Hail Marion!

She was just a 22 year old, simple, French girl. This is going to be the most important match she has played in her entire career. Placed as No. 18 in the world, she has no chance of winning this. She was playing the No. 01 in the world. She was playing it at the temple of tennis. She was playing the World No 01 Justin Henin, in the semi-finals of Ladies' Singles Tennis Championship at Centre Court at Wimbledon. Her name is Marion Bartoli.

Marion Bartoli was doomed from the word go. She came to Centre Court as the under-dog - unknown, lacking a fan base. All those who gathered there were convinced this was not going to take up much time. Probably a 6-0 6-1 victory to Henin, maybe give a couple of more games to Bartoli. For me, she was not very likeable. There was hardly a smile on her face and she had annoying habits. This is my own prejudice. She was always jumping up and down, even to the ball boys and girls. And she had the most unique serve. Stand on her toes, hold the front of the tennis racquet with her left hand (she was right-handed), get the proper grip with her right, crunch up her wrist, take her right arm behind her back in a wide arc and SERVE!

The first set started. It was so obvious that Bartoli was at a loss as to how to handle the world number one. Soon it was 3-0 and Henin was leading. Before long Henin has won the first set, 6-1. It was going to be a no-game for the Belgian who won the French Open couple of months ago.

Yet, when the second set started everything started going haywire. Suddenly, the shy french woman started playing some good shots and Henin started making mistakes. Soon enough it was a bizarre event to see. The world number 01, the confident Henin, was running from one end of the court to the other. And when she wasnt doing that she was running to the net and then back desperately trying to reach the ball. The shots that she was able to return were only returned to right where Bartoli stood, making it not such a tiresome job for Bartoli. Then suddenly Bartoli broke Henin's serve and was one game up. When she won that game, the audience was so quiet, the quietness that can only be the result of shock and awe. They were incapable of believing that someone this young, someone this inexperienced, someone who has only managed to reach the third round in a Grand Slam so far, would actually be getting ahead. Yet, this young girl remained unfazed, her eyes were only for her father. The father who gave up his career as a physician for 3 years, and survived on his savings just so that he can train her and make her dream come true.

The audience sat up in their seats. They wanted a proper look at this girl. She was going all guns at Henin. Henin, in the meantime, would have probably played the worst match of her life. The audience never expected this match to be so enthralling. They expected this match to be a completely one-sided game, over in a matter of an hour and the outcome being that their favourite winning by a big margin. Yet, minute by minute, this is proving to be going down to the wire and not in an expected manner either. Henin was getting tired and playing badly, or more so, Bartoli was playing superbly. Her strokes were precise and fast, placing, magnificant. And she finally won the second set 7-5!!

The shock on the faces of those who had gathered was obvious. It was even obvious in the tone of the commentators. Henin looked out-of-sorts and wide-eyed. I sat up properly in my chair and looked at my mother who gave me an uncertain smile. What was happening? This cannot possibly be happening. Henin was sweet and cute (again my prejudice), and she was the best at this game. She was supposed to win this and go onto win the Wimbledon Cup. That was how it was supposed to be. But I think, although no-one actually voiced it, they wouldnt help the awakening of a sense of pride and respect for the young Marion who was a fighting tigeress behind that calm demeanor, who had the guts to put her foot down and proclaim that if Henin was supposed to win this, she will have to earn it.

Thus began the third set. The shock has weared off a bit and everyone was confident that this was merely a hitch in the world no.01's game. She is going to come back. She had the talent and the experience. It could not have being more far away from the truth. Justine Henin, was destined to lose the set 1-6, thus throwing her out of the competition, and enabling Marion Bartoli to proceed to the Finale of the Ladies Singles!

Everyone stood up for her. For this young girl, who had a dream that needs to come true and a destiny to fulfill. Against all adversity, her determination, her belief in herself and her spirit soared. And many of those who were gathered on that sunny day and many of those who witnessed the match through television rejoiced in this truimph of human spirit. The woman who walked to a place she has never been, with only a handful of fans, walked out with the applause and admiration of all, including mine.

Interviewed just after the match, she commented jokingly on the moment when things started turning around for her. "I saw Pierce Brosnan up on the stands during play of the first set. He is one of my favourite actors. I thought I should at least play good tennis for him!"

Hail to you Marion, not many women would have made James Bond stand up for them!! :)