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Germany revels in 'boom boom' Lisicki fever

AFP
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Germany revels in 'boom boom' Lisicki fever
Tennis fans flock around German star Sabine Lisicki. Photo: DPA

Wimbledon finalist Sabine Lisicki has caught the imagination of tennis fans in her homeland as her 6-4, 2-6, 9-7 semi-final win over Agnieszka Radwanska saw her become the first German in 14 years to reach a Grand Slam final.

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"Super Sabine! It was an unbelievable fight, it was great how she kept her calm and nerve against Radwanska, especially after she was 3-0 down in the third set," Steffi Graf, who reached the 1999 Wimbledon final, wrote on Facebook.

"We will all cheer for you in the final and keep our fingers crossed."

Graf, 44, who lost to Lindsay Davenport in the 1999 Wimbledon final, was the last German to win a Grand Slam title when she won the 1996 US Open, but Germany is enjoying having a new tennis star reach a major final.

The headline "Boom-Boom-Bine!", a tribute to the nickname "Boom-Boom-Becker!" given to former German star Boris Becker, has appeared on several newspapers and the 45-year-old is delighted to see his compatriot charm Wimbledon.

"Sabine Lisicki rocks! But you have to do it again, baby," tweeted Becker, a three-time Wimbledon champion, as Lisicki faces France's Marion Bartoli in Saturday's final after Thursday's semi-final win.

Lisicki's Fed Cup team-mate Andrea Petkovic called on Lisicki to become a Wimbledon champion, having reached the 2011 semi-finals and beaten world

number one Serena Williams in the fourth round en route to this year's final in southwest London.

"Wow, Bine! We are all mega proud! Bring the title to Germany," wrote Petkovic.

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