A Russian revolution may have threatened to sweep across the All England Club this year, but today the Americans will once again take centre stage on women's final day at Wimbledon.
Venus Williams and Lindsay Davenport, pictured above, are former champions, and both have also tasted defeat at the last hurdle in their quest for the coveted Rosewater dish.
But, perhaps, this year there could be no more fitting finalists.
At just 25, Williams had already been written off as she struggled to recapture her form on return from injury which had seen her dominate the women's game at the turn of the century, including back-to-back Wimbledon titles.
Twelve months ago, Davenport reflected on what looked like her final appearance at this famous venue, bowing out in the semi-finals, feeling that, fast approaching her 30th birthday, her best days were also consigned to the history books.
Yet as they prepare for a re-run of their 2000 final, won by Williams over the defending champion, each woman has shown in these championships that they are anything but a spent force.
Williams put in a vintage performance to beat title holder and No 2 seed Maria Sharapova in straight sets.
Davenport, meanwhile, battled back from a set down to defeat French serve-volley specialist Amelie Mauresmo and reach her second Grand Slam final of 2005, following a return to the top of the world rankings.
The pair are set to team-up for America in the Fed Cup next weekend, and with Davenport leading the head-to-head by 14-12, they are no strangers to each other's game.
Davenport has been enjoying some R & R ahead of the final - watching DVDs of the American TV show Alias, about a college student who leads a double life as a secret agent for the CIA.
Williams has been "staying off her feet", taking some time to reflect on what has got her to a first Grand Slam final since the 2003 Wimbledon final.
