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Sunday, July 8, 2001
Ivanisevic beats Henman to reach Final
Louise Roberts
Gentlemen's Semi-Final: Tim Henman (GBR) v Goran Ivanisevic (CRO)
Ivanisevic defeated Henman 7-5 6-7 (6-8) 0-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-3
Fifth Set (32 min) Ivanisevic won 6-3
The first five games all went to serve, as Henman and Ivanisevic looked more comfortable with their games, although both were still hitting the net more than on Friday, not just from the baseline but also on drop-shots.
With the match on 3-2 in Ivanisevic's favour, and Henman 30-15 ahead on his serve, the game was interrupted for the second time after a rain shower.
When the match resumed at 1pm on Sunday, Henman managed to win his service game and 30-0 up on Ivanisevic's serve looked a fair bet to break the Croatian's serve, but some powerful serving wrapped the game up to maintain Goran's narrow lead at 4-3.
With some impressive returns on Henman's serves, Ivanisevic gets to 40-15 up and two critical break points. However, Henman holds his nerve and pulls the game back to deuce. But then a double fault and a drop shot into the net meant that Ivanisevic took the game and was serving for the match and a place in the Final.
On his service game, Ivanisevic had match point to reach the final at 40-30. However a double fault - his second in the game - let off Henman and took the game to deuce. However, when Ivanisevic served an ace when on his second serve, taking the game to match point.
A wonderful serve by Ivanisevic was returned wide by Henman for Goran to win the game and reach his fourth Wimbledon final.
Fourth Set (46 min) Ivanisevic 7-6 (7-5)
Henman started the set by going to the wrong end to serve. But he was not affected by this and took the first game in under four minutes. At 1-1 a nasty slip by Henman had no effect on the Briton either as he finished the game off with a casual volley to lead 2-1. Rain suspended play on Ivanisevic's serve at 40-30
After play resumed at around 5.30 on Saturday after a lengthly rain-delay, Ivanisevic finished off his game to take the set to 2-2. The next six games then went to serve, although both players looked out of touch after being kept hanging around in the dressing-rooms on a wet and miserable Saturday afternoon.
Surprisingly it was Henman who's service looked better, winning his first three service games of the day without dropping a shot. Ivanisevic in contrast looked vulnerable on his serve, with Henman having a break point on 4-3 which Goran recovered.
With the set tied at 5-5 Henman dropped his first points of the set, with Ivanisevic having two opportunities to take the set. However, Henman recovered from 14-40 down to reach deuce.
In a remarkable rally, Henman looked as though he had the game wrapped up on his advantage point, when Ivanisevic slipped over. But on his knees the Croatian managed to pull off a wonderful shot down the line and bring the game back to deuce.
It was all to no avail though as the Briton held on to his serve to leave Ivanisevic serving to stay in The Championships. The Croat took the game to love, (which included three aces) meaning the set went to 6-6 and to the second tiebreak of the match.
The tiebreak was a tense affair with both players exchaning mini-breaks. With the scores at 6-5 to Ivanisevic, Henman was serving to save the set, but a missed drop-shot meant the Croat won the tiebreak 7-5 and drew the match level at two sets apiece.
Third Set (16 min) Henman 6-0
Rain began to fall as Henman stepped up to serve the first game but he held serve and then quickly took a 40-15 lead over Ivanisevic's serve. A passing shot secured him the break and put him in front 2-0.
After conceding only one point in three games, Henman lead grew to 3-0. A double fault from Ivanisevic gave Henman his second break and quickly increased his lead to 4-0. After 12 minutes of play in the third set, Henman's lead became 5-0.
Henman continued to dominate Ivanisevic and quickly advanced to 40-0 to give him three set points. An ace by Ivanisevic saved one, but another fine lob by Henman gave him the game and set 6-0.
Second Set (48 min) Henman 7-6 (8-6)
Ivanisevic began the second set by serving his sixth and seventh aces to give him a 1-0 lead. Despite some wayward returns, Henman took the advantage on his second deuce and levelled the games at 1-1.
Ivanisevic's big serves continued to hold him in good stead and, combined with some excellent volleys, he comfortably took the lead 2-1 without dropping a point in the third game. Henman's third ace of the match gave him a 40-30 lead and he claimed the fourth game with a drop shot to keep the set even at 2-2.
Once again, the big serving Croatian continued to dominate his service games, claiming his third game in the second set with Henman not winning a point. Henman bounced back in the sixth game, this time not letting Ivanisevic win a point, levelling the set at 3-3. After winning 16 points in a row on his serve, Ivanisevic dropped a point at 15-0 in the seventh game, but still comfortably held serve to lead 4-3.
Two aces by Henman in the eighth game helped him to hold on at 4-4. A backhand passing shot by Henman gave him an early advantage in the following game and with two double faults by Ivanisevic, Henman had an opportunity with two break points. Ivanisevic levelled at deuce and despite another break point, held service to lead 5-4.
Service continued to dominate, with both players holding serve and forcing a tie-break. Henman took the lead for the first time in the tie-break to have a set point at 6-5. Ivanisevic held his first serve, but Henman once again took set point at 7-6 and finished off the set with a winning volley to claim it 7-6 (8-6).
First Set (41 min) Ivanisevic 7-5
The first set went on serve to Ivanisevic, but it was Goran who appeared to be adjusting to Henman's serve early on. At 2-1 Henman went 30-0 down on his service but drew back level to take it to two apiece in 14 minutes.
At 3-3, Ivanisevic went 40-0 ahead but some fine play from Henman and a neat net volley display meant the game went to deuce. However, the game was to go on serve once again as Ivanisevic won his serve.
The 9th game at 4-4 took a mere 69 seconds for Ivanisevic to serve his way into the lead at 5-4. The set went Ivanisevic's way as he made three terrific returns on Henman's serve to win 7-5.
Goran Stretches
©Harry Collins Henman Strain
©Professional Sport
Focused Tim
©Harry Collins Goran Pumps
©Harry Collins
Tim Henman
Goran Ivanisevic
ooooooh 69 :D