Wimbledon women’s singles final
- What: Angelique Kerber (11th seed) vs. Serena Williams (25th seed)
- When: Saturday 14 July
- Start time: 2pm (UK time)
- Where: Centre Court, All England Club
- TV channel: live on the BBC
It’s a repeat of the 2016 women’s singles final as Angelique Kerber and Serena Williams go head-to-head for the title on Centre Court at Wimbledon on Saturday.
Two years ago Williams defeated her German opponent 7-5, 6-3 and the American star is hotly tipped to win her seventh Wimbledon singles crown. Should Williams succeed she would equal Margaret Court’s record of 24 career grand slam titles.
Williams missed most of last season after giving birth to her first child, daughter Alexis Olympia, in September. It’s only her fourth tournament back on the tennis circuit and even she is surprised to reach another slam final.
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“It’s crazy. I don’t even know how to feel because I literally didn’t expect to do this well in my fourth tournament back in 16 months,” 25th seed Williams said after beating Julia Goerges in the semis.
Despite being favourite for the 2018 title, Williams admits it’s “not inevitable”, the BBC reports. “It’s no secret I had a super tough delivery,” she added. “I lost count after, like, four surgeries because I was in so many surgeries. There was a time I could barely walk to my mailbox.
“It’s like, come on guys, this is pretty awesome. To hear people say, ‘Oh, she’s a favourite’ - the last 16 months, I’ve played four tournaments, and was carrying another human half that time. It’s interesting.
“I was expecting a few more baby steps myself. Again, I’ve said it all week, this is only my fourth tournament back. [But] every time I go out there, I want to take a giant step forward, keep taking giant steps, but keep improving.”
‘I have to play my best to beat her’
Kerber is a two-time grand slam champion after winning the Australian Open and US Open in 2016. The 30-year-old knows she will have to be at her best against Williams.
“[When I see Serena] I see a champion, that’s for sure,” 11th seed Kerber told wtatennis.com. “Serena is one of the best players in the world. We had so many great matches in the last years. To see her back, it’s great.
“I know that she is always pushing you to the limits to play your best tennis. This is the only chance to beat her. I think it is a completely new match [from 2016]. I think we both learned a lot. She’s coming back. For me also, I’m coming back from 2017.
“I know that I have to play my best, best tennis to beat her, especially on the grass, on the Centre Court, where she won so many titles here. I’m looking forward to playing against her. It’s always an honour playing against her.”
Kerber vs. Williams predictions
Lukas Weese, Last Word on Tennis: “Serena’s serve is too good at the moment, which will counter Kerber’s return and ground strokes. Kerber needs to mix up her shots, giving Serena different pace and make her run the length of the court. It will be close but I think Serena pulls this off to tie Margaret Court’s Grand Slam total at 24. Prediction: Williams in two sets.”
Jay Sandhu, Last Word on Tennis: “Though Serena has played unbelievably well so far, she hasn’t faced a player like Kerber yet. The German will make her work for every point and will not offer many errors, unlike Serena’s previous opponents who were mostly big hitters. Kerber lost their last match-up two years ago in the final and will want revenge. She will also force many errors out of her opponent and I feel Kerber’s consistency will edge her to her third Slam title. Prediction: Kerber in three sets.”
Graham Caygill, TheNational.ae: “Kerber is back to her 2016 levels and if she had met Williams in the third or fourth round her chances would have greatly improved. But, Williams has six matches under her belt, comfortably her longest run of games since winning the 2017 Australian Open title, and with the momentum she now has she caps off her amazing return to the sport with her 24th Grand Slam title. Prediction: Serena Williams wins 2-1.”
Kerber vs. Williams betting odds
Latest prices according to Oddschecker (as of 13 July).
- Serena Williams to win: 1/2
- Angelique Kerber to win: 13/8
Set betting
- Williams 2-0: 5/4
- Williams 2-1: 7/2
- Kerber 2-0: 4/1
- Kerber 2-1: 5/1
