Serena feels the pain of ace display Czech out
Williams has sent down what in the women’s game is an unprecedented 80 untouched serves in the tournament so far and her booming assaults ultimately made the difference against Kvitova as she recovered an early break to win 7-6 (7/5) 6-2.
But that power has come at a price after Williams needed her shoulder taping during a doubles defeat alongside sister Venus on Wednesday. Williams joked: “I hit too many aces so my shoulder was done.”
After barging through to the last four barely needing to break sweat, Williams was expected to steamroller the world number 62 Kvitova, for whom the Centre Court appearance was also only her fourth tour-level semi-final. But such were the searing forehand winners flying off Kvitova’s racket early in the first set that Williams required every bit of her improved big serve to swing the match finally in her favour.
Williams said: “I didn’t hit that many aces but honestly I’ve never served that many aces. It’s weird and exciting. I’ve always relied on my serve to be good and strong but in the eve of my career it’s just got better.”
Aggression was always likely to be the order of the day on Centre Court but it was Kvitova who was first to show that quality as she pushed Williams back and broke in the fourth game in the match with a flashing forehand.
Pumping her fist on almost every point, Kvitova quickly endeared herself to a crowd who expected a match more along the lines of a repeat of the only previous meeting between the pair, which Williams won for the loss of only three games in Australia this year.
And even when Williams slammed home her advantage in the second set by seizing a double break and eventually closing out the match, there was time for Kvitova to win an extraordinary 19-stroke rally and earn the favourite’s respect.
“She’s a tough player and a big fighter,” said Williams. “It took me a while to get used to her serve but I try not to worry too much out there, it’s not the time. I think that I took my opportunities better in the second set.”
Williams said: “I’m still hoping to peak in the final. I won’t know until I play but hopefully I can serve even better than I did today and be more consistent off the ground. In the final you really want to play your best.”
Vera Zvonareva demonstrated her battling qualities, meanwhile, to come from a set down to reach her first Wimbledon final and vowed to make Williams fight all the way on Saturday.
The 25-year-old from Moscow defeated Bulgaria’s Tsvetana Pironkova 3-6 6-3 6-2 in the first semi-final on Centre Court to become only the third Russian in the Open era to reach the women’s final.
The bookmakers do not fancy her chances of emulating Maria Sharapova, Russia’s only other Wimbledon champion in 2004, but Zvonareva will relish the chance to defy the odds.
“You know, I’m very excited,” she said. “I think I haven’t realised it yet that I will be playing in the final.
“But it’s one of my dreams to be out there on the Centre Court and playing in the finals of Wimbledon.
“It’s going to be a tough challenge. Serena is a great player, the defending champion and very tough to play.
“But I always believe in myself. I think I will just have to go out there and try to play my best.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
