Day of healing for Venus on Centre Court

She took just a moment between the victory and the handshake, a moment strictly for herself. Bending over with clenched fists, Venus Williams celebrated her glorious resurrection.

Through to the Wimbledon final with her 7-6 (2), 6-1 triumph over defending champion Maria Sharapova, Venus deserved that moment. This was a highly significant development in women’s tennis, the return of a champion and a message to everyone on tour.

About a half-hour later on Court 1, Lindsay Davenport faced just enough of a puzzle to have it end without resolution. Just four points from winning, Davenport had to scurry off in a drizzle with a 6-7 (5), 7-6 (4), 5-3 lead over Amelie Mauresmo, who was serving at 15-love. It was 7:30 p.m. and the rain didn’t let up, forcing both players to return this afternoon and join the men’s semifinalists on the program.

Thursday was supposed to be a Centre Court doubleheader, but a four-hour rain delay pushed things well into the afternoon. It was determined that Davenport and Mauresmo would move to Court 1, with Centre left to the heavyweights. Despite the lopsided appearance of the score, Williams and Sharapova did not disappoint.

“It was just great tennis all the way through,” said Sharapova, gracious and even-tempered in defeat. “Maybe I wasn’t at my very best, but that’s because Venus played so well. She just hit some big, big shots. It was probably one of the best matches of her life.”

Through to the Wimbledon final with her 7-6 (2), 6-1 triumph over defending champion Maria Sharapova, Venus deserved that moment. This was a highly significant development in women’s tennis, the return of a champion and a message to everyone on tour.

About a half-hour later on Court 1, Lindsay Davenport faced just enough of a puzzle to have it end without resolution. Just four points from winning, Davenport had to scurry off in a drizzle with a 6-7 (5), 7-6 (4), 5-3 lead over Amelie Mauresmo, who was serving at 15-love. It was 7:30 p.m. and the rain didn’t let up, forcing both players to return this afternoon and join the men’s semifinalists on the program.

Thursday was supposed to be a Centre Court doubleheader, but a four-hour rain delay pushed things well into the afternoon. It was determined that Davenport and Mauresmo would move to Court 1, with Centre left to the heavyweights. Despite the lopsided appearance of the score, Williams and Sharapova did not disappoint.

“It was just great tennis all the way through,” said Sharapova, gracious and even-tempered in defeat. “Maybe I wasn’t at my very best, but that’s because Venus played so well. She just hit some big, big shots. It was probably one of the best matches of her life.”

Shortly after advancing to the Wimbledon final, Venus Williams heard from kid sister Serena.

“She called me to say, ‘Can I have your autograph?’” Venus said with a laugh.

The family needs just one more win for its fifth Wimbledon title.

Venus gleefully hopped on her favorite patch of grass after she defeated defending champion Maria Sharapova 7-6 (2), 6-1 in the semifinals Thursday.

Sharapova admitted Williams deserved to be in the final.

“We played a really good match and it went to the better person,” she said. “I don’t think I played my best tennis but credit to her. She hit a lot of big, deep balls and was serving big.”

Meanwhile Davenport and Mauresmo were due to resume on Court One at 1pm with Davenport leading 6-7 7-6 5-3 with the French player 15-0 up in the ninth game of the final set.

WOMEN

V. Williams def. Sharapova, 7-6 (2), 6-1

Davenport leads Mauresmo, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (4), 5-3 (0-15), suspended, rain*

Today, completion of Davenport-Mauresmo match.

Men’s semifinals

Today

Federer (1), Switzerland, vs. Hewitt (3), Australia

Roddick (3), U.S., vs. Johansson, (12), Sweden

Women’s finals

Saturday

Williams vs. Davenport/Mauresmo winner.