Serena Williams maintained her 11-year dominance over Maria Sharapova, beating the Russian 6-2, 6-4 on Thursday to reach her 25th career Grand Slam final.
33-Year old World number one tennis star, Serena Williams has brushed aside fourth seed Maria Sharapova to set up a Wimbledon final against Spain's Garbine Muguruza. The American extended her winning run against Sharapova to 17 matches over 11 years with a 6-2 6-4 victory.
Serena was thrilled to reach her 25th Grand Slam final, saying: "I'm so excited. I got a bit nervous because it was a semi-final and it's a long time since I've been this far."
Sharapova had not beaten Williams since 2004, the year of her Wimbledon triumph over the American, and she was unable to prevent a 17th straight defeat. The Russian knew she had to defend her vulnerable serve better but successive double faults handed over the opening game, to groans around Centre Court.
Serena who adopted a policy during Wimbledon of not discussing the fact that she is close to holding all four major titles for the second time in her career when she achieved the feat in 2002-2003 said; "I don't want the pressure of that, and I'm not thinking of that. When you talk about it every time, you can't help but think about it. It's been OK just to free my brain from that."
After another defeat by Serena, Sharapova found it difficult to take much solace from the fact that she had at least reached a 20th Grand Slam semi-final.
"I think for many others, maybe if I was British, a semi-final would be incredible. I'd be on the front page of the paper, I know that. But I expect myself to be a champion of these events, and it's disappointing to come out as a loser because I know my level can be there, and my level can be at the point of holding these championship trophies. I know that that's what keeps me going forward."