her laser groundstroke winners drew repeated gasps ofappreciation from the crowd. Once, even Dementieva nodded inapproval.
“It was difficult to play against her,” Dementieva said. “Sheplayed very well. She’s very strong.”
Williams wavered after taking a 5-2 lead in the second set,losing her serve for the third time in the set. She double-faultedon the first championship point, but Dementieva then hit a backhandwide to give Williams another victory.