LONDON: Serena Williams of the US lifts the trophy after winning the Wimbledon final on Saturday.—Reuters

LONDON: Game. Set. Serena Slam.

Serena Williams won a sixth Wimbledon title on Saturday and fourth successive Grand Slam crown as the world number one became the oldest woman to win a Grand Slam crown by suppressing the spirited attacking instincts of 20th-seeded Spaniard Garbine Muguruza to win Saturday’s final 6-4, 6-4.

At 33 years and 289 days, Serena surpasses Martina Navratilova as the oldest player to win Wimbledon, and any of the other three Grand Slams, in the Open era.

Serena’s sixth Wimbledon crown brought with it a slew of other remarkable landmarks that underline her credentials as one of the greatest female athletes of all time.

The American’s 21st Grand Slam crown and 68th tour-level title earned her a cheque for 1.8 million pounds ($2.7 million, 2.5 million euros).

But it is her legacy rather than her bank balance that concerns Serena these days and she now holds all four Grand Slam titles at the same time — the rare ‘Serena Slam’ she last achieved in 2002-03.

“It feels so good. Garbine played so well. I didn’t even know it was over because she was fighting so hard at the end. She will be holding this trophy very, very soon. I am happy it was such a great match,” said Serena.

“I can’t believe I am standing here with another Serena Slam. It is so cool. It has been a pleasure and an honour to give so many years in this unbelievable place.”

Serena is the first woman to land the French Open and Wimbledon back-to-back since she last won that difficult double in 2002.

Lifting the Venus Rosewater Dish for the first time since 2012 also leaves Serena needing only to defend the US Open to become the first woman since Steffi Graf in 1988 to claim a calendar Grand Slam.

She is just one major title behind Graf on the Open era leaderboard and within three of all-time record holder Margaret Court’s tally of 24.

She is the first player since Graf in 1988 to win Wimbledon and the Australian and French Opens in the same year.

Garbine Muguruza hits a return to Serena Williams during the Wimbledon final.—AP

Given Serena’s 39-1 record in 2015 and her astonishing streak of 28 consecutive Grand Slam match victories, few would bet against the American making more history in New York in August.

Regardless of her defeat, Muguruza, 21, has emerged as one of the brightest young stars on the women’s tour after a bravura display in her first Grand Slam final appearance that often left Serena rattled.

“I enjoyed it a lot. I don’t have words to say how I feel. I’m very proud and happy to be here,” said Muguruza. “A Grand Slam final for me is a dream come true and I also want to say congrats to Serena, showing that she’s world number one.”

Muguruza began with calm authority and it was Williams who seemed to suffer an attack of the butterflies, hitting three double faults and facing four break points before losing her serve in the opening game.

But Serena eventually cranked into gear and started to find her range, forcing Muguruza to save two break points in the sixth game before the American got her reward on the Spaniard’s serve to level at 4-4.

Williams increased the pressure and, when Muguruza served a double fault to bring up set point, the top seed smashed a forehand winner before pumping her fist in celebration.

Muguruza was visibly deflated. She managed to hold her first service game, but was then subjected to a brutal barrage of winners from Williams, who broke twice for a 5-1 lead.

The Spaniard simply would not lie down, however, and broke back twice, going toe-to-toe with Williams from the back of the court and swinging her racket to brutal effect.

Just when it looked like she could force the match into a decisive third set, though, her serve collapsed and Williams forced three match points before the contest suffered an anti-climactic finish.

A Muguruza shot landed long and Williams stood still, unsure of the call and whether to celebrate or wait for a challenge.

It eventually dawned on her that she had clinched the title and she raised her arms to the sky before embracing the vanquished Muguruza.

Published in Dawn, July 12th, 2015

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