Venus, Muguruza Set Up Wimbledon Final Clash

July 13, 2017 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff

The women’s singles final at Wimbledon was established on Thursday morning as American Venus Williams and Spain’s Garbine Muguruza won their respective semifinal matches in straight sets.

In the day’s first semifinal, the 14th seed Muguruza took on the surprise of the tournament in Slovakia’s Magdalena Rybarikova, and played a nearly-flawless match, rolling to a 6-1, 6-1 victory to reach the Wimbledon final for the second time in her career.

“I wasn’t expecting anything because you never know how it’s going to go. I saw her play before. I saw she was playing very good, very talented,” said Muguruza. “I just expected myself to be ready as much as I could. Maybe the score did look maybe easier than actually playing during the games.”

Muguruza came out firing, breaking Rybarikova in her first two service games on her way to building a 5-0 first-set lead. Rybarikova avoided the bagel with a hold of serve, but Muguruza served out the set in the ensuing game to win the opening set.

The 2015 finalist then broke to open up the second set on her way to building a 4-0 lead. Three games later, she wrapped the match up to move back into the Wimbledon final.

“Just for me it’s incredible to be here in another final, because it means a lot,” added Muguruza. “It’s a Grand Slam. I lost one here two years ago, so I really look forward to this one to try to change that.”

Awaiting Muguruza in the final is the five-time champion Venus Williams, who continued her unbelievable run with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Great Britain’s Johanna Konta.

“I’ve played a lot of finals here, it’s been a blessing,” said Venus. “I can’t ask for more, but I want a little more. I thought the crowd was so nice to me today. Konta played so well, no point was easy. I just tried to climb on top each time, to get another point, and wow, it was over.”

After saving break points at 4-4 in the opening set, Venus capitalized on her chances in the next game to break the sixth-seeded Konta and take the set.

She then broke for a 3-1 lead in the second set which gave her the commanding lead. She would not lose a service game, breaking again at 5-2 to close out the match and reach her ninth Wimbledon final.

Venus committed just nine unforced errors throughout the match and saved the only two break points she faced.


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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