The last time a German woman reached the Wimbledon final, Sabine Lisicki collapsed under the sheer weight of expectation during her lachrymose defeat to Marion Bartoli three years ago. There is little chance that Angelique Kerber will experience a similar meltdown when she strides on to Centre Court on Saturday.
Unlike Lisicki, Kerber is not expected to win. There is only one favourite whenever Serena Williams is on the other side of the net. More significantly, however, Kerber is made of much sterner stuff than the more erratic Lisicki. She became a grand slam champion this year, stunning Williams in the Australian Open final in January, so the 28-year-old cannot be patronised, patted on the head just for getting this far.
One way or another, history will be made. Either Williams equals Steffi Graf’s record of 22 grand slam singles titles in the open era or Kerber proves she is no one-hit wonder by keeping the world No1 one behind her compatriot’s tally.
Thoughts of becoming the first German female champion here since Graf won her seventh Wimbledon title with a 6–3, 7–5 victory over Arantxa Sánchez Vicario 20 years ago do not faze the world No4.
“It’s a long time,” Kerber said. “I will try to be the next German who wins Wimbledon. But it’s a long, long way still. It’s another tough match. I’m trying not to think about this pressure, because I know that when I put too much pressure on myself I will not play my best tennis. That’s why I will try to enjoy the final.”
Kerber has not always carried herself confidently since her breakthrough in Melbourne, failing to back up that success during the clay season. After losing in the first round of the French Open, she was out of sorts when she arrived in SW19.
After her impressive victory over Simona Halep in the last eight, Kerber spoke about how she had put too much pressure on herself in Paris. She has been more relaxed in Wimbledon, blazing into the final without dropping a set, conceding only 39 games in six matches.
Kerber has had dips in the past but she turned to Graf for support during a worrying wobble in March 2015. The former world No1 reminded her how good she can be and those words of encouragement from her idol were music to Kerber’s ears.
The day before Kerber faced Williams in Australia, she checked her phone during a press conference and saw a message of congratulations from Graf.
Whatever Graf said worked wonders because Kerber was inspired in the final, just as she will have to be on Saturday, standing up to Williams and staying with her in the long, punishing rallies.
Kerber said she has not had any contact with Graf this time. She did not spend too long on that topic, preferring to focus on the challenge of containing Williams, who leads the way with 61 aces. Kerber is an excellent returner but her opponent’s mighty serve picks up even more pace on grass.
“I think it will be a completely new match because we are playing on grass,” Kerber said. “It’s a little bit different, the game style. I know that she will go out and try to beat me, especially because she lost against me in Australia. On grass she is always dangerous. It’s always tough against Serena. But I will try to take the experience from Australia.”
The devastating manner of Williams’ 48-minute destruction of Elena Vesnina lacks relevance. After all, Kerber has become an unlikely scourge of the Williams sisters, beating Venus Williams 6-4, 6-4 on Thursday.
“It’s always tough to play against players like this,” Kerber said. “I will try to go in my own way, not thinking too much about the history of my opponents. It’s a new day, a new match.
“It’s important to give everything I could this day. I’m going out there to win the matches, playing my game, not thinking too much.”
There is no room for sentimentality, nothing to be gained from too much analysis. One Williams down, one to go.
