American to meet Muguruza in Wimbledon final
London: Form is temporary and class is permanent – Venus Williams proved this statement true all over again by entering the final of the Wimbledon women’s singles here Thursday. The 37-year-old American, on course to become the oldest women’s champion at the Major, demolished home favourite Johanna Konta 6-4, 6-2 in a one-side match. She will meet Spaniard Garbine Muguruza who crushed Slovakia’s Magdalena Rybarikova 6-1, 6-1.
This will be Venus’ first final at Wimbledon after a gap of eight years. The last time she had booked a summit clash berth was way back in 2009, when she had lost the final to sister Serena. And if she wins the title Saturday, she will displace Serena only as the ‘oldest’ champion. Serena was 35-plus when she won the title last year. Now Venus in her ninth final appearance at SW19 has the chance to create a niche of her own.
The American won her first Wimbledon title in 2000 and the most recent of her seven Major victories came on Centre Court in 2008. “I’ve played a lot of finals here,” Venus told ‘BBC Sport’. “One more win will be amazing. It won’t be a given but I’ll give it my all.”
In the first set, games went with serves till four-all before Venus upped the ante. She hit a powerful backhand return and followed it up with a crisp volley at the net to secure the first break of the match. She then closed out the first set with a couple of powerful serves to which Konta had no answer.
The American carried on the momentum in the second set as the British favourite started to wilt. Two quick breaks of serve in the second set aided by some bodyline play on the part of Venus ended Konta’s campaign in this edition of the tournament.
“The crowd was very nice to me,” informed Venus. “The crowd was so fair, I know they love Jo. I think Jo handled the pressure well. “No point was easy. I tried to climb on top and maintain that advantage,” she added.
Earlier, in the first semifinal Muguruza strode on to Centre Court with a heavily strapped left thigh. But that did not bother her at all as she was 5-0 up in the first 20 minutes as Rybarikova just couldn’t handle the Spaniard’s power. After winning the first set easily, when Muguruza went up 3-0 with a double-handed backhand, the writing was on the wall for Rybarikova.