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June 27, 2005 - A As the final week of Wimbledon gets underway, the top three seeds remain and two mega-stars are gone. Perhaps more amazingly, six Russians—in a sport once dominated by Americans and Aussies—are still left in the draw.

The first week of Wimbledon always produces some shockers and this year was no exception. Out in the first round was French Open champ Justine Henin-Hardenne who lost to an unseeded Greek. Vanished in the third round was No. 4 seed and two-time Wimbledon champ Serena Williams. After struggling in her first two rounds, she lost to 30-year-old Jill Craybas, an American ranked 85 th in the world. The loss meant she just missed a fourth round encounter with her sister, Venus.

So, as the tournament narrows to the final 16 players, all eyes will be on the big guns. The most interesting matchup will pit top-seeded American Lindsay Davenport against Belgium’s Kim Clijsters, seeded No. 15. The two faced off at Roland Garros a month ago, and Clijsters looked as though she was going to win in a romp before Davenport turned on the jets. Despite the loss, Clijsters knows the secret to defeating Davenport—she has won the last eight of their 10 encounters. If the draw holds, the winner of this match is on schedule for a semi-final date against No. 3 seed Amelie Mauresmo.

Meanwhile, Wimbledon’s current title holder, 18-year-old Maria Sharapova, has been on fire at this Wimbledon. In her first three matches, the No. 2 seeded Russian has given up only 11 games. Her grass court streak now stands at 20. She has not lost a match on grass in two years! She will face France’s Nathalie Dechy in the fourth round and will be happy that Serena is gone from her half of the draw. The highest seed remaining in Sharapova’s half is countrywoman Nadia Petrova, seeded No. 8.

The stars of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour will debut at the world class Rexall Centre in Toronto as part of the Rogers Cup August 13–21st. To purchase tickets please call 1-877-2-TENNIS ext. 4333 or visit on-line at <a href="http://tickets.rexallcentre.com/English/tickets.asp" target="_blank">www.rogerscup.com</a>

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