Simona Halep won her first Wimbledon title and kept Serena Williams from winning her eighth on Saturday. Halep defeated Williams 6-2, 6-2 on Centre Court for her second major title.

Williams was trying to win her record-equaling 24th Grand Slam singles title, but she failed in a final for the third time. Williams lost to Angelique Kerber in last year’s Wimbledon final and lost to Naomi Osaka in the championship match at the U.S. Open.

Williams still holds the record for most major singles titles in the professional era with 23, one more than Steffi Graf. But Margaret Court, who won 13 of her Grand Slam singles titles in the amateur era, has 24 overall.

Halep, who won last year’s French Open title, had only three unforced errors to Williams’ 25 in the final. </s> United States’ Serena Williams returns to Czech Republic’s Barbora Strycova in a Women’s semifinal singles match on day ten of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Thursday, July 11, 2019. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Serena Williams goes for her 24th Grand Slam title when she faces Simona Halep in the Wimbledon final. Williams is already a seven-time champion at the All England Club. Halep is appearing in her first final at Centre Court. Her only major championship came at the French Open last year. Williams has beaten Halep nine times in their 10 previous matches. If Williams wins this one, she will equal Margaret Court’s record for most Grand Slam singles titles. But Court won 13 of her major trophies before professionals were admitted to Grand Slam tournaments, while all 23 of Williams’ major titles have come in the Open era, which began in 1968.

No. 1 Novak Djokovic beat No. 23 Roberto Bautista Agut 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2; No. 2 Roger Federer beat No. 3 Rafael Nadal 7-6 (3), 1-6, 6-3, 6-4.

45 — Number of strokes in a point won by Djokovic, the longest on record at Wimbledon, where such stats date to 2005.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“You don’t get to a Wimbledon finals playing average, you know.” — Roger Federer talking about having a winning mentality. </s> LONDON (Reuters) - Simona Halep became the first Romanian to win a Wimbledon singles title after she beat seven-times champion Serena Williams 6-2 6-2 in the final on Saturday.

It was Halep’s second Grand Slam title following her triumph at Roland Garros last year.

The result denied Williams from equaling Margaret Court’s all-time record of winning 24 Grand Slam singles titles. </s> SENERA Williams's place among the legends of tennis is assured but her mission will not be accomplished unless she at least equals Margaret Court's record haul of 24 Grand Slam singles titles.

The 37-year-old American gets a third chance in a year to go level with the Australian legend when she plays another former world No.1, Simona Halep, in the Wimbledon final on Saturday night (AEST).

Aside from the one-on-one rivalry on court, both women have a member of the royal family rooting for them - Williams's friend Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and Halep favouring Kate, Duchess of Cambridge.

Williams will hope for a happier ending after eing outplayed by Angelique Kerber in last year's Wimbledon final and Naomi Osaka in the US Open final, where a spectacular meltdown torpedoed the American's cause and led her to eventually consult a therapist.

Halep, the first Romanian woman to play in the Wimbledon final, has the weaponry to upset Williams.

However, she will want her serve to be more reliable than it was in the early stages of her ultimately easy semi-final win over Elina Svitolina.

The 27-year-old has won just one of the four Grand Slam finals in which she has appeared - last year's French Open.

Williams and Halep square off at 10.45pm (AEST) on Saturday night, with Seven's coverage starting on 7mate in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth before switching to 7.

Sydney - 10.45pm on 7mate, 11.15pm on Channel 7; Melbourne - 10.45pm on Channel 7; Brisbane - 10.45pm on 7mate, 11.15pm on Channel 7; Adelaide - 10.15pm on Channel 7; Perth - 8.45pm on 7mate, 11.15pm on Channel 7.

Williams has won nine of the 10 matches the pair have played, including all three times in grand slams (2019 Australian Open round of 16 - 6-1 4-6 6-4; 2016 US Open quarterfinal 6-2 4-6 6-3; 2011 Wimbledon second round 3-6 6-2 6-1).

Both players benefited from a number of early exits by top players in the women's draw. Williams only faced two seeds - Julia Goerges (18) and Carla Suarez Navarro (30) - while Halep only played one - Elina Svitolina (8).

Williams - First round: Giulia Gatto Monticone (ITA) 6-2 7-5; Second round: Kaja Juvan (SLO) 2-6 6-2 6-4; Third round: Julia Goerges (GER) 6-3 6-4; Round of 16: Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP) 6-2 6-2; Quartefinal: Alison Riske (USA) 6-4 4-6 6-3; semi-final: Barbora Strycova (CZE) 6-1 6-2.

Halep - First round: Aliaksandra Sasnovich (BLR) 6-4 7-5; Second round: Mihaela Buzarnescu (ROM) 6-3 4-6 6-2; Third round: Victoria Azarenka (BLR) 6-3 6-1; Round of 16: Coco Gauff (USA) 6-3 6-3; Quartefinal: Zhang Shuai (CHN) 7-6 (7/4) 6-1; semi-final: Elina Svitolina (UKR) 6-1 6-3.

Williams is gunning for her eighth Wimbledon crown, which would take her past German great Steffi Graf and behind only nine-time champion Navratilova. Here's a look at her seven previous wins:

Serena defeats two-time defending champion and sister Venus to win her first Wimbledon singles title. Serena also claims the world No.1 ranking for the first time, adding the All England Club crown to her win the previous month at the French Open.

Serena clinches her second straight Wimbledon crown with victory coming in the wake of her defeat to Justine Henin in the Roland Garros semi-finals. Venus struggled with an abdominal and thigh injury that affected her serve and movement as the final went on. "She's tougher than I ever thought she was," said Serena. "I knew she was tough but she's gone on to a whole different level. To play today knowing she was injured, she's definitely up there with the real fighters and champions."

Serena again defeats her sister, the two-time defending champion. It is her third Wimbledon singles title and 11th Grand Slam singles trophy overall. She takes victory after having saved a match point against Elena Dementieva in the semi-finals. Venus was attempting to become the first player to win the women's singles title for three consecutive years since Steffi Graf from 1991-1993.

World No.1 Serena powers past Vera Zvonareva in just 66 minutes to win a fourth Wimbledon, preserving her record of not having dropped a set in the process. It is her 13th Grand Slam singles title.

The 30-year-old American wins a fifth Wimbledon and 14th major, becoming the oldest winner since Martina Navratilova in 1990. The younger Williams sister draws level with Venus on five titles at the tournament. Radwanska is the first Polish woman in a Grand Slam final since 1939.

A 21st major for Serena as she adds Wimbledon to her Australian and French Open titles in 2015, completing the "Serena Slam" having also won the US Open in the previous year. "There was definitely pressure towards the end. Garbine started playing really well and I just had to think to stay out there and work really hard," she said. Serena was unable to complete the calendar Grand Slam when she went on to lose in the semi-finals in New York to Roberta Vinci.

A seventh Wimbledon for the American and 22nd Grand Slam title, equalling Steffi Graf's Open era record of major titles. "It makes the victory even sweeter to know how hard I worked hard for it. This court definitely feels like home," she said. </s> Simona Halep wins her first Wimbledon title, beating Serena Williams in less than an hour

Simona Halep has beaten Serena Williams to claim her first ever Wimbledon title.

The former World Number One beat the American in straight sets, taking the first 6-2.

She served for the Championship, to make the second 6-2.

If Williams had won, it would have been her eighth Wimbledon title and her 24th Grand Slam.

Despite a strong start in the second set from Williams, the Romanian was able to overcome and won her first grass Grand Slam title.

Halep, 27, also denied Williams the opportunity to equal the record for most Grand Slam titles, currently held by Margaret Court.

The match took less than an hour, and is one of the shortest finals ever played.

Halep has recently spoken of enjoying playing on grass. Her only other Grand Slam title came from the French Open last year, played on clay.

She has not previously been a fan of grass, but found her game at this year's Wimbledon. In the semi-finals she saw off Elina Svitolina, losing just four games.

The ladies' final was attended by dozens of celebrities as well as Williams' close friend, Meghan the Duchess of Sussex.

She sat alongside her sister-in-law Catherine the Duchess of Cambridge.

Also spotted in the stands were Jodie Whittaker, Aidan Turner, Lily James, Gill Brook and Theresa May, enjoying her last Wimbledon as Prime Minister.

For Williams, it's the second year in a row she's made it to the Wimbledon final and been beaten - losing to Angelique Kerber last year.

After the match, Williams said Halep "literally played out of her mind".

She said: "It was a little bit 'deer in the headlights' for me. Whenever someone plays like that you just have to take your hat off and nod your head."

Williams has not played any matches before Wimbledon and teamed up with former world number one Andy Murray to get more matches in the mixed doubles.

Halep was asked if she ever played a better match than that, and said: "Never."

She said: "I came on court and gave my best.

"It's something very special and I will never forget this day. It was my mum's dream that I would play the final of Wimbledon - thanks to my parents."

Paying tribute to her opponent, she said: "It was the best match and Serena always inspired us. I have worked a lot for this moment, it is hard to explain so I feel great."

Speaking about her new love for grass, Halep said she did lots of work to change her game to adapt for grass courts.

She said: "It was an amazing year, an amazing tournament, I can't wait to come back."

Halep said she had hoped she would see the Duchess of Cambridge, and admitted she was "excited" to meet the royals after, having been unaware she would be greeted by the family after the match.

Halep made just three unforced errors throughout the match, while Williams racked up 26.

It's the third consecutive Grand Slam final Williams has lost with the record-equalling target in her mind. She lost Naomi Osaka in the US Open last September.

She has not won a tournament since the 2017 Australian Open, when she was pregnant. She took a year off the tour after Olympia was born, and has dealt with injuries since her return.

Tennis great Billie Jean King tweeted: "Congratulations to @Simona_Halep on a tremendous win. One of the most perfectly executed matches I've ever seen. She's Romania's first-ever singles champion! Incredible tennis." </s> Roger Federer is one victory away from a ninth Wimbledon title. Four-time champion Novak Djokovic is standing in the way. Federer and Djokovic will meet in the men's final at the All England Club for the third time. Djokovic won both of those previous matchups, in 2014 and 2015. Federer did get the better of Djokovic at Wimbledon on Centre Court once, beating the Serb in the semifinals in 2012. Federer, who is 37, is going for his 21st major title, while Djokovic, 32, is eyeing his 16th. Djokovic leads their head-to-head series 25-22, including 9-6 at Grand Slam tournaments.

Switzerland's Roger Federer returns to Spain's Rafael Nadal in a Men's singles semifinal match on day eleven of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Friday, July 12, 2019. (Adrian Dennis/Pool Photo via AP)

3 - Unforced errors made by Simona Halep, the fewest on record in a Wimbledon final.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"The day I stop fighting for equality and for people that look like you and me will be the day I'm in my grave." - Serena Williams, responding to a reporter's question at her post-match news conference.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic returns to Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut in a Men's singles semifinal match on day eleven of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Friday, July 12, 2019. (Andy Rain/Pool Photo via AP)

Romania's Simona Halep poses with the trophy after defeating United States' Serena Williams during the women's singles final match on day twelve of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Saturday, July 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

United States' Serena Williams reacts after losing a point to Romania's Simona Halep, background right, during the women's singles final match on day twelve of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Saturday, July 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland) </s> WIMBLEDON, England (AP) — Simona Halep was not focused on trying to prevent Serena Williams from winning a 24th Grand Slam title. All Halep cared about was winning Wimbledon for the first time.

Pretty much perfect from start to finish, Halep beat Williams 6-2, 6-2 in stunning fashion in the final at the All England Club on Saturday.

The whole thing took only 56 minutes.

Halep made only three unforced errors, a remarkably low total and 23 fewer than Williams.

This is the third consecutive Grand Slam final lost by Williams as she tries to equal the all-time record with 24 major trophies. She was the runner-up to Angelique Kerber at Wimbledon a year ago. </s> MELBOURNE — Serena Williams continued to make history at the Australian Open when she won her 23rd career Grand Slam title on Saturday night.

The 35-year-old Serena Williams had to turn aside her older sister, Venus, at 36 the oldest Australian Open finalist in the Open Era, in a 6-4, 6-4 final victory. This was the Grand Slam contested by the two oldest women’s finalists in the Open Era.

The two sisters shared a long hug on court after the 1 hour, 22 minute match, once again, seeming to defy any possibility of sibling rivalry.

“I really would like to take this moment to congratulate Venus, she’s an amazing person,” Serena said of her sister. “There’s no way I’d be at 23 (titles), or I’d be at one. She’s my inspiration. Thank you Venus for inspiring me to be the best player I could be.”

This was Venus Williams’ 15th Grand Slam final — she’s won seven in her career, but has lost both Australian Open finals she’s played.

This was Venus’ first trip to a Grand Slam final since she lost to Serena at the 2009 Wimbledon Championships. In 2011, she was diagnosed with Sjogren’s Syndrome and it took her time to be able to combat the autoimmune disease.

“To enjoy this moment and be breathing, this is a beautiful thing,” Venus said. “I’m so happy to be able to play in front of you. Serena WIlliams — that’s my little sister, you guys. Congratulation Serena on winning No. 23 and I’ve been there alongside you, sometimes against you. I’m enormously proud of you.”

Serena continues her record as the oldest women’s champion at a major in the Open Era — she also held that record when she won the 2016 Wimbledon title at 34 years and 287 days old.

The victory moves Serena ahead of Steffi Graf, who has 22 Grand Slam titles, to own the record of Grand Slam titles won by a woman in the Open Era.

Serena is now just one Grand Slam singles trophy behind equaling Australian Margaret Court’s record of 24 major titles that bridged the pre-Open and Open Eras. Court was on hand in Rod Laver Arena watching as Serena Williams inched closer to her record.

Serena’s win also returns her to the world No. 1 ranking, which she surrendered to Angelique Kerber after the German won her second Grand Slam title of 2016 at the U.S. Open in September.

The sisters have played 28 times in their career with this being their 15th at a Grand Slam. They played their first career match against each other here at Melbourne Park in 1998 — it was a second round match that the 17-year-old Venus won over the 16-year-old Serena.

Serena has now beaten Venus 17 times with 10 of their outings at the majors. They’ve played in nine Grand Slam finals with Serena winning seven of those meetings. </s> Simona Halep has stunned Serena Williams to claim her maiden Wimbledon title with a 6-2 6-2 demolition of the American that stunned the tennis world.

After taking the opening set in just 26 minutes it appeared Williams was set to make more of a contest of the second but at 2-2 Halep got what would prove the decisive break.

"Simply irresistible - Williams is in real trouble now," Sam Smith said on commentary and co-commentator Tracy Austin agreed.

"She is in the zone, it's like Halep is there before Serena even hits it," Austin said.

Halep then went on to hold and break Williams again before serving the match out in just 56 minutes to claim her second career slam title, to go with her 2018 French Open.

The win makes Halep the first Romanian player to win Wimbledon, eclipsing the great Ilie Nastase, who made the final in London in both 1972 and 1976.

For Williams it was another crushing defeat in a grand slam final, as she again tried in vain to tie Margaret Court's record of 24 major titles.

She has now lost her last three slam finals: the 2018 Wimbledon final to Angelique Kerber, the 2018 US Open final to Naomi Osaka and this Wimbledon decider to Halep.

Williams was never really in the match and admitted to being a "deer in the headlights" in her on court interview post-match.

Williams started the match looking nervous and Halep broke the American in her opening two service games as Williams committed multiple unforced errors.

Halep then rattled through the first set in 26 minutes as commentator Sam Smith opined "this wasn't in the script".

She was right - but it was entertaining and from Halep one of the best displays of tennis of her career.

Asked on court after the match if she had played better, Halep had a resounding answer.

"Never," she said. "It was the best match - I have worked a lot for this moment. I have no words to explain, I feel great."

And so she should, the performance was almost flawless.

Early on Halep would hold for a 4-0 lead in the first set before Williams finally steadied to hold serve at 1-4 - the first set though was gone in the blink of an eye.

The second was just the same and it was bizarre to see one of the greats of the game unable to do anything about the performance of her opponent.

John McEnroe described the Romanian's performance as "unbelievable" before comparing it to his 1984 6-1 6-1 6-2 annihilation of Jimmy Connors in the men's final.

"There's literally five matches or less that you feel like you're in the zone from start to finish and that was one of them," McEnroe said before being asked if it was like his '84 masterpiece.

"It does bring back some memories and it does feel unbelievably good and that's why you won't be able to get that smile off her face for the next month."
Simona Halep defeats Serena Williams (6–2, 6–2) to win the 2019 Wimbledon women's singles championship, her first Wimbledon victory and her second Grand Slam singles title. Williams was attempting to equal Margaret Court's all-time record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles.