Serena finally catches Steffi: Andy Murray wins 2nd Wimbledon title

Serena Williams (Getty Images)

Serena Williams was able to finally tie the 22 grand slam record of Steffi Graff when she defeated Angelique Kerber 7-5, 6-3 in the Wimbledon ladies final. This was Serena’s fourth attempt at tying Steffi’s record. In the previous grand slam tournaments Serena came up a little short but that was not the case at Wimbledon. This was the second grand slam meeting between Serena and Kerber this year. The two played each other earlier in the year at the Australian Open, where Kerber was able to defeat Serena in three tight sets.

Though the score might not have indicated it it was a close contested match between the two ladies. The two women participated in some long crowed pleasing rallies that showed off their defensive skills however in the end the difference was the serve of Serena. Serena finished the match with 13 aces, one which was produced when she faced a break point. With that said Kerber, who usually has trouble holding serve, was only broke twice. Unfortunately, those breaks came at crucial times in the match. One came at 5-6 and gave Serena the set, while the other break came at 3-4 and allowed Serena to successfully serve out the match for the championship.

After Wimbledon Serena talked to reporters about the struggles she faced after failing to win the calendar slam last season and how it has been affecting her play this season. According to Serena, “she didn’t feel like herself” and after texting with coach Patrick Mouratoglou, after the French Open, she knew she could do better. That she did. Serena not only shares the number of 22 grand slams with Steffi but she shares the number of Wimbledon Championships won, at seven apiece. It is also worth mentioning that after winning the singles title, Serena came back later that day and won her 14^th doubles title with older sister Venus.

On the men’s side Andy Murray extended his British heroics by winning his second Wimbledon title. Murray won a pretty straightforward match against, first time grand slam finalist Milos Raonic. This was an expected victory after Murray’s biggest rival, world number one, Novak Djokovic, was knocked out early in the tournament by American Sam Querrey. The chances of Murray further increased when Raonic knocked out seven time Wimbledon champion, Roger Federer, in the semifinals.

For Murray it was all about dealing with the pressure of being the favorite for the first time in a grand slam final. Murray was able to prove that he could handle it by closing, the big serving Raonic, out in three tight sets.