By Bill Scott Jul 2, 2005, 23:55 GMT
The former world number 1, seeded a distant 14th after several indifferent seasons, triumphed at the All England Club four years after her 2001 title; she also won the trophy in 2000, following on Davenport's 1999 success.
"I've always felt like a champion in my heart," said the winner. "I always gave my best. I feel great that I've accomplished this. I want to do a lot more in my career."
Davenport needed an injury timeout for a back problem midway through the final set as Williams survived one Davenport championship point on the way to a victory in her fifth Wimbledon final in the last six years.
Williams, at 14th the lowest seed to ever lift the Wimbledon women's crown, saved a match point in the 10th game of the final set after Davenport had missed a chance to serve out in straight sets leading 6-5 in the second.
The two-hour, 45-minute struggle was the longest ever played on the women's side.
"I wasn't able to play my best. I didn't have the form of the quarters and semis. I had to work with what I had today," Williams said. "I spent so much time behind - the only time I was up front was when I won the match."
Williams picked up her 33rd and fifth Slam, after her two Wimbledon wins and U.S. Open honours in 2000 and 2001.
Her extended victory dance at the net was full of emotion.
"I was so excited. I can't help myself: I show it all," she said.
"The match was so tough, in the first set I was down two breaks, in the second set, more breaks. I was finally able to make it happen. I was so excited - you could see that."
Davenport, aged 29, refused to bow in defeat.
"It was great, and it was exhilarating. I felt like I played great. I did everything I wanted to do out there. But when I got really close, I just didn't win the one or two points that would have won the match for me," she said.
"I don't really feel like I have anything to really be like hang my head for or ashamed of. The girl all of a sudden would make like 10 balls and hit winners. ... She just took it away from me every time I got up."
The beaten finalist added: "I'm really disappointed ... when you get that close to winning Wimbledon and it doesn't happen.
"But someone deserves it more than I do, and someone can come up with the shots she was able to come up with at those times."
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