Serena Beats Kerber, Wins Wimbledon Title

Serena Williams beat Germany’s Angelique Kerber 7-5 6-3 to claim a seventh Wimbledon singles title and equal Steffi Graf’s professional era record of 22 grand slam singles crowns on Saturday.

 

The 34-year-old American edged a high-quality final on a blustery Centre Court as she avenged a surprise loss to Kerber in Australia.

 

Fourth seed Kerber stuck to her guns in a fiercely-fought first set but wavered at 5-6 when a couple of unforced errors gave a fired-up Williams the chance to grab the opener, which she did on her second set point.

 

Williams faced a moment of danger when Kerber earned a first break point at 3-3 in the second set but she responded strongly.

Serena Beats Kerber, Wins Wimbledon Title

Raonic Downs Federer, will Face Murray in Wimbledon Final

Roger Federer’s bid for a record eighth Wimbledon title was cut short in the semifinals Friday by Milos Raonic, a big-serving Canadian who came from two-sets-to-one down to win in five and reach his first Grand Slam final.

Raonic beat the seven-time champion 6-3, 6-7 (3), 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 on Centre Court, handing the Swiss great his first loss ever in the Wimbledon semifinals after 10 straight wins.

 

Everything seemed to be going according to Roger Federer’s master plan—or Maestro plan—as he stepped up to serve at 5-6 in the fourth set against Milos Raonic in their semifinal at Wimbledon on Friday.

The seven-time champion had weathered an early Raonic power surge to lead two sets to one. He was playing an exceedingly clean, virtually error-free match; he hadn’t faced a break point since the early stages, and he had made deep inroads on Raonic’s serve in the fourth set.

 

From the start, Federer’s strokes looked sharp, his serve was just as effective as his opponent’s and he had struck the right balance of aggression and thoughtfulness; his variety of spins and placements had kept Raonic off balance. Even Federer’s fist pumps and “Come on!” shouts were impeccably timed.

 

While age wasn’t on his side in this matchup, the 34-year-old knew that history was: Before Friday, Federer was 10-0 in semifinals at Wimbledon.

Raonic Downs Federer, will Face Murray in Wimbledon Final

Serena Retracts Her Statement Over a Possible Legal Suit Against Wimbledon

Serena Williams doesn’t plan to sue Wimbledon, even though she made that threat during her match Monday when she was concerned she might slip on the wet Centre Court grass.

Williams, the defending women’s singles champion, didn’t like the suggestion that she and Svetlana Kuznetsova should continue playing at 5-5 despite a light rain.

 

She discussed the situation with umpire Marija Cicak and tournament referee Andrew Jarrett. In their initial conversation, Williams could be heard saying, “I’m going to fall. Can’t they just close the roof?”

 

Cicak’s response could not be heard, but Williams then said: “If I get hurt, I’m suing…”

 

The world’s No. 1 women’s player, who went on to a 7-5, 6-0 victory over Kuznetsova, later explained she had no intention of actually suing the tournament.

 

“I was in the moment,” she said. “I was on the court. What I say on the court, whether it’s smashing my rackets or it’s in the heat of the moment … I have no plans, no future of suing Wimbledon. Let’s get serious. That’s not what I do. That’s not what I am.”

Serena Retracts Her Statement Over a Possible Legal Suit Against Wimbledon