Time for Novotna to stop her sobbing

Championing the underdog has been something of a cause cel ebre for the centre court crowd, but today those 13,500 spectators fortunate enough to have seats at the august venue will deviate from tradition and back Jana Novotna to win the women's singles final at Wimbledon.

Natalie Tauziat, the 16th seed, could normally have expected to elicit some sympathy, but history dictates that 29-year-old, Czechborn Novotna should this year finally atone for twice failing in the final of this event. The tears of 1993, sprinkled on the shoulder of the Duchess of Kent, and last year's three-set defeat to Martina Hingis while nursing a stomach injury, ensure a groundswell of support.

Current form suggests that Novotna must beat herself to forfeit this golden opportunity. In eclipsing the raw power of Venus Williams and then displaying the intelligence and physical prowess to outmanoeuvre world number one Hingis, the Czech woman has emphatically proved that she is the outstanding player in the tournament.

While unwilling to demean her opponent, Novotna did concede that she would hardly receive a more gilt-edged chance to win a coveted Grand Slam singles title. Experience, though, has taught her the folly of relaxing in sight of the winning post. In 1993 she led Graf 4-1 in the final set before losing.

Tauziat, born and raised in the Central African Republic of Bangui where she lived until she was eight years of age, has proved on a couple of occasions that she is prepared to fight and shown great character in a couple of comebacks, most notably after losing the first set 6-1 to Nathasa Zvereva in the semi-final.

She will point to the fact that in the head-to-head tussles with Novotna, she has achieved parity, 4-4. It is also salutary to note that she boasts perhaps the most rounded game of all the Czech's previous opponents. Equally accomplished at the baseline or chipping and charging, she should at least challenge Novotna for domination at the net.

That said, there can be little doubt that Novotna is the better exponent of the serve and volley game and that her general mobility and sharpness have been equally impressive. Aside from losing the first three games against Hingis in the semi-final, she has played the big points particularly well and that will be vital today.

One feels that the Czech player only has to keep her composure, remain mentally focussed and resolute to triumph, otherwise it would truly be a crying shame.