Simona Halep is the last woman standing between Serena Williams and achieving her long held ambition of equalling Margaret Court’s Grand Slam title record after both recorded easy victories in their Wimbledon semi-finals on Thursday.
Seven-time champion Williams made short work of plucky unseeded Czech Barbora Strycova, whose experience of her first ever Grand Slams singles semi-final in her 53rd campaign lasted just under an hour as she lost 6-1, 6-2.
Former world No 1 Halep’s clash with Ukrainian Elina Svitolina lasted a bit longer but the 27-year-old ran out a 6-1, 6-3 victor to become the first Romanian woman to reach the Wimbledon final.
Williams has missed the chance to equal Australian Court’s record on two occasions since returning from giving birth – losing last year’s Wimbledon final and then a bad-tempered defeat in the US Open final.
“It feels good to be in the final again after the year I have had,” said 37-year-old Williams.
“I have just needed matches to feel good and do what I do best and that is play tennis. I love what I do. I have a great job and I am still pretty good at it. I get a remarkable experience every time.”
Williams produced a dominant performance on Thursday which has not always been the case during the Championships and she said she would not be taking seventh-seeded Halep lightly.
“She’s a tough opponent,” said Williams. “We always have great matches. I look forward to it.”
Strycova, who never managed to impose her delightful stroke-filled game on her opponent, at least has the consolation of perhaps winning the women’s doubles.
Halep, who was French Open champion in 2018, will be playing in her fifth Grand Slam final.
“It’s an amazing feeling but I am also excited and nervous. It is one of the best moments of my life,” said Halep.
“The match was not easy, the games were long and went deep. “I fought hard to win this match and I was strong mentally and physically and had the right tactics.”
Halep, who had knocked out new star, 15-year-old Coco Gauff in the last 16, lost in her previous semi-final appearance at Wimbledon to Eugenie Bouchard in 2014.
However, she said she was a different player now and had taken to grass.
“I have more experience, I don’t give up anymore,” she said. “I plan to be the best version of myself and fight to the end.”
With AFP Inputs
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