Sports Thread #1 for 7/2/09: Wimbledon 2009, Ladies Semifinals Live Thread

Photo from NY Times

Expect an all Russian final..........................................Just kidding.

But the break in the first game to Dementieva.

8:21 AM- And the break right back to Serena. Contrary to what Cliff Dreysdale said, both players are hitting hard and don't look nervous.

8:23 AMA hold at love by Serena, real strong hold. Even with the first game break, it seems her serve is here today in the match's incipient stages. 2-1.

8: 26 AMGood hold there from Dementieva at 15. 2-all.

Early trend so far in this match: Not a lot of net play, and that is not a surprise.

8:29 AMHold to Serena at 15......Up 3-2.

8:34 AMAnother strong hold for the world number four to even it at 3-all. Dementieva has always had the pace, but it's about her putting that serve in the box.

8:37 AMSerene will have to play her best to win today, she holds to go up 4-3.

Dementieva with two forgettable points, and now down three break points at 4-3.

Terrific from Dementieva, saves three BP's and back at Deuce. She is playing bold.

8: 43 AMTremendous hold from Dementieva. It's even at 4-all.

I never thought Dementieva would play better than Azarenka, but she is. However, Serena's level hasn't gone down at all.

8: 45 AMSerena with a great hold at love, like that last game didn't even happen for her. 5-4 all, and the pressure back on the Russian.

8:49 AM
This is the best I have ever seen Dementieva serve. 5-all, and she is serving beautifully. She caught Serena the wrong way.

Both players are in a groove.

8:52 AM 6-5 to Serena in this now serving contest. Can Dementieva stay in the set again?

8:56 AM Hold at love, what a great set of tennis. Dementieva needs this more than Serena.

First point to Serena in the tiebreak in a great point.

Two points to Dementieva off of two Serena backhand errors. Now 2-all

3-2 Serena. She hit it right at the Russian, but it was too strong for Dementieva to handle. Now 3-all.

And the mini break to Dementieva to go up 5-3. And now, three set points. A flawless first set for Dementieva?

Double fault, first signs of nervousness there. And the error by Serena to give the first set to Elena Dementieva, 7-6 (4). Wow.
I have never seen Dementieva play better.

2nd set
A major letdown from Dementieva there to start, up 30-0, only to get broken. Can she keep that level of play up?

The level of play has dissipated from both players a little, 3-1 to Serena. And now, a love hold for Dementieva. Now 3-2 Serena in the second.

She's bold today. The break at love to Dementieva to even the score at 3 all. But she can't give this game right back.
Already, 0-30.

And she continues to be bold. Thread continues here: