Serena Unstoppable
Defending champion Serena Williams won her fourth women’s singles title at Wimbledon on Saturday with a crushing 6-3, 6-2 victory over Russian 21st seed Vera Zvonareva in a lop-sided final.
Williams displayed all her trademark power and poise to overwhelm Zvonareva on Centre Court and clinch the 13th Grand Slam crown of her career.
The 28-year-old’s triumph means the Venus Rosewater Dish awarded to the women’s champion was held aloft by a Williams for the ninth time in 11 years, sister Venus accounting for the others.
Serena, who pocketed one million pounds (1.5 million dollars) in prize money, has been by far the most impressive performer in the women’s event this year and moves up to sixth on the list of all-time Grand Slam winners, ahead of American compatriot Billie Jean King.
Not one of Serena’s seven opponents here ever seriously threatened to upset her and it would be no surprise if the world number one was back to collect another title in 12 months time.
“I just feel like at Wimbledon, whenever I come on this grass and play on this amazing court I start serving well. Everyone’s dreams can come true if you keep believing.”
Although Zvonareva was unable to make any impact in her first Grand Slam final, the Russian can at least take consolation from seeing her ranking rise into the top 10 in the world.
Zvonareva had knocked out three seeds on her way to the final, with fourth seed Jelana Jankovic and US Open champion Kim Clijsters among her scalps.
Taking on Serena in a final was another matter entirely though. Watched by a cavalcade of former Wimbledon champions, including King, Evonne Goolagong-Cawley, Martina Navratilova and Jana Novotna, Serena showed why she deserved to be mentioned in the same breath as the tournament’s all-time greats.
After keeping Williams at bay for the first seven games, Zvonareva found it impossible to stem the tide any longer.
Serena couldn’t take her first break point in the fifth game. But she made no mistake when another came her way at 4-3 and drilled a forehand winner before celebrating the break on one knee.
That gave Serena the chance to serve for the set and she did just that with ruthless efficiency.
Zvonareva’s morale was shattered and Serena went for the kill, breaking again for a 4-1 lead before serving out yet another Wimbledon triumph in just one hour and seven minutes. —AFP
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