THE 2019 Wimbledon women’s singles final will see Serena Williams and Simona Halep go head-to-head on Centre Court today.
Williams, a seven-time champion, made it through to her 11th final at the All England Club after she beat Barbora Strycova 6-1, 6-2 in the semi-finals on Thursday. The American, 37, will be aiming to win a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title held by Margaret Court.
Despite her career success at Wimbledon, Williams was beaten 6-3, 6-3 in last year’s final by Angelique Kerber.
Halep progressed to the final after beating Elina Svitolina 6-1, 6-3 in the last four.
It will be the Romanian’s fifth grand slam final and first at Wimbledon. The 27-year-old is going for second slam title after winning the 2018 French Open.
Serena appears optimistic ahead of the final.
“It feels good to be back in the final. It’s good, especially after my year. I just needed some matches. I know I’m improving and I just needed to feel good and then I can do what I do best which is play tennis.
“I love what I do, I wake up every morning and I get to be fit and play sport and play in front of crowds like here at Wimbledon – not everyone can do that. I’m still pretty good at what I do and it’s always an amazing experience.”
For the seventh-seeded Halep, she is in fine form.
“As a player, I can say that I have a better game these days. I can play everywhere, against anyone. It’s good that I have more plans. When I go on court and face an opponent, I know how to play against her.
“Also I know how to change some things when it doesn’t work very well. As a person, I’m trying just to be confident, to be positive. I’m working hard to do the best always when I step on the court.
“I talked to my mum after the match. About ten, 15 years ago she said her dream is [the] final in Wimbledon because everyone is here, the Royal Box. She said I think it’s an unbelievable moment. So today her dream came true, so I will play a final.”
Simona Halep lost against Serena Williams at the 2019 Australian Open in January.
The duo have played each other on 10 previous occasions with Williams winning nine times and Halep once.
Serena was in a similar situation in last year’s final against Angelique Kerber, who ended up shocking most pundits – as well as Williams – by playing lights-out tennis and denying Williams the win. She will be extra alert and super eager to get the No.24 major title that everyone but Williams keeps talking about. She knows what pressure is all about. She won’t let this one slip away.
But Halep is expected to come through tough. – The Week.co.uk
