Rich Benvin

Security at Wimbledon was increased Friday after British police defused a bomb in central London. "All around the ground the security has been intensified," Lawn Tennis Association chief executive Roger Draper told BBC Radio. "We are a high-profile event, and the championships take security very seriously," Draper said.

Security at Wimbledon was increased Friday after British police thwarted an apparent car bomb attack in central London. Police discovered a parked car in central London that was packed with gas containers and a large number of nails and a detonator. The attack would have caused "significant injury or loss of life," police said.

It's an annual rite of the British summer: Tim Henman battling in a five-set match on Centre Court. This time, it felt like the end of an era. Playing in his 14th Wimbledon, the 32-year-old Henman fought back from two sets down against Feliciano Lopez but faded in the final set Thursday and lost 7-6 (3), 7-6 (5), 3-6, 2-6, 6-1.

James Blake won, then took on the critics. After advancing to the second round at Wimbledon by beating Igor Andreev of Russia 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 Tuesday, Blake defended the state of American men's tennis after an 0-9 showing in the first round of the French Open. "It was one of those coincidences or bad luck incidents where we had everything go wrong at the French Open," Blake said.

Long touted as the next great American tennis player, Donald Young played the part Sunday by winning the Wimbledon juniors title. The 17-year-old Young beat top-seeded Vladimir Ignatic of Belarus 7-5, 6-1. "If I'd have lost the first set, it would have been a real dogfight to come back and try to win the second because he would have just got even more confident," said Young, who was seeded third.

Serena Williams was more willing to shrug off the unusual ending to her second-round victory at Wimbledon than her father was. Richard Williams thought chair umpire Sandra de Jenken overstepped her authority Wednesday by reminding his daughter's opponent, Alicia Molik of Australia, that a questionable call could be challenged under the replay system making its All England Club debut this year.

Eighth-seeded Andy Murray pulled out of Wimbledon with a right wrist injury Sunday, dealing a blow to British fans who considered him their best chance for a strong showing from a local player. "The doctor has advised me not to play and that I probably need about 10 days to be ready," Murray said. "Unfortunately, I don't think it is going to rain for the next 10 days."

Second-seeded Ivan Ljubicic reached the final of the Ordina Open by defeating Julien Benneteau 7-6 (1), 3-6, 6-4 Friday. Ljubicic could make it three straight wins for Croatia in Saturday's final at the grass-court tournament, a Wimbledon warm-up. Mario Ancic won the last two Ordina Open titles. Ljubicic will play either Peter Wessels of the Netherlands or Antony Dupuis of France for the title.

The route to the women's final at Wimbledon is filled with all sorts of obstacles. Top-seeded Justine Henin, seeking her first Wimbledon title to complete a career Grand Slam, could face two-time champion Serena Williams in the quarterfinals. Three-time winner Venus Williams could face 2004 champion Maria Sharapova in the fourth round and defending champion Amelie Mauresmo in the semifinals.

Ivo Karlovic hit 21 aces, including one at 153 mph, to earn his first Nottingham Open title Saturday with a 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory over Arnaud Clement. The win gives the Croat his first title on grass heading into Wimbledon, which starts Monday. Andy Roddick has the fastest serve on record, 155 mph in 2004.

Venus and Serena Williams are teaming up again. They will play doubles together for the first time since 2003 at Wimbledon, where play begins Monday. "They requested a wild card and they got it," Venus Williams' agent, Carlos Fleming, said by telephone Wednesday. The sisters haven't been doubles partners at any tournament since losing in the round of 16 at the All England Club four years ago.

Roger Federer aims for his fifth straight Wimbledon title, while Justine Henin looks for her first championship at the grass-court Grand Slam. Both were seeded No. 1 on Wednesday. Rafael Nadal, the Wimbledon runner-up last year, was seeded No. 2 ahead of Andy Roddick. The draw will be held Friday for the third major of the year, which begins Monday.

Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia won the the Ordina Open on Saturday for his first grass-court championship. Anna Chakvetadze of Russia captured the women's final of this Wimbledon warmup. The second-seeded Ljubicic beat unseeded Peter Wessels of the Netherlands 7-6 (5), 4-6, 7-6 (4), and the third-seeded Chakvetadze defeated top-seeded Jelena Jankovic of Serbia 7-6 (2), 3-6, 6-3.

Tennis star Guillermo Coria on Wednesday settled his lawsuit against a New Jersey-based vitamin maker he blamed for a positive steroid test that cost him millions in earnings. Terms between Coria and Universal Nutrition, which had denied making tainted pills, were not disclosed. The deal came as the 25-year-old Argentine was to testify on the second day of the trial.

Two-time defending champion Richard Gasquet was upset 6-4, 6-3 Friday by Arnaud Clement in the quarterfinals of the Nottingham Open. Three quarterfinals were played Friday after only one was completed Thursday because of rain. The matches were played indoors Friday because of more rain. The top-seeded Gasquet, who had won his previous 12 matches over three years at the Wimbledon warmup, failed to...