The French to the Rescue

Apparently, Venus Williams didn't get the memo about American tennis being dead. The 23rd-seeded American rolled over world no. 6 Ana Ivanovic in straight sets to reach her fourth sixth Wimbledon final (she's never lost when playing in the finals). And thanks to Marion Bartoli's stunning upset of top seed Justin Henin in the opposing semi, Williams is all but guaranteed her fourth Wimbledon title. Who's Marion Bartoli? She's short, French, plays two-handed off both wings, and while she's both ranked and seeded higher than Williams, she doesn't have any weapons that are going to hurt the American. And with Williams locked in on her forehand, the shot that goes first when she unravels in big matches, tomorrow's ladies' final is a mere formality.

As for the American men, everything was holding form until about an hour ago. Andy Roddick was two sets up on Richard Gasquet and looked like he was about to punch his ticket to a semifinal royal rumble with Roger Federer.  He's since dropped two tiebreakers to the talented Frenchman and is currently mired in a fifth set dogfight. Hopefully Rocket pulls it out because Roddick-Federer on grass would be some major fireworks.

Update--Roddick falls 8-6 in the fifth. Damn you, former world junior champion turned mercurial pro. Gasquet poses no challenge to Federer. Look for Federer-Nadal part two on Sunday.