Serena Williams has stayed on track with her title mission to Wimbledon. In Thursday’s semi-final, Julia Görges is now waiting for the 23-time Grand Slam winner from the USA. And a final against Angelique Kerber is also possible. Serena Williams has great respect for the German duo.
From Ulrike Weinrich
Even after the complicated birth of daughter Alexis Olympia last September, Serena Williams’ hunger for the title has not waned. “She’s come back for more Grand Slam titles. For no other reason,” stressed her coach Patrick Mouratoglou recently.
And in Wimbledon the 36-year-old could theoretically still have two German players, first Julia Görges in the semi-finals and then theoretically Angelique Kerber in the final, in the way to Wimbledon coup number eight.
Serena Williams is definitely warned against “German Power” on Church Road. “Both are really great players. Highly professional, simply nice girls”, said the former number one after the 3:6, 6:3, 6:4 against Camila Giorgi (Italy) in the quarter-finals on Tuesday.
If you believe the younger of the Williams sisters, she does not see her third round victory at the French Open (6:3, 6:4) at the beginning of June against Görges as an advantage. “It doesn’t matter. It’s a completely new match, a different surface. We start from scratch,” emphasized the US icon, who is determined to win her first major trophy as a mother.
Serena Williams lost the Australian Open 2016 final against Kerber in three sets, but a few months later turned the tables in the Wimbledon final. She apparently missed the trial of strength with the German number one during her baby break. “We’ve had a lot of close matches against each other. Angie plays very well now, too. She’s very, very, very good here,” Williams praised competitor Kerber, against whom she has 6-2 victories.
On another matter, however, the seven-time London winner did not want to be looked into the cards. The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club is eagerly awaiting when Meghan Markle, the new Duchess of Sussex and wife of Prince Harry, will pay a visit to Church Road to her friend Serena. “I don’t know,” Williams said and grinned. And somehow one had the feeling that on Thursday in the semi-final against Görges is it so far and the Royal Box is richer around a prominent guest and noble fan.
Barbara Rittner, in any case, gives Julia Görges a chance against Serena Williams. “It will be crucial that Jule stays calm and doesn’t get hectic with the final in front of her eyes. That’s the key. But it’s easier said than done, because these emotions can catch up with and crush you,” said the DTB women’s boss in the tennisnet interview.