Jana Novotna spoiled Martina Navratilova's bid for a 10th Wimbledon title today, upsetting her 6-4, 6-4 to reach the final for the first time.
Novotna will face two-time defending champion Steffi Graf, who overcame a 1-4 deficit in the first set to score a 7-6 (7-0), 6-3 victory over Conchita Martinez.The 36-year-old Navratilova had not lost a set the entire tournament, but she was completely outplayed by Novotna. The eighth-seeded Czech dictated the play with her sharp serves, including six aces, and precise chip returns and passing shots.
The match, which lasted one hour, 22 minutes, was not as close as the score would indicate.
Novotna covered the court with ease, running down Navratilova's best shots at the baseline and volleying with power and placement. Navratilova, meanwhile, couldn't seem to do anything right.
"The court seemed really slow on her half of the court and really fast on mine," Navratilova said. "I never got going, she made me play every shot ... I was on my heels the whole match. It's the best match I've seen her play."
It was Novotna's first victory over Navratilova in eight matches. It marked a major breakthrough for the 24-year-old Czech, who has long been noted for her talent but rarely produced against the top stars.
"I came into this match at a disadvantage," Novotna said. "Martina has won this tournament nine times, she feels she owns the Centre Court, she feels at home here and I hadn't played a match before on Centre Court. I had so many things to overcome. I did it so well. I just played the perfect match."
"Getting into the final doesn't really mean a lot to me," she said. "What means more is this is the first time I have beaten Martina in my career and I have beaten her on Centre Court and on grass. This is unbelievable."
Navratilova waved to the crowd as she left the court. Asked if she was waving goodbye, she said, "I'll be back. As of now, I'm planning to be here next year."
Despite the loss, Navratilova said she enjoyed the experience.
"I'm just disappointed I wasn't able to raise the level of my game."
Every service game was a struggle for Navratilova. She faced a break point in all but two of her service games, while breaking Novotna only once.
Novotna broke Navratilova three times in the first set. Navratilova, down 1-5, closed to 4-5, but Novotna served out the set in the next game with an ace down the middle.
Novotna took the advantage in the second set when she broke for a 2-1 lead, as Navratilova netted a low backhand volley. Navratilova saved three break points at 3-1, two with netcords, and another at 4-2. But Novotna served out the match at 30, with Navratilova hitting a weak backhand return into the net.
Novotna dropped to her knees and let out a scream, then covered her mouth in disbelief.
In Friday's men's semifinals, top-seeded Pete Sampras plays No. 4 Boris Becker and No. 2 Stefan Edberg faces No. 3 Jim Courier.
It's the first time since 1927, the year seedings were introduced, that the top four men have reached the Wimbledon semifinals. It's the eighth time in the Open era that it's happened at a Grand Slam tournament.
Written off before the tournament, Andre Agassi had something to prove. He lost his title but made his point.
Agassi came in as the No. 8 seed, the lowest of any defending Wimbledon champion. Having played only one match in two months because of a wrist injury, he was given little chance of making a big impact this year.
Yet, Agassi advanced as far as the quarterfinals, where he gave Sampras a battle before succumbing in five sets Wednesday. Along the way, he charmed the crowds and provided plenty of copy for the tabloids.
"I think I proved a lot to the people and to myself," Agassi said after a 6-2, 6-2, 3-6, 3-6, 6-4 loss to Sampras. "Things could have gone a lot differently. I could have gone out early. But I went out and competed well and had my chances."
"I proved to myself that I could take a couple of months off from an injury, practice for a week, and just with my sheer ability and mental discipline give myself a chance to win the tournament. And I felt like I had a chance to win it."