Williams now holds all four majors at the same time – the so-called “Serena Slam” – having also won the US, Australian and French Open titles.
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LONDON: Serena Williams claimed a sixth Wimbledon title and fourth successive grand slam crown by suppressing the spirited attacking instincts of 20th-seeded Spaniard Garbine Muguruza to win Saturday’s final 6-4 6-4.
She was the first woman to represent Spain in a final at the All England Club since Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario in 1996.
Williams, winning her 28th straight Grand Slam match, is now just one major title behind Graf on the Open era list and two behind all-time leader Margaret Court Smith. Would we witness another meltdown here?
Serena Williams is adamant that she is wary of the threat Garbine Muguruza will pose in their showdown in the Wimbledon final.
Williams, who turns 34 next month, replaces Martina Navratilova as the oldest Wimbledon champion in the open era, and the nine-time victor was among several ex- champions watching history made from the Royal Box. These were different circumstances.
“Everything always depends on her – it’s Serena”, said Muguruza, who has defeated top-10 players Caroline Wozniacki and Angelique Kerber, along with 2015 French Open semifinalist Timea Bacsinszky and 2012 Wimbledon runner-up Agnieszka Radwanska on her road to the final.
Her confidence and her daring were sky-high.
Williams scented blood and Muguruza crumbled, a double-fault on set point gift-wrapping the lead to Serena in a set that had been the underdog’s for the taking. She may not win the match but she will give Williams a massive challenge.
Her game has all the capabilities of being in the top 10.
“I want to (congratulate) Serena who is showing us she is world No. 1”, Muguruza said.
Williams and Mugurza face off on Centre Court later today. Muguruza’s powerful serve and ground strokes troubled Williams in the early stages.
It was Williams’ earliest exit from the All England Club in almost a decade.
Williams was broken in the opening game by the 21-year-old Spaniard, who was playing in her first Grand Slam final, and fell behind 4-2.
She closed her eyes and breathed deep during the break. She was up 5-1 in the second set and Muguruza broke Williams twice to make it 5-4, but the American broke her back to win that set, 6-4, and capture her sixth Wimbledon title. “I’m very proud and happy to be here”, said Muguruza.
The ninth game of the second set encapsulated the struggle.
Muguruza revved up her power game to fend off two break points in holding under pressure: but could not repeat that feat in her next service game.
She struck a 10th ace for 30-40 and one more for deuce. She is great on all surfaces, her serve is strong, and her forehand can deliver plenty of winners.
Williams netted a forehand from the baseline and the crowd went wild as the Spaniard lived again.
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The recovery was not to last: Muguruza’s resolve then finally cracked, Williams breaking to love and converting her second championship point.
