Serena Williams, Simona Halep Cruise into Wimbledon Final

Serena Williams is on course to win her 24th Grand Slam trophy after overpowering Czech Barbora Strycova in two straight sets 6-1 6-2 in the Wimbledon semi-final on Thursday.

The match, which barely lasted one hour, saw Serena at her clinical best, serving well and spraying winners after winners against her opponent.

The American will now meet Romanian Simona Halep in the finals. Halep, a former world number one, also cruised into the final despatching Elina Svotilina 6-1 6-3.

Halep is now the last woman standing between Serena Williams’ achieving her long held ambition of equalling Margaret Court’s Grand Slam title record.

Williams has missed the chance to equal Australian Court’s record on two occasions since returning from giving birth — losing last year’s Wimbledon final and then a bad-tempered defeat in the US Open final.

“It feels good to be in the final again after the year I have had,” said 37-year-old Williams.

“I have just needed matches to feel good and do what I do best and that is play tennis

“I love what I do. I have a great job and I am still pretty good at it. I get a remarkable experience every time.”

Williams produced a dominant performance on Thursday which has not always been the case during the Championships and she said she would not be taking seventh-seeded Halep lightly.

“She’s a tough opponent,” said Williams. “We always have great matches. I look forward to it.”

Strycova was playing her first ever Grand Slams singles semi-final in her 53rd campaign and it lasted just under an hour.

Strycova, who never managed to impose her delightful stroke-filled game on her opponent, at least has the consolation of perhaps winning the women’s doubles.

Halep, who was French Open champion in 2018, will be playing in her fifth Grand Slam final.

“It’s an amazing feeling but I am also excited and nervous. It is one of the best moments of my life,” said Halep.

“The match was not easy, the games were long and went deep.

“I fought hard to win this match and I was strong mentally and physically and had the right tactics.”

Halep, who had knocked out new star, 15-year-old Coco Gauff in the last 16, lost in her previous semi-final appearance at Wimbledon to Eugenie Bouchard in 2014.

However, she said she was a different player now and had taken to grass.

“I have more experience, I don’t give up anymore,” se said. “I plan to be the best version of myself and fight to the end.”

July 11, 2019