The pair had met three times previously, with William winning each match, the most recent in the 2017 Australian Open.
Williams served first and a backhand winner took her to 30-0. A double fault didn’t faze the champion, who held for 1-0. Strycova levelled at 1-1, but couldn’t equalise in game four, where after leading 40-30, the Czech player watched Williams strike a forehand cross court winner. Next, Strycova failed with a drop shot attempt, and on break point, Williams delivered an even better forehand than earlier to break for 3-1.
A love game consolidated the break.
Williams lost the first point in game six, then rattled off the next four, beginning with a backhand pass and followed by a forehand down the line. A stunning backhand produced break point, and it came when Strycova hit a backhand out of court.
Against the run of play, Williams, when serving for the set, fell behind 0-40. A Strycova backhand pass and a lucky net cord were two of the reasons for the predicament. No trouble too big for Williams though. A service winner and brilliant forehand winner from the American racquet, and a wild Strycova forehand saved the break points; eventually the set was won 6-1, an ace ending it.
The first four games of set two went to serve, and at 2-2 Strycova was at the line. At 30-30, Strycova threw in a double fault, and on break point she dumped a backhand into the net. Williams ahead 3-2. After consolidating with a love game, Williams decided to give herself the comfort of a double break. Strycova opened with a forehand winner, but the Williams reply consisted of two off forehands, one a clean winner. Break points came with another failed drop shot. One saved with a netted return. The next converted with a Czech volley gone way wide.
Serving for the match at 5-2, Williams trailed 15-30. However, a sliced serve caught Strycova out of place, and an angled forehand from Williams caused all sorts of trouble, bringing up match point.
A forehand put away finalised the contest 6-1 6-2, and Serena Williams won her way into an eleventh Wimbledon final, where she will attempt to capture an eighth crown, and equal the Margaret Court record of 24 majors.
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