Sports News: Tennis

Đoković beats Blake, claims bronze

Novak Đoković clinched Serbia's second medal of the day, defeating James Blake in straight sets to claim tennis bronze.

Both men went into today’s match in low spritis having suffered agonizingly tight semi-final defeats yesterday - Đoković to Rafael Nadal, while Blake passed up three match points before bowing out to Fernando Gonzalez.

The Serb took the first set 6-3, while the second set was a much tighter affair, going all the all the way to a tie-break, which Đoković snatched 7-5.

Đoković's bronze medal is Serbia's first ever in Olympic tennis.

Nadal and Gonzalez battle it out for gold in the final tomorrow. Source: B92

Zimonjić and Nestor win Wimbledon doubles

Second seeds Daniel Nestor of Canada and Serbia's Nenad Zimonjić defeated Jonas Bjorkman and Kevin Ullyett 3-1 to win their first Wimbledon doubles title today.

Swede Bjorkman's hopes of lifting a fourth Wimbledon doubles title before retiring at the end of the season fizzled out in the third set, Nestor and Zimonjić getting a break of serve in the fourth game, rescuing a break point in the process.

"Every game and point is tough. You feel like you have to focus really hard because you're playing against one of the best competitors over the years, singles and doubles, Jonas Bjorkman," Nestor told reporters.

Nestor, who was a runner-up at Wimbledon to Bjorkman and Todd Woodbridge in 2002, added the title to his grand slam wins at the Australian, U.S. and French Opens. Zimonjić celebrated winning his first grand slam title having lost in the final at Wimbledon in 2004 and 2006 and at the French Open with Nestor this season.

"Hopefully one day I can achieve what Danny did. Now I think we can enjoy more and go all the way this year and try to finish as number one," added Zimonjić.

Doubles-specialist Bjorkman, 36, is retiring after a 17-year professional career that includes nine grand slam doubles titles and a number one doubles ranking.

Ivanovic beats Safina to win first Slam

Serbia's Ana Ivanovic claimed her maiden Grand Slam title when she beat Russian 13th seed Dinara Safina 6-4 6-3 in the French Open final.

The 20-year-old second seed became the first woman representing Serbia to win a major title.

Last year's finalist Ivanovic, who will become world number one on Monday, was too powerful for Russian Dinara Safina, sealing a straightforward victory after one hour 38 minutes.

"This was amazing. I still didn't believe it could happen," Ivanovic said.

"I think we both played a nervous match, we both had lots of chances and I am just happy I kept my composure at the end."

"Last year's final was a great learning experience for me, so I am just so thrilled."

Safina, who was playing her first grand slam final, added: "It was a great experience, I hope I can come back here next year."
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