Spaniard Garbiñe Muguruza and American Serena Williams advanced to the Ladies’ final at Wimbledon. Muguruza defeated 13th seed Agnieszka Radwańska of Poland 6-2 3-6 6-3 while Williams knocked off Russian Maria Sharapova 6-2 6-4. In the first semifinal, the 20th seed raced out to a quick 6-2 3-1 lead before the 2012 finalist rattled off the last 5 games of the 2nd set to even the match. The Pole then broke serve to open up the decider before being broken back. The decisive break came at 3-2, Muguruza grabbing it and holding her nerve to close out the match to advance to her first career Grand Slam final and become the first Spanish woman to reach a major final since Conchita Martinez at the 2000 French Open. Radwanska was looking for her 2nd major final, her first here three years ago.
In the second semifinal, Williams recorded her 17th straight victory over Sharapova with little trouble dating back to 2004. The 4th seed double faulted on break point in the opening game of the match and it was all downhill from there. Playing better in set 2, the 4th seed surrendered her serve at 2-all to essentially hand Williams the match, which she finished in routine fashion. The top seed notched her 27th consecutive match win at a major and will attempt to become the first woman to win the first three majors of the year since Steffi Graf in 1988.
The Final: 1 Serena Williams vs 20 Garbiñe Muguruza, Saturday 8am ET on ESPN.
Williams and Muguruza have met three times with the American holding a 2-1 edge. The Spaniard’s one win was at last year’s French Open when she handed the 20-time Grand Slam champion her worst loss at a major, defeating Williams 6-2 6-2. Playing poised, relaxed and confident with nothing to lose, the 20th seed should come out firing knowing all of the pressure is on her opponent. Holding serve and smartly attacking Williams’ deliveries will be key, as will the Spaniard’s nerves being in her first Grand Slam final. I think she’ll do just enough to pull off the major upset and win her first Grand Slam title.
Prediction: Muguruza in 3 sets.
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