Yes, they are three this time. But how could I choose between the WIMBLEDON finalists? Vera, Elena and Horia were three of the important surprises of the tournament, reaching the finals of a Grand Slam for the first time.
Zvonareva reached the final in singles, after defeating Nuria Llagostera Vives (ESP), Andrea Hlavackova (CZE), Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) [15], Jelena Jankovic (SRB) [4], Kim Clijsters (BEL) [8] and Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL). She lost the final against the four-time Wimbledon champion and no.1 in the world, Serena Williams (USA). "I think it's great to be in the final", said Bepa, after her match against Serena. "I think I could have done better today. It's a bit disappointing because it's the final. You don't reach the Wimbledon final every year." Asked if she thinks Serena is beatable, Zvonareva answered: "Yeah, of course she's beatable. She's a human being. She's not a machine. I mean, it's very difficult to beat her. You have to play your best. But, you know, if you do, you can do it." Vera Zvonareva became only the third Russian female player to reach the Wimbledon final in singles, after Olga Morozova (1974) and Maria Sharapova (2004).
And she didn't limit only to the singles competition. She was the runner-up in the ladies' doubles competition too, with her partner, Elena Vesnina. After defeating Koryttseva (UKR)/Kustova (BLR), Chuang (TPE)/Govortsova (BLR) [17], Benesova (CZE)/Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) [12], the Williams sisters (USA) [1] and Dulko (ARG)/Pennetta (ITA) [4], they lost to Vania King (USA) and Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ), another surprise of the tournament.
Horia Tecau wrote a beautiful page in the History book of the Romanian tennis. He is the first Romanian player who reached the final of a Grand Slam tournament, after 31 years. The last success came in 1979, when Virginia Ruzici (ROU) and Ion Tiriac (ROU) were playing the mixed doubles final at Roland Garros against Wendy Turnbull (AUS) and Bob Hewitt (RSA). Tecau and his partner Robert Lindstedt (SWE) have already won two trophies together, at Casablanca, in april and at Eastbourne, just before Wimbledon. Full of courage and hope, Tecau and Lindstedt made a BIG tournament, reaching the final, after defeating Friedl (CZE)/Skoch (CZE), Levine (USA)/Sweeting (USA), Bhupathi (IND)/Mirnyi (BLR) [4], Granollers (ESP)/Robredo (ESP) [11] and Chela (ARG)/Schwank (ARG). They lost the final against Jurgen Melzer (AUT) and Philipp Petzschner (GER). For this amazing result, the Lindstedt/Tecau team is no.9 ATP and moves closer by the ATP World Tour Finals.
I'm extremely happy for Horia, because he's from Romania and he makes our contry proud. We are proud to see that we still have great players, after the big name Ilie Nastase. It was a great tournament for them and I'm really sorry they didn't win, but they still have time. They make a very powerful team and it would be great to see them playing together for a long time, because they prooved they can make incredible matches. Now, I have to say, all my family watched their matches and supported them and we kind of adopted Rob too. :D So, congratulations, we all love you! :-) And of course, Vera was amazing, I'm sorry she couldn't win at least one of the competitions, but being the final is a very important result!
