It's not quite the Midas touch propelling Venus Williams way beyond the bookmakers' expectations. After all, King Midas, the champion of ancient Phrygia, had trouble running in his solid gold sneakers.

But you could call it Venus's golden touch as she banged her way into familiar Wimbledon territory yesterday, the semifinals, with a gold-lined weapon. She doesn't suggest that her new wand has that much to do with her rediscovered success, but "it's fun, and for a good cause."