Venus Williams avoids defeat by Lisa Raymond at Wimbledon
Posted by Aaress Lawless on Jun 29, 2006 | Print |
Watch this tennis match on-demand with Wimbledon LIVE! (Video should be available after 7:00 pm EST today)
Doubles specialist Lisa Raymond played some of her best singles tennis in years today, but it was not enough to upset the defending champion Venus Williams. Raymond had the match on her racquet, but Venus came back and won in three sets 6-7 (4), 5-7, 6-2.
The first two sets of this all-American clash on Court 1 produced some of the best ladies tennis that has been played so far at this year’s Wimbledon. Venus only had 22 unforced errors during the entire match, and although Raymond lost, she only committed 16 errors.
Lisa Raymond, who has won 56 doubles titles on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, dominated the points, and played near-perfect tennis during the first set and most of the second.
Raymond’s early lead was not due to the fact that Venus was not playing well; it was only that the three-time Wimbledon champion could not find her way around the old-fashioned serve, volley, and net game of Raymond which is particularly effective on grass. Although Raymond is only ranked at No. 84 in singles, she is ranked No. 2 in doubles, right behind her partner Samantha Stosur.
Raymond came within two points of winning the match, but Venus stormed back at 3-5 to take the second set 7-5.
Venus stayed in control of the deciding set, dictated all the shots, and easily held to win 6-7 (4), 5-7, 6-2.
She will face twenty-sixth seed Jelena Jankovic in the third round.
If you enjoyed this tennis article, please sign up for a free subscription!
Sorry, comments for this entry are closed at this time.