The final against Muguruza could be tasty. The young Spaniard stunned Serena in the French Open second round last year. A grand slam final will, of course, be a different proposition, but don’t be surprised if Muguruza pushes Williams. Much will come down to how the 21-year-old handles the pressure of her first major final. Perhaps she could ask Sharapova for a few tips, if Sharapova can even remember her 2004 Wimbledon final win as a 17-year-old over Williams. After 17 straight defeats, it must feel like a lifetime ago. Thanks for reading. Bye!
Serena vs. Sharapova recap: pic.twitter.com/QeXySvEmDi
— Complex Sports (@Complex_Sports) July 9, 2015
Harsh as it sounds, 18-2 is less a head-to-head, than a heel-to-backside....
— Jon Wertheim (@jon_wertheim) July 9, 2015
Serena's Streaks: -27 straight Grand Slam match wins -17-straight wins vs Sharapova -15-straight sets vs Sharapova
— Kevin Fischer (@Kfish_WTA) July 9, 2015
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Serena speaks:
When she stepped up my game I was able to step up mine as well. You never want to lose. [Garbine Muguruza] actually beat me before, she made me improve. It’s not going to be an easy match. I think the feeling [of winning] definitely gets better. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in the final here [three years]. It’s really cool.
She then cuts off a question about that second Serena Slam.
At least I made it to the final of four. That’s pretty good.
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Williams beats Sharapova 6-2, 6-4 to reach the Wimbledon final!
Williams starts as she means to go on, ace, 15-0. But maybe she’s a bit tight because she double faults with a badly-mistimed second serve. How silly am I? Of course she’s not nervous. Ace, 30-15. Ace, 40-15. Unreturned serve, game, set and match Williams. Williams jumps around the court, waving to all four sides, as she celebrates reaching an eighth Wimbledon final, where she can further enhance her greatness. She’ll be going for a second Serena Slam and the third leg of a possible calendar slam, not to mention a 21st grand slam title and a sixth at Wimbledon. She’s a phenomenon. As for Sharapova, the losing run. Goes. On.
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Second set: *Williams 6-2, 5-4 Sharapova (*denotes next server)
Sharapova’s serve jumps into the body of Williams, who nets. Sharapova lets rip with an inside-out forehand to get to 30-0. Oooof, take that. She virtually battered the life out of the ball there. Williams then finishes the ball off for good with a powerful backhand. 30-15. Another point apiece and it’s 40-30. The pair duke it out from the back of the court, before Williams decides she’s had enough and puts away the backhand winner. Deuce, with Williams, potentially, two points from the final. Now she’s only one point away because Sharapova’s serve creaks under the pressure once again and produces a double fault. Advantage Williams, match point. Williams has the chance to win it, but goes for too much on the cross-court forehand! Deuce. A breathtaking point follows, perhaps the best of the match, some frightening hitting from both players and it’s Sharapova who survives to bring up advantage. Williams, seemingly off-balance, comes up with an unorthodox return winner. Deuce. Advantage Sharapova. Game. Sharapova was staring down the barrel there but survived. Though it may only be for one more game.
Second set: Williams 6-2, 5-3 Sharapova* (*denotes next server)
Sharapova has a bit of a spring in her step after her escape act in the previous game. She’s jumping around on the baseline pretending to return before Williams has even served. And when Williams does Sharapova takes the first point. And the second. 0-30. Williams recovers her poise, 30-all, but she had a bit of an agonising wait on the fourth point to see if her looping forehand was going to drop back into court. It did, for a winner. 40-30, game, as Sharapova’s attempted return off a sizzling serve barely makes the net. Sharapova must hold serve to stay in this semi-final.
Second set: *Williams 6-2, 4-3 Sharapova (*denotes next server)
Jim Hart emails: “I’m surprised nobody has mentioned the great Vitas Gerulaitis quote after finally getting one over on Jimmy Connors: ‘And let that be a lesson to you all. Nobody beats Vitas Gerulaitis 17 times in a row’. Unfortunately, for Sharapova, it looks like a 17th straight defeat is looming. She slumps to 15-40, two break points down. But Williams is feeling generous and throws in two forehand errors. Deuce. A rocket of a return, advantage Williams. If she breaks here she’ll be serving for a place in the final. But this time she sprays an errant backhand into the tramlines. Deuce. Advantage Sharapova. Game Sharapova. The Russian allows herself a little fist pump in celebration, having saved those three break points.
Second set: Williams 6-2, 4-2 Sharapova* (*denotes next server)
Apologies, technical errors. But I can tell you that Williams consolidates the break by holding emphatically to love.
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Second set: *Williams 6-2, 3-2 Sharapova (*denotes next server)
0-15, 0-30, as Williams, backpedaling, is able to crash down a tricky smash. A rare unforced error from the Williams racket and it’s 15-30. Williams has hit twice as many winners as unforced errors today, 17 to eight. But look, there’s another. 30-all. Sharapova takes what feels like an age to serve, as she engages in her usual tics; the swipes at the stray wisps of hair, the ball bounces and the extraordinarily high ball toss. The tortured routine does her no good. 30-40, break point. And a fifth double fault hands Williams the game!
Both playing better now as Serena holds for 2-2. Serena won't have much trouble matching Sharapova's level regardless, but it's going up.
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) July 9, 2015
Second set: Williams 6-2, 2-2 Sharapova* (*denotes next server)
Williams twists the knife with a second-serve ace, 15-all. But then loosens it a little as Sharapova gets to 15-30. Could this be a first break point for Sharapova? No, because Williams puts Sharapova under enough pressure to force the Russian to net. 30-all. 40-30. Game, as Williams sends Sharapova to one side and then wallops the winner to the other. Smart and brutal play.
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Second set: *Williams 6-2, 1-2 Sharapova (*denotes next server)
Sharapova’s found some rhythm on serve. 15-0, 30-0, 40-0. A long pause between the first and second serves on game point, it’s not one that helps Sharapova, double fault. But that’s the only blot in an otherwise positive game. She’s getting more first serves in and picking her spots. Shankar Mony emails to ask: “Williams-Sharapova: has there ever been such a one-sided rivalry between two top players? 17-2?” I can’t think of one at the very top. Sure, Williams has similar records over other players on tour, but not ones who she’s competing with for the game’s biggest prizes.
Second set: Williams 6-2, 1-1 Sharapova* (*denotes next server)
The commentators are crying for Sharapova to make an adjustment to her play and one seems to come when the Russian decides to screech even louder than usual. The screeching gets her to 30 on Williams’s serve. But no further. Williams holds.
Second set: *Williams 6-2, 0-1 Sharapova (*denotes next server)
A wounded Sharapova responds with her most comfortable game of the day.
Have zero clue why Shazza team make no adjustments in there game plan facing SW,standing on baseline to return her serv and never move
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) July 9, 2015
Don't see how Sharapova can beat Serena (never mind today) with her serve so far from being up to code...
— Jon Wertheim (@jon_wertheim) July 9, 2015
First set to Serena, 6-2. Playing well, but not spectacular—Sharapova far from her level of the Aussie Open final. #Wimbledon
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) July 9, 2015
How costly will the serve prove to be today? #Wimbledon Watch on @BBCOne http://t.co/z8XZMdJ8Ld pic.twitter.com/6UhoHw3YlV
— BBC Tennis (@bbctennis) July 9, 2015
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Williams wins the first set 6-2
Williams is serving with the new balls. As if she needed any more help as she looks to open up a one-set lead. She starts off with – you guessed it – an ace. 15-0. 30-0. 40-0. Three set points. Sharapova saves the first. But she’s powerless to do anything on the second as Williams bludgeons a backhand winner. Ace + backhand winner + ace + backhand winner = the opening set. And this, readers, looks to be going exactly the same way as their past 16 meetings. Can you see it being any different in the second set?
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First set: *Williams 5-2 Sharapova (*denotes next server)
Sharapova appears on course for a comfortable hold at 30-0. But she gets her timing all wrong on the forehand and inexplicably fires wide! Williams is pushing to get to 30-all but then it’s her turn to come up with an ugly error. Williams, with the court at her mercy, has the time to put away the drive volley but somehow misses! 40-30. Game. Williams will have to serve this set out.
First set: Williams 5-1 Sharapova* (*denotes next server)
The way this is going a repeat of Williams’s 2012 Olympic win isn’t beyond the realms of possibility. Sharapova won only one game then. 15-0. 30-0, with a fifth ace of the day from Williams. Williams whistles a forehand past a stranded Sharapova and it’s game point. Game Williams. Part of the problem for Sharapova is when she whacks it at Williams, Williams whacks it back as hard – if not harder. Sharapova just isn’t used to that. When Sharapova comes up against Williams the baseline bully gets bullied.
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First set: *Williams 4-1 Sharapova (*denotes next server)
Sharapova senses danger at 15-30. But she’s unable to issue her own call to arms, and dumps into the net. 15-40, two break points. Williams skips into mid-court, with seemingly all the time in the world, and dispatches the forehand winner with ease.
Williams is just too powerful for other players to handle. Her power mixed with her passion makes her unstoppable. #Wimbledon @KatyMurrells
— Connor Eccott (@CJEccott) July 9, 2015
First set: Williams 3-1 Sharapova* (*denotes next server)
Sharapova takes a chance on a second serve, lets out a big scream, and attempts to rip down the line. But it’s wide. 15-0, 15-all, 15-30, as Sharapova gets Williams scrambling around the grass. Williams comes back to 30-all, before regaining the initiative with a sizzling serve. And there’s another. Surely it’s the finest shot in women’s tennis? Game.
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First set: *Williams 2-1 Sharapova (*denotes next server)
Sharapova’s serve is all at sea. 0-15, 0-30. A better play on the next point, as she serves harder and comes in to punish the short ball. 15-30. The pair then go down the middle at each other, before Williams decides to mix things up by sending Sharapova scampering to a forehand and then what should be a backhand, but Williams miscues and Sharapova doesn’t need to hit it. 30-all. 30-40, a chance for Williams to grab a double break. And Sharapova comes up with her best serve so far, an ace out wide. She’ll need a few more of those today. Deuce. Advantage Williams, another break point. Williams hoiks into the tramlines with a messy backhand, deuce. Sharapova looks to have overcooked a drive volley on the next point, but the ball just grazes the baseline and she puts away the next volley with ease. Advantage Sharapova. And from there Sharapova squeaks through. But already it’s so difficult for her.
Already Shazza way to close on return of serv and ball toss all over the place
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) July 9, 2015
First set: Williams 2-0 Sharapova* (*denotes next server)
A little skip from Sharapova after she redeems herself slightly by taking the opening point on Williams’s serve. But she concedes the next two points with forehand errors. Then it’s Williams’s turn to throw in one of her own, 30-all. A first ace for Williams, nearly 120mph down the T, and it’s game point. And a first double fault brings the score back to deuce. Williams is unlikely to give too many of those away today. Sharapova should take advantage while she can. But she doesn’t. Advantage Williams. Game Williams.
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First set: *Williams 1-0 Sharapova (*denotes next server)
Ladies and gentlemen, Ms Sharapova will serve first. Let’s play. Williams starts as she means to go on, with an attempted backhand winner down the line, but she hasn’t found her aim yet and goes wide. 15-0. She gives the ball a good whack and a crack on the next point too, but blazes into the tramlines again with a backhand. 30-0. It’s a case of third time lucky as Williams jumps on a weak second serve with a backhand return winner. 30-15. Sharapova must get more depth on the second serve today if she’s to challenge Williams. But when she goes for more depth on the next second serve, she double faults. Sharapova’s damned if she does, damned if she doesn’t. 30-all turns into deuce which turns into advantage Williams when Sharapova doubles for a second time. And a third double fault hands Williams the break! What a horror show from Sharapova.
Williams, of course, is closing in on another bit of history here. A sixth Wimbledon title would also see her become the current holder of all four grand slam titles, matching her “Serena Slam” in 2002-03. She would also be three-quarters of the way to a calendar slam, matching Steffi Graf’s 1988 feat. And a 21st grand slam title would leave her only one behind Graf’s Open era record of 22. Do you think she’s already the game’s greatest (you could argue her longevity means she is), or does she need those records to confirm that status?
Thump! Thump! Thumpity! Thump! They’re warming up.
They’re already taking aim at each other at the net during the coin toss. Sharapova practices a few swings, Williams a few service motions.
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And here they come, Williams a few steps ahead, as has been the story of their matches over the past decade. No eye-contact between them. No surprises there.
Some pre-match tweets
As I said on @LiveatWimbledon last night only way Maria has real chance v Serena is 2 change it up, return great & dictate early & often
— Matt Cronin (@TennisReporters) July 9, 2015
Serena and Sharapova have only met once in a Slam semifinal. The 2005 Aussie Open changed course of tennis history. http://t.co/iq4xtoq2Ok
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) July 9, 2015
Serena Williams is 24-3 in Grand Slam SF. Only losses to: Venus Williams (2000 Wimbledon) Justine Henin (2003 RG) Kim Clijsters (2009 USO)
— Kevin Fischer (@Kfish_WTA) July 9, 2015
As for the weather, after yesterday’s showers, the sun is back and the weather is set fair. There shouldn’t be any interruptions.
The players will be out in around five minutes’ time, so let’s do a quick Royal Box roll call. David Beckham? Present. Stephen Fry? Present. Martina Navratilova? Present. Pippa and James Middleton? Present and present.
“I heard some people saying: ‘Out, out’. I don’t know what happened. I was just praying it was on the line,” says Muguruza of the pivotal moment at deuce.
The Spaniard adds: “The final’s going to be a dream. My parents and brother didn’t want to come over and taint anything. I’ll get them a ticket now.
“I don’t have words to explain it. I worked all my life to achieve this moment. I think I was playing really well so I had to stay calm and keep a poker face.
“I knew it was going to be tough. I was nervous in second set. She has a lot of experience and I had to fight.”
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There was a big twist at the end of the Muguruza v Radwanska semi-final, by the way. With Muguruza wavering while serving for the match at 5-3 and deuce on her serve, her shot clipped the baseline, before she sent long on the next. But before she hit that second shot Radwanska’s box shouted “OUT!”, prompting the Pole to challenge mid-point. Hawk-Eye showed Muguruza’s shot was just in. So Radwanska lost the point, despite the fact Muguruza would have conceded the point on the next shot. Radwanska is probably cursing at her team in the locker room right now. It would have been break point.
Throwback Thursday. Perhaps it’s because Sharapova’s hanging around in the locker room searching for a bit of pre-match inspiration. Would this help?
The announcer says: there’ll be a break before Williams and Sharapova arrive. They’ll be on at 3.35pm BST. It’s not clear why. Usually there would only be about 10 minutes before the next players take to court.
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Preamble
What’s the definition of a rival? According to the dictionary, it’s this:
• a person or thing that tries to defeat or be more successful than another
• something or someone that is as good or almost as good as another person or thing
Applying the first definition, the relationship between Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova is a rivalry. The game’s fiercest fighters and biggest earners, who make no secret of the fact they don’t really like each other, have been in direct competition for tennis’s top prizes for over a decade, and are facing each other for a 20th time today.
But take a look at the breakdown of that head-to-head, and the second definition would suggest Williams and Sharapova share anything but a rivalry. Williams leads 17-2, has prevailed in their past 16 matches and has lost only one set to the Russian since 2010. In their last meeting on grass, at the London 2012 Olympics, Williams conceded only one game. Sharapova’s last victory over her (un)rival came in 2004, the year she stunned Williams to win Wimbledon as a 17-year-old.
“I haven’t had great success against her,” Sharapova understated on Tuesday, before Williams deadpanned: “I think I bring out the best in her. It’s always really good to see her doing well.” Williams increased the comedy further when she said of today’s match: “I don’t have anything to lose.”
Williams has much to lose today, more than Sharapova, and perhaps that’s where a potential twist could lie. Will Williams be able to keep her emotions in check as she looks to move within one win of a second Serena Slam? There’s also the even bigger matter of a potential first calendar slam, to match Steffi Graf’s feat in 1988. Williams’s tears during the finale of her third-round match against Heather Watson suggested the pressure was starting to tell, before far more assured displays against her sister Venus in the last 16 and Victoria Azarenka in the quarter-finals, in arguably the match of the women’s tournament. But if any chinks in Williams’ armour do appear this afternoon, Sharapova must be ready to take full advantage.
The players will be on court: shortly.
And that’s because: Garbiñe Muguruza, the big-hitting 21-year-old Spaniard, has marked her Centre Court and grand slam semi-final debut by withstanding an Agnieszka Radwanska fightback to win 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. Muguruza had won only one match at Wimbledon before this year. She lost to Britain’s Johanna Konta at the warm-up event in Eastbourne two weeks ago. Now she’s in a Wimbledon final!
