Wimbledon: Venus takes the title

Venus Williams has won the Wimbledon championship after defeating Lindsay Davenport 4-6 7-6(7-4) 9-7 in the longest ever ladies singles final.

The 14th seed fought back from being a match point down in the second set to clinch her third Wimbledon title.

Davenport served for the match at 6-5 in the second but was broken, and led 4-2 and 40-15 in the third.

But Williams continued to fight, while Davenport battled a back strain, and eventually got the break in game 15.

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Williams had been on stunning form during her semi-final clash with 2004 Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova, but took a while to find her form in the final.

Tense second set

Davenport was soon 5-2 ahead and held her nerve to serve out despite losing one of the breaks.

In a tense second set at 5-5 Williams opened with two double-faults before netting a forehand and slipping over on break point.

But she quickly recovered by breaking back to love and then surging through the tie-break.

Breakthrough

In the final set Davenport made the first breakthrough in game six and went on to lead 4-2, 40-15, before Williams came fighting back.

Number one seed Davenport then left the court for treatment on a lower back injury, but soon returned to match point on Williams' serve.

But five games later Williams won game, set and match with a well placed forehand, taking the title for the third time.

Men's decider

Elsewhere in the tournament Andy Roddick powered his way into the men's final with a 6-7 (6-8) 6-2 7-6 (12-10) 7-6 (7-5) win over Thomas Johansson.

He will face reigning champion Roger Federer on Centre Court on Sunday.