Looking spectacular in her high-collar Nike dress, Serena Williams beat Angelique Kerber in the final of Wimbledon 2016, in two sets, but two difficult ones, and added yet another historic stat in her career, equaling Steffi Graf’s record of 22 Grand Slam titles.
The world No.3 Kerber, who will climb to No.2 on Monday, opened the championship match by winning a nice, competitive point on Williams’ serve, but the defending champion answered by winning four straight points. What followed was Kerber’s long fight to hold her first service game, which included three break points, but the German didn’t allow a break and what proceeded were strong holds of serve by both players all the way to 6-5 for Williams. We know that the world No.1 Williams always steps up her game at crucial moments, while the pressure flooded Kerber. At 15-15 in the twelfth game, Kerber made two awkward errors, handing Williams two break and set points, and even though the German saved one, the second was too much for her and Williams won the set 7-5, whose energetic celebration showed how difficult the set behind her was.
The second set was somewhat similar, as all the games were holds, except for the eighth when Kerber dropped serve to give Williams a big 5-3 lead, which Williams naturally didn’t waste away, holding to love to win her seventh Wimbledon title, with Beyoncé and Jay Z supporting her from the stands (remember that Serena dances in Beyoncé’s video “Sorry” from the album “Lemonade”). Unlike in the first set, in the second set Kerber did have a break opportunity at 3-3, but Williams saved it in her signature fashion, with a blistering ace that totally demoralized her conqueror in this year’s Australian Open final.
Overall, Kerber definitely gave Williams a hard time, but it was Williams who more confidently won her service games and more often threatened her opponent’s serve.
Serena’s route to the title included victories over Amra Sadikovic in the first round, then a tough match against fellow American Christina McHale in the second, followed by a quick third round against Annika Beck, then victories over three Russians, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Elena Vesnina, and finally Germany’s Kerber.
Yep, the GOAT is in the house! What an amazing match, Serena, and what an amazing athlete you are. Almost 35 yrs. old and still the greatest. In addition, congrats on your win in the doubles final with your living legend sister, Venus Williams. Congrats on #22, the singles championship and the doubles! Simply amazing! Congrats, Venus! The 36 yr. old living tennis legend who’s still getting the job done. You girls are such a joy to watch, and you make so many people proud.
Wait! If Serena’s looking great in her 2016 Wimbledon high-collar dress, why in the world is that old photo of her staring me in the face? Please put the photo up that fits the article. Her beautiful dress worn this year is a hot topic right about now. Thanks!
TheRealDeal, you’re right, I’ve updated the photo. I wanted to use my own photo and I don’t have any photos from Wimbledon this time, but then after your advice I resorted to Getty Images.
Look for Serena to avenge her semifinal loss to Vinci at last year’s US Open and win her 23rd GS, moving her past Graf and within one of Margaret Court.
Thanks, Marija, for updating the photo of Serena. You’re doing a fine job.
Ditto, Jim. It’s interesting there are hardly any comments on Serena’s win…very interesting indeed.