Huge comebacks from the verge of elimination have marked play on day four of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London.
Defending champion Venus Williams of the United States was losing Thursday to compatriot Lisa Raymond, 6-7, 5-2 but won the second set and the match, 7-5, 6-2. Williams next plays Serbia's Jelena Jankovic, a three-set winner over American Vania King (6-2, 4-6, 6-4).
In men's play, French Open champion Rafael Nadal of Spain came back to score a five-set win over American Robert Kendrick (6-7, 3-6, 7-6, 7-5, and 6-4). Nadal takes on former champion Andre Agassi of the United States, who scored a straight-sets win over Andreas Seppi of Italy (6-4, 7-6, 6-4). Men's number 10 seed Fernando Gonzalez of Chile came back from a two-set deficit to beat Russian Marat Safin, (4-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4).
Darkness suspended play with sixth-seeded Lleyton Hewitt of Australia and Hyung-Taik Lee on the verge of a decisive fifth set (6-7,6-2,7-6,6-7). Andy Murray of Britain resumes with a (7-6, 6-4, 6-4) lead over Julien Benneteau of France.
Meanwhile, world number one Amelie Mauresmo of France scored a straight-set win over Australian Samantha Stosur, 6-4, 6-2. The French player takes on another Aussie, Nicole Pratt, who scored a three-set win over Tatiana Golovin of France (2-6, 6-4, 6-4)
Former champion Maria Sharapova of Russia scored an easy win over American Ashley Harkleroad (6-2, 6-2). Sharapova plays American Amy Frazier, who beat Melinda Czink of Hungary (6-2, 6-3).
Women's seventh seed Elena Dementieva of Russia advanced by beating American Meghann Shaughnessy in three sets (5-7, 6-3, 7-5). Eighth-seeded Patty Schynder of Switzerland lost to France's Severine Bremond (4-6, 6-1, 6-4). Former French Open winner Anastasia Myskina of Russia defeated German Martin Muller (6-2, 6-1).
In the men's draw, Novak Djokovic of Serbia defeated 11th-seeded Tommy Robredo of Spain (7-6, 6-2, 6-4). Number-13 seed Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic took five sets to oust Fabrice Santoro of France (6-4, 6-7, 2-6, 7-6, and 6-4).
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.
