Serena demolishes Sharapova to reach Wimbledon final
Serena Williams reached her eighth Wimbledon final after brushing aside Maria Sharapova's challenge in their semifinal encounter on Thursday. It took just 79 minutes for the world number one to beat the fourth seeded Sharapova 6-2, 6-4 in straight sets.
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The 33-year-old American, who will now face 20th seed Garbine Muguruza on Saturday, will be in her 25th Grand Slam final.
Other records also beckon for Serena, including becoming the first woman to win the French Open and Wimbledon back to back since she last achieved it in 2002.
Also, if she wins her fifth Wimbledon title, Serena will become the first woman since Steffi Graf in 1988 to win a calendar Grand Slam.
Sharapova’s only success against Serena at Wimbledon was in 2004, when she won the Wimbledon title.
Earlier Muguruza beat Agnieszka Radwanska 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 to reach her first Grand Slam final.
This is also the first time in 19 years that a Spanish woman would be vying for the title.
Aranxta Sanchez-Vicario was the last Spaniard to make the final at the All England Club in 1996 while Conchita Martinez was the last Spanish women's champion in 1994.
Speaking about the final, Serena said she doesn’t feel any pressure.
"I've won so many Grand Slam titles," she explained. "I'm at a position where I don't need to win another Wimbledon. I could lose on Saturday. Sure, I won't be happy. But I don't need another Wimbledon title."
Getting to 18 majors was stressful for her, she added.
“I was so desperate to do it. After that, I've just been really enjoying myself," she said.
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