Wimbledon Day 12 - Williams Wins 6th Wimbledon Title

After banishing discussions of “The Serena Slam” for the entire Wimbledon fortnight, Serena Williams can now go a whole month and a half without any of her four major titles coming under threat.



Serena Williams and Garbine Muguruza 



She won her 21^st Grand Slam title under blue skies on Centre Court, defeating 21 year old Spaniard Garbine Muguruza 6-4 6-4. Williams now holds all four of tennis’ major prizes and can add her latest Wimbledon conquest to the titles she currently holds in Australia, France and the US.

It is a momentous achievement the iconic American has done just once before in her glittering career. One thing she hasn’t done is won then all in the same year; the opportunity will come in early September at the next major in New York.

That could turn out to be quite an occasion with Williams now just one major away from Steffi Graf’s open era record of 22. Surpassing that, someone will undoubtedly point out Margret Court’s all time record of 24 though it must be noted that when the Australian won majors in the 60’s and 70’s that some players could not travel to the likes of Melbourne and New York and the game has come leaps and bounds since then.

But if there’s a record to be broken Williams will indisputably have it in her sights. At 33 years of age her combination of power and athleticism mixed with her mental resolve still provides opponents with the ultimate task.

Britain’s Heather Watson came closest to stopping the eventual champion, sister Venus and Maria Sharapova were dispatched in straight sets. Victoria Azarenka proved a fierce threat at the quarter final stage, yet Williams battled past them all in what was arguably the toughest route to the final.

Even Muguruza the 20^th seed in her first major final was far from a push over; the 21 year old Spaniard was fearless and rarely phased by taking on her childhood hero on the biggest stage, however after one hour and 23 minutes it was Williams who claimed the treasured prize.

It could have come 20 minutes earlier as Williams almost let a 5-1 second set lead slip through her grasp due to combination of pressure and an inspired Muguruza comeback, however at 5-4 she broke the Spaniards serve to 0 to earn her 6^th title at the All England Club.

 "There was definitely pressure towards the end," said Williams after the match."Garbine started playing really well and I just had to think to stay out there and work really hard.”

"I am having so much fun out on the court. Every day is a pleasure to be playing and winning Wimbledon."

Muguruza, who had never reached the last four of a major before this tournament, received a standing ovation from the Centre Court crowd during the presentation. Her cheerful demeanour and spirited performances over the past two weeks have helped form a strong rapport with the British crowds and at 21 there is still plenty of time for her to lift the title here.

For now its Serena’s time, although after a troublesome start it wasn’t always as convincing as many first thought. Muguruza broke the American’s ominous serve in the opening game of the match after three uncharacteristic double faults from top seed.

The Spaniard then held serve and even lead 0-30 in in the third game as Williams wavered way below her best. Muguruza’s compact returns down the middle of the court were causing the American problems, however there was always the feeling that if Williams could just pull herself together the match was well in her reach.

Muguruza led 4-2 in the first set and had handled the occasion admirably, yet it is usually the times when Williams is down that her champion’s mentality shines through the brightest. The intensity went up, the first serve began to return and in the blink of an eye she had surged ahead to pitch the first set.

From there things escalated quickly for Muguruza, her forehand went astray and with Williams powering up towards her A-game the Spanish challenger struggled to match her. Both players held serve at the start of the second before two breaks of serve gave Williams a four game buffer at 5-1.

She needed it, as Muguruza came charging back with a combination of aggression and accuracy, yet it all finished in a flash as Williams broke serve to 0 before lifting the famous Venus Rosewater Dish. “The Serena Slam” is now complete; just don’t mention the “Year Grand Slam” unless it follows.