When a reporter asked what she makes of it when others talk about her as one of history’s greatest female athletes, this was the reply: “I prefer the word, one of the greatest “athletes” of all time”. Both U.S. teams won their quarterfinal-round matches Thursday. That was always a dream for me to be one day on the Centre Court and playing the final. This is what she made intend in press conference after her win over Elena Vesnina.
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Defeat ended a 100 per cent record in Wimbledon singles semi-finals for Williams, after eight previous successes. She won so many grand slams.
She’ll face German Angelique Kerber, who beat Venus Williams in the second semifinal, 6-4, 6-4.
Kerber beat the younger Williams sister in the Australian Open final for her first major title.
“It’s just awesome, to beat Venus in the semis”, Kerber said, via The Guardian.
By the time the latecomers took their seats two games later Serena was 3-0 ahead and her place in a ninth Wimbledon final already looked in the bag.
Kerber set up the showdown after bringing an end to Venus Williams’ golden run.
Kerber though was reading the Venus serve very well and broke once again. “I can’t believe I’m in the final this year”.
It’s been a busy day for the Williams sisters at Wimbledon. She was one of the best players in the world.
Serena and Venus have met in four Wimbledon finals, with Serena winning three and Venus winning one.
The trend relented when Williams framed the ball out of court on Kerber’s second game point in the sixth, to slide 4-2 adrift.
She was in a great mood, and her serve was working really well. Vesnina occasionally kept pace in the rallies and she tried everything in the second set to turn the tide, rushing the net, drop-shots and once even looking up to the sky in hope of some spiritual intervention.
Vesnina was playing in her first ever Grand Slam singles semifinal, and had never beaten Williams over the course of her pro career, which began all the way back in 2002.
As Vesnina pointed out though, it was all about Serena and if she replicates the form she showed on Thursday it seems the long-awaited 22nd major title will be her’s this weekend.
Vesnina was equally adamant that she and her fellow women players deserve equal rewards.
Centre Court was far from full for the first three games, as those who witnessed Serena’s whirlwind win stepped outside to gather their breath.
Five-time champion Venus fell out of the world’s top 100 in 2011 after being diagnosed with the immune system disorder Sjogren’s syndrome..
The winners will play in Saturday’s final.
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Elena Vesnina in action against Serena Williams.
