Wimbledon 2010: Serena Williams to meet Zvonareva in 2010 Wimbledon final, men’s semi-finals today
World No.1 Serena Williams defeated Petra Kvitova to book her place in this year’s Wimbledon’s final. American Williams ousted un-seeded Czech Petra Kvitova to seal her place in final against Russian Vera Zvonareva. Williams won the match in straight sets with the score of 7-6(7-5) and 6-2.
Kvitova, who is ranked 62 in the World tested the American with resolute and determination. From the beginning of the match, 20-year old Kvitova showed that she was going to be no pushover as she impressed the crowd at Centre Court with her ferocious forehand. She started the match confidently as she won the break point in the opening game. The left-hander saved a break point in the next game before sealing the game to take a two game-to-love lead. She showed full flair and energy in her game during the time she was involved in long and grueling rally battles with the American. She also produced some exquisite shots.
On the other hand, Serena Williams seemed under pressure as she struggled with her forehand and paid the price when she was broken in fifth game. Additionally, breezy conditions did not help the American’s cause. However, she fought back as she broke the Czech’s serve to level scores at 4-4. Stalemate led to the tiebreak where Williams eventually found her feet.
Williams’ first serve in tiebreak was challenged by Kvitova but Hawk-Eye showed that the chair umpire made the right decision. The decision provided some sort of motivation to Williams as her game changed completely afterwards. She finally converted the third set point with her 115mph service that was even too fast for agile Kvitova. Kvitova showed some resolute in second set but it was too late as Serena had found her form and flow. Serena took a 5-2 lead in the second set as she established dominance over her young opponent. A double fault handed Williams her second break which she converted to seal the match with bit of luck. The drop hit the net and faded out of reach for a desperate running Kvitova.
In the other semi-final, Vera Zvonareva booked her place in the final when she beat un-seeded Tsvetana Pironkova. Zvonareva defeated the Bulgarian with the score of 3-6, 6-3 and 6-2. Russian Zvonareva looked slow and uncomfortable in the start of her semi-final encounter. World No. 82 Pironkova shocked Zvonareva as she broke her in the opening set to take the lead which she later converted into a set. Zvonareva finally found her flow as she came back in the second set to break her opponent’s serve in the sixth game.
After leveling the set score, Zvonareva kept her momentum as she broke Pironkova in the opening game of the final set. Zvonareva held her serve in subsequent sets as she sealed the match. A miscued Bulgarian backhand ended the one hour and forty-six-minute match in which Russian Zvonareva came out on the top.
Meanwhile, in men’s action Andy Murray kept British hopes alive as he progressed to the semi-finals. Andy Murray demolished Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to reach the last four. Murray won the match with the score of 6-7, 7-6, 6-2 and 6-2. After ousting the Frenchman, Murray will now meet World No.1 and 2008 Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal for a place in the final. Tsonga was all over the place as he sealed the first set in tiebreak. But Murray fought back as he too won the second set in a tiebreak. Winning the second set increased Murray’s confidence as he kept his juggernauts running to seal the third and fourth set easily.
After this victory, the hope of a British player winning Wimbledon has been exponentially fueled. Last time any British player won the title was back in 1936. And after the exit of Roger Federer, the expectations have further intensified. But Murray will need to overcome Rafael Nadal to reach the final. If, he makes it to the final, he can either meet former Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic or Tomas Berdych. Berdych earlier defeated Roger Federer to surprise tennis watchers all over the world.
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