LONDON, UK - Serena Williams continued to add to her world's-best Grand Slam tally Saturday, beating Venus Williams in straight sets, 76(3) 62, in the Wimbledon final for the 11th major singles title of her career.
The first set went completely on serve through the tie-break, with the No.3-seeded Venus the only one coming close to a break, holding double break point in No.2 seed Serena's fourth service game. In the tie-break it was Serena who came through though, racing out to a 6-2 lead and after barely missing a forehand winner on her first set point, pulling off a spectacular backhand lob winner on her second to tuck the opening set away, 7-3.
The first four games of the second set went to the server too but from there an inspired Serena went on a tear while Venus seemed to lose her way, and the younger one reeled off four games in a row - including two breaks of serve, and an entertaining final game in which Venus saved three match points before succumbing - to win Grand Slam singles title No.11, her third Wimbledon.
"It feels so amazing. I feel so blessed," Serena said to Sue Barker in her on-court interview. "I can't believe I'm holding this trophy. It's named for Venus. It hasn't settled in that I won yet. I'm so excited. Thanks to everyone for their support. I'm honored to be out here. I'm already looking forward to the doubles."
"Today she was too good, she had an answer for everything. She played the best tennis today," Venus said. "I'm still smiling though, I don't think the loss has set in yet! I've had so many great times here. I love what I do and most of all I love playing these finals. I'll see you all again next year, of course."
Serena becomes the first player in women's tennis history to save match point en route to a Grand Slam singles title three times, having done so at the 2003 Australian Open (against Kim Clijsters in the semifinals), the 2005 Australian Open (against Maria Sharapova in the semifinals) and right here at 2009 Wimbledon (saving a match point down 5-4 in the third set en route to a 67(4) 75 86 win over Elena Dementieva in the semifinals).
Serena and Venus were both playing in their 14th Grand Slam singles finals, with Serena improving to 11-3 and Venus falling to 7-7. Venus had won 34 consecutive sets at Wimbledon, a stretch dating back to her 62 36 75 win over Japan's Akiko Morigami in the third round in 2007. Venus has won Wimbledon five times before, in 2000, 2001, 2005 and the last two years; Serena has the 2002, 2003 and 2009 titles. The only other players in the last 10 years to win here are Maria Sharapova (2004) and Amélie Mauresmo (2006).
