Champions of 2001: Wimbledon Heats Up

Now it gets interesting. After play ends on Tuesday, there will be four women and eight men remaining in the quest to become Wimbledon Champions of 2001. Among the four women, three are Americans: Jennifer Capriati, Venus Williams, and Lindsay Davenport. Andre Agassi remains the only American man remaining in the tournament, although his number two seed will ensure a favorable draw to the semi-finals.

Perhaps the biggest story of this year's tournament, so far, was the elimination of Pete Sampras in the fourth round by Switzerland's Roger Federer. The grueling five set loss ended Pistol Pete's run of five consecutive Wimbledon championships and left the men's side of the tournament wide open for a new champion. Although Sampras came up short of making even more history at the All England Club, his legend and his legacy are secure and intact.

Meanwhile, on the women's side, Jennifer Capriati will be forced to overcome Justine Henin in the quarterfinals before she can face the winner of Venus Williams and Lindsay Davenport, a rematch of last year's finals, which was one by Venus. After beating Serena Williams early Tuesday, Capriati will be forced to raise her game yet another level if she wishes to continue her miraculous run toward her third grand slam title of the year and a possible Grand Slam for the year. Considering Capriati's past problems with burnout, drugs, and legal entanglements, winning her third grand slam of the year would only add to what is already considered to be the most amazing comeback story in tennis history.