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Williams, Roddick move into semis
In a match that never lived up to expectations, Serena Williams beat Jennifer Capriati 6-1, 6-1 to advance to the semifinals.
In a match that never lived up to expectations, two-time defending champion Serena Williams beat a listless Jennifer Capriati 6-1, 6-1 in 45 minutes on Wednesday to advance to the Wimbledon semifinals.
Andy Roddick came through a much stiffer test to reach the men's semis, outslugging Sjeng Schalken 7-6 (4), 7-6 (9), 6-3. The second-seeded American, who hasn't lost a set in five matches, served 18 aces and closed out the match with a leaping overhead. "It was a dogfight," Roddick said. "He's doesn't look spectacular, but he's a great player."
Roddick will next meet Croatia's 20-year old Mario Ancic, who upset fifth-seeded Tim Henman 7-6 (5), 6-4, 6-2. Roddick is 3-0 against Ancic, including a three-set win on grass at Queen's Club last month.
"He's playing great, he has a great serve," Roddick said. "I'm expecting a very tough match."
In another men's quarterfinal, defending champion Roger Federer was up 6-1, 5-5 against 2002 champ Lleyton Hewitt when rain interrupted play for the third time. Sebastian Grosjean was due to play Florian Mayer in the other match. It was uncertain if the matches would be completed Wednesday.
Roddick's match featured a compelling 20-point second-set tiebreaker in which he saved three set points, ripped forehand winners, hit a tournament-best 146 mph (235 kph) serve and connected on big second serves.
Roddick, who never lost serve, saved three break points in the first game of the third set. After a second rain delay at 1-1, he got the only service break of the match with a forehand pass to go up 4-2. He served out the match at love, starting with his 18th ace and ending with a soaring smash reminiscent of Pete Sampras during his run of seven Wimbledon titles.
"The power Andy has, the ball's coming at you - you don't have any time to react," the 12th-seeded Schalken said. "That's something very special. He doesn't have a weakness, I think." Williams and Capriati have built one of the best rivalries in women's tennis, but this Centre Court match was completely one-sided. The 13,000-capacity stadium was one-third empty and guests in the Royal Box barely had time to settle in their seats before it was all over.
The most animated point of the match was the last one - with Williams tumbling on a stretch forehand volley that Capriati couldn't reach.
"I was really focused coming out, I knew what I wanted to do," Williams said.
Williams will next face Amelie Mauresmo, who beat Paola Suarez 6-0, 5-7, 6-1 to reach her second Wimbledon semifinal. Suarez had six double faults, 32 unforced errors and only seven winners. Williams has a 6-1 career record against Mauresmo, including a 6-2, 6-1 win in the Wimbledon semifinals two years ago. The top-seeded Williams, who has lost only 17 games in five matches, is closing in on becoming the third woman in 35 years to win three straight titles.
"I've been thinking about that since the start of the tournament," she said.
Williams, who had knee surgery after winning Wimbledon last year, returned to the tour in March after an eight-month layoff. She now seems back to her dominant best.
"It's been a really hard 12 months for me," Williams said. "I'm feeling really good for the first time since I've been back." Ancic, a protege of 2001 champion Goran Ivanisevic, silenced the home crowd by thoroughly outplaying Henman on Centre Court. The win brought an end to Henman's latest bid to become the first British player to win the men's title since Fred Perry in 1936. The 29-year-old Henman has now lost in four quarterfinals and four semifinals.
After a first set with no service breaks, there were three straight breaks early in the second. The momentum swung Ancic's way for good when he broke at love for 4-3. He led the rest of the way, winning five straight games at one stretch and breaking twice in the third set. He served his 10th and 11th aces in the final game and finished with a service winner.
Nicknamed "Super Mario," Ancic first made a name for himself at Wimbledon in 2000 when he upset No. 7 Roger Federer - the current champion - in the first round.
Capriati, a three-time Grand Slam winner who was seeded No. 7, said she had no answer for Williams' relentless game. "She just played too good today," Capriati said. "The early break gave her that extra confidence and she just got on a roll. Today was probably one of the best she's ever played against me." It was the first time in six Grand Slam meetings between Williams and Capriati that the match didn't go three sets. Williams has now beaten Capriati 10 times in 16 matches. Capriati had won the last two, including a three-setter in the French Open quarterfinals a month ago.
"After I won the last two times, she had a vendetta," Capriati said.
The other women's semifinal berths were filled Tuesday, with 1999 champion Lindsay Davenport and 17-year old Russian star Maria Sharapova advancing to the final four from the bottom half of the draw.
