Serena Williams won her 22nd grand slam title at Wimbledon on Saturday night (AEST), defeating Angelique Kerber in straight sets.
» Read today’s Wimbledon wrap!
Serena Williams and Angelique Kerber will square off for the second time this year as they go head-to-head for the Wimbledon crown. Can Kerber win a second grand slam, or will Williams take the top prize for the first time this year? Join The Roar from 11pm (AEST) for live coverage.
Serena Williams is on the cusp of making history as she aims for her seventh title at Wimbledon.
A tournament win would put her equal with Steffi Graff on seven titles behind only Martina Navratilova with nine to her name.
It would also see Williams claim her 22nd grand slam title, equal with Steffi Graff and behind only Australian Margaret Court with 24.
The American has dropped only one set on grass this season.
She breezed through her first round matchup with Amra Sadikovic 6-2, 6-4 before hitting a bump in the road against compatriot Christina McHale, going down in the first set but finding a way to win in the end 6-7, 6-2, 6-4.
It set her up with Annika Beck whom she beat emphatically 6-3, 6-0 before earning a massive victory to launch her into the quarter-finals over Svetlana Kuznetsova 7-5, 6-0.
Williams then knocked over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4, 6-4 before booking her place in the final with a fast win over Elena Vesnina 6-2, 6-0.
The reigning Wimbledon champion hasn’t lost in a final at the tournament since back in 2008 however, she has gone down at the final hurdle two times this year with losses to Kerber at the Australian Open and Garbine Muguruza at the French Open.
2016 has been Angelique Kerber’s break-out year with the 28-year old leftie having claimed her first grand slam title earlier in the year at Melbourne Park.
Kerber is yet to drop a set at Wimbledon despite a tough road to the final.
The German kicked off her tournament against Brit Laura Robson 6-2, 6-2 before sending Varvara Lepchenko packing 6-1, 6-4.
Carina Witthoeft was next in her sights, going down 7-6, 6-1 before Misaki Doi was trumped 6-3, 6-1 in the fourth round.
Simona Halep gave Kerber a real challenge however, the Romanian was unable to defeat her as she climbed to a 7-5, 7-6 victory before a tussle with Williams’ sister Venus in the semifinals 6-4, 6-4.
Kerber has now won eight of her last ten matches following a first-round exit at the French Open earlier in the year and a third round loss to Carla Suarez Navarro at Birmingham.
She will go into this match as the outsider, however, she should not be underestimated with Serena staring down the possibility of failing to win a grand slam title in a full-rotation for the first time since 2011-12.
The pair have met on seven occasions with Williams winning five of those.
Their most recent encounter came during the 2016 Australian Open final when Kerber claimed her first grand slam title in three sets 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.
They have never played each other on grass.
Prediction
Serena Williams has a tough task on her hands but will come through with a hard-fought win.
Williams in three sets.
Join The Roar from 11pm (AEST) for live coverage.
Be sure to drop a comment in the box below if you’re watching the match.
You can find Riley on Twitter @rileypettigrew.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
That concludes The Roar's coverage of Serena Williams vs Angelique Kerber. Be sure to join Scott Pryde tomorrow night from 11pm (AEST) for live coverage of the men's final between Andy Murray and Milos Raonic. Elsewhere on The Roar, Nathan Farebrother has a Super Rugby double-header from 1:05am (AEST) with live coverage of Bulls vs Sunwolves and Sharks vs Cheetahs. Meanwhile Scott Pryde is currently live with Stage 8 of the Tour de France. Thanks for following along.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Around the Grounds Anastasia Potapova has defeated Dayana Yastremska 6-4, 6-3 to claim the girls' singles title. A star in the making. Earlier, Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid defeated Stephan Houdet and Nicolas Peifer on home soil 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 to claim the inaugural gentlemens' wheelchair doubles title.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Absolutely.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
There it is. What a match! Serena Williams is the 2016 Wimbledon Champion
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Williams: "Its such a great feeling to be out here. Thank you to God. My family, my whole team. Its just been great. I love playing her [Kerber], shes such a wonderful person to be around. Its been incredibly difficult not to think about [22nd grand slam title]. I've had a couple of tries this year, it makes the victory even sweeter to know how hard this was."
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Kerber: "I would like to say congratulations to Serena. You really deserve the title, you're a great player, you're a great person. Congratulations, you really deserve it Serena. It's the best feeling to play here on the centre court, its an honour to play here on this centre court. I would like to say thank you, you are just amazing. You are always supporting me, you have always believed in me. Thank you so much, I have the best team, the best family and the best friends."
AZ_RBB
Guest
Greatest of all time. Bar none.
Scott Pryde
Expert
That's a massive difference in the ace count. Congrats to Serena - thorougly deserved. Cheers Riley.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Williams' first serve proved to be the difference in the end. Aces: 13 - 0 Win on First Serve: 38/43 (88%) - 26/44 (59%)
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
FINAL Aces: 13 - 0 Double Faults: 3 - 1 Win on First Serve: 38/43 (88%) - 26/44 (59%) Win on Second Serve: 9/23 (39%) - 15/22 (68%) Net Points Won: 16/22 (73%) - 4/6 (67%) Break Points Won: 2/6 (33%) - 0/1 (0%) Receiving Points Won: 25/66 (38%) - 19/66 (29%) Winners: 39 - 12 Unforced Errors: 21 - 9 Total Points Won: 72 - 60 Serena Williams 7 6 Angelique Kerber 5 3
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
FINAL What a match! Serena Williams defends her title in an hour and 21 minutes. That is top quality tennis. Serena Williams 7 6 Angelique Kerber 5 3
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Williams on serve, she approaches the net and hits the winner. That's 22 grand slam titles and seven at Wimbledon! Serena Williams 7 6 Angelique Kerber 5 3
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Williams on serve, three easy points off first serve. Serena Williams 7 5 40 Angelique Kerber 5 3 0
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Kerber on serve, Williams breaks. Serena Williams 7 5 Angelique Kerber 5 3
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Kerber on serve, she forces two consecutive errors. Deuce. Serena Williams 7 4 40 Angelique Kerber 5 3 40
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Kerber on serve, she gets the point. What a match this is turning out to be! Serena Williams 7 4 15 Angelique Kerber 5 3 40
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Kerber on serve, rally at the net. Williams slips and Kerber hits a forehand volley winner. That has to be the best point all tournament! Serena Williams 7 4 15 Angelique Kerber 5 3 30
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Kerber on serve, she makes an unforced error. Serena Williams 7 4 15 Angelique Kerber 5 3 15
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Kerber on serve, Williams forces the error. Serena Williams 7 4 0 Angelique Kerber 5 3 15
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Can we have Beyoncé in the box at every match? What a dance to celebrate Williams holding serve. Serena Williams 7 4 Angelique Kerber 5 3