Defending champion Serena Williams reached her third successive Wimbledon final after seeing off a challenge from the gritty Petra Kvitova 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 yesterday
Defending champion Serena Williams reached her third successive Wimbledon final after seeing off a challenge from the gritty Petra Kvitova 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 yesterday.
The world number one was given a tough fight by unseeded Czech world number 62, but Kvitova began to run out of steam in the second set and could not stop Williams from edging towards a fourth Wimbledon title.
"It definitely wasn't easy. I worked really hard," the American top seed said. "I'm happy to still be here, it's such a blessing to still be in the tournament."
Williams now faces Russian 21st seed Vera Zvonareva in Saturday's final. "Vera is a great player. I've had some unbelievable matches against her," the 28-year-old said.
"It will be tough. I feel like I have nothing to lose going into the final and she doesn't either, so it will be good."
The victory means that at least one of the Williams sisters has advanced to 10 out of 11 straight finals here, with Serena now having made six of them.
Williams is chasing a 13th Grand Slam singles title. She won her three at the All England Club in 2002, 2003 and 2009. She is yet to drop a set here this year, though Maria Sharapova and Kvitova at least took her to first set tie-breaks.
