 Serena defends Wimbledon crown
2010-07-03 11:49:00
Wimbledon, England (Sports Network) - Serena Williams defended her Wimbledon crown by overpowering Vera Zvonareva in Saturday's final. The world No. 1 Williams posted a 6-3, 6-2 victory on Centre Court to claim her fourth singles title at the All England Club. She fired nine aces, finishing with a tournament-record total of 89, broke serve three times and never faced a break point en route to becoming a 13-time Grand Slam champion.
The American slugger, who did not drop a set at this year's event, beat her older sister Venus a year ago in the fourth all-Williams Wimbledon finale. This was the first time she defeated someone other than Venus in the championship.
The Williams sisters have now won nine of the last 11 Wimbledon titles.
In the first set, Williams broke the 21st-seeded Zvonareva for a 5-3 lead after the Russian saved a break point in the sixth game. Williams then broke the Russian to open the second stanza and again for a commanding 4-1 lead. Zvonareva held serve trailing 5-1 before Williams wrapped up the match, which took just 67 minutes.
The 28-year-old Williams captured her 37th career title on the WTA Tour and improved to 13-3 in Grand Slam finals.
"I'm just really happy. I feel so blessed," Williams said in a courtside interview of her latest accomplishment. Williams moved into sole possession of sixth place on the all-time list for Grand Slam titles, breaking a tie with Billie Jean King.
Zvonareva, meanwhile, was appearing in her first-ever major final. The last time a Russian reached the Wimbledon final was Maria Sharapova, who snapped Serena's bid for a three-peat in 2004.
"I'm a little disappointed at the moment," said the 25-year-old Zvonareva. "I wasn't able to show my best, but I think Serena didn't allow me to show my best."
Zvonareva, who fell to 1-6 lifetime against the younger Williams, was vying for her second title of the season after winning in Pattaya City in February.
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