Venus in orbit:

Wins third women's Wimbledon singles title

by Dave James

LONDON, Sunday (AFP)

Venus Williams believes it's her destiny to keep winning more Grand Slam titles after she clinched a third Wimbledon crown in an epic final here on Saturday.

The 25-year-old American's 4-6, 7-6 (7/4), 9-7 win over top seed Lindsay Davenport in the longest Wimbledon women's final in history gave her a fifth Grand Slam title in total.

It also marked a dramatic turnaround in her fortunes coming just four weeks after she slumped to an embarrassing third round exit at the French Open to 15-year-old rookie Sesil Karatantcheva.

"I always knew it was my destiny to be in the winners' circle," said Williams who had been without a major title since the 2001 US Open.

"There were times along the way when I didn't make it there. But I felt my destiny was definitely to win big titles, lots of titles."

Saturday's win was her 33rd career triumph and it also took her earnings past the 15 million dollar mark.

But it came after a disappointing year where many people, including her own father Richard, were questioning her desire to keep playing at the top level.

Until her win in Istanbul in May, she had gone a year without a title of any sort and such was her poor form that she started Wimbledon as the 14th seed. "This win has special meaning. I was the 14th seed, I wasn't supposed to win," she said.

Venus, who was champion here in 2000 and 2001 before finishing runner-up to little sister Serena in 2002 and 2003, is adamant that her father's criticisms did not inspire her on Saturday where she had to save a match point.

"I don't think tennis should be the main thing in any player's life. There are many other things that are important - your family, your beliefs, being a good person," she explained. "Sure tennis is what I do. It's all-consuming but at the same time I realise this is just one part of my life and I will move on from this one day.

"To make sure that I have everything in check and that I don't live and die with each win or loss. That's what we were taught."

Venus's next target is the US Open in August where she was champion in 2000 and 2001 and she will head for New York with a new love for the game tempered by realistic expectations.

"The last time I won Wimbledon, I knew I was going to win," she said.

"This time I didn't put that in my head. I didn't think about winning or losing, I thought just about playing the match until the end.

"I'm stepping up to the big points. That's what it's all about, for your opponent to know in their heads that you are going to step up. It makes it tougher for them to know they're going to play against someone who's going to compete well when it counts."