Serena Williams on course for eighth Wimbledon title as she beats Barbora Strycova to reach the final

SERENA WILLIAMS will take another tilt at history on Saturday after needing just 59 minutes to earn her place in the Wimbledon final. Williams’ quest to equal Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles fell at the final hurdle in SW19 last year and again at the US Open. But the seven-time […]

SERENA WILLIAMS will take another tilt at history on Saturday after needing just 59 minutes to earn her place in the Wimbledon final.

Williams’ quest to equal Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles fell at the final hurdle in SW19 last year and again at the US Open.

PA:Press Association

But the seven-time champion, 37, will have another go on Saturday thanks to a crushing 6-1 6-2 victory over Barbora Strycova, who appeared to hurt herself in the early stages of heir semi-final.

The Czech player had ended the run of Britain’s Jo Konta in the quarter finals but could not halt the American’s momentum.

Strycova pulled up sharply, apparently in pain, after the second point of the match and Williams did not take long to stamp her authority on the occasion.

She broke the Czech’s serve in the fourth game and brought up two break points in the sixth with a brilliant backhand down the line.

Strycova fluffed a backhand to fall a double break behind and then could not capitalise on the three break points she earned as her opponent served for the set.

Williams slammed the door shut, closing it out with an ace after just 27 minutes of play.

PA:Press Association

Strycova was making more of a fight of the second set until a double fault gave her opponent a chance to break and she netted a backhand on the next point.

And the 33 year old screamed in frustration when she put a routine volley wide to gift Williams the double break and the chance to serve for the match at 5-2.

The American made no mistake and fellow finalist Simona Halep now stands between her and another landmark for tennis.

She said: “It feels good to be back in the final, especially after my year.

“I just need some matches. Every match I know I’m improving.
“Now that I feel good I can do what I do best which is play tennis.

“I wake up every morning and I get to be fit and I get to play sport and I get to play in front of crowds like this at at Wimbledon.

“When you break it down, I have a great job. I love what I do and I’m still good at what I do, I think.”

“She’s tough. She played unbelievable today.

“We played on grass and we always have tough matches. I look forward to it.”