Tennis Atlantic

Williams Win Second ‘Serena Slam’ at Wimbledon 2015
Niall Clarke, Tennis Atlantic

Serena Williams fought off a Garbine Muguruza fight back to complete the ‘Serena slam’ and lift the Venus rosewater dish for a sixth time.

The world number one came through in straight sets 6-4, 6-4 and is now only one major victory away from completing the calendar year grand slam and matching Steff Graf’s total of 22.

It was no made easy as a nervy start from Serena was punished by Muguruza. Three double faults gifted the Spaniard an early break, and she hold on to take a 4-3 lead.

However after hesitating on a short FH at 15-0, the confidence Muguruza had in her game began to disappear. Sensing this the 20 time grand slam champion rose her level as she often does to break back and then take the first set 6-4.

With her serve and return now found, Williams began to run away with the second set. A struggling Muguruza dropped serve twice leaving Serena to serve it out at 5-1. But the 21 year old was not done yet.

In a situation where a lot of players would crumble, Muguruza fought back. A tight Serena lost her serve, and then Muguruza would hold to take the score to 5-3. An incredible game saw the Spaniard earn three break points which were all saved by the big serve we have come accustomed to seeing. Serena earned match point which Muguruza fought hard to save, and the Spaniard soon found herself back in the match with a forehand down the line to incredibly break back.

All of a sudden the pressure was on the 20^th seed to serve to stay in the match. A double fault, a net cord and two loose forehand’s later the match ended, much to the disappointment of the now silent centre court.

It was a confusing and bizarre finish to the match, but all that matters is Serena had done it. She has finally claimed her sixth Wimbledon title and completed the ‘Serena slam’ for a second time.

BBC’s Sue Barker conducted the traditional on court interviews.

“Garbine played so well.” Williams said. “I didn’t even know it was over – she was fighting so hard at the end. Congratulations – don’t be sad, you’ll be holding this trophy very, very soon, believe me!

“I can’t believe I’m standing here with another Serena Slam. It’s really cool. And the crowd helped me through it – I heard all the ‘I love you’ and I love you more! It’s such an honour. It feels so good.”

Serena now holds all four grand slams, the Olympic gold and the year-end championships making this the second ‘Serena slam’. The first was the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open in 2002 and Australian Open in 2003. She is now one shy of Steffi Graf’s 22 grand slams and three shy of Margaret Court’s 24.

Muguruza could not prevent the world number one from winning her 21^st grand slam, but she can still hold her head high after a great run to the final. The Spaniard’s aggressive play and charming personality earned her plenty of fans and she received a standing ovation from the centre court crowd.

“I’m very happy and proud to be playing in front of this amazing crowd,” Muguruza said of her first Grand Slam final. “I love to play on big courts, and a Grand Slam final is just a dream come true for me.

“But I also want to say congratulations to Serena. She’s showing us she’s still World No.1.”

Muguruza will now move to number 9 in the world rankings thus breaking the top ten for the first time in her career. She will also be on course for a top eight finish which will see the 21 year old make the year end championships.

Martina Hingis rolled back the years to secure the doubles title with her partner Sania Mirza. The top seeds beat Russian pairing Elena Vesnina and Ekaterina Makarova 5-7, 7-6 (4), 7-5.