Once the men’s semi-finals had finally concluded – a mere 26-and-a-half hours after they began – Angelique Kerber reminded everyone at Wimbledon that tennis can be short and sweet as well as long and arduous. Kerber needed just 65 minutes to upend the narrative of this fortnight and eject the undeniable heroine of SW19 – Serena Williams – in straight sets. Dramatic tension might have been lacking during her 6-3, 6-3 victory but the shock factor was huge. Williams choked up with tears as she spoke to Sue Barker at the presentation ceremony. She has talked all fortnight of the responsibility she felt to all the mothers of the world, and her desire to be a role model for them to follow. Some might have wondered whether she really meant those things, or whether she was simply out for the glory of an eighth Wimbledon title – which would, incidentally, have carried her level with Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24 majors. But after this emotional post-match interview, the argument is surely settled. “For all the mums out there, I was playing for you today and I tried really hard,” said Williams, her bottom lip wobbling in a manner that will surely convert a new generation of fans. During her most exalted spells at the top of the game, she has sometimes come across as untouchable and intimidating, but this was a very humanising moment. We have seen with other tennis champions how the heartfelt emotions of defeat can bring a new approachability to their public image.<doc-sep>Number 24 will have to wait. With an opportunity to tie Margaret Court's Grand Slam record on Saturday, Serena Williams came up short against Angelique Kerber at Wimbledon. Kerber was in the driver's seat all match, breaking Williams' serve four times and having her serve broken just once. Kerber won 6-3, 6-3, in a match that was never really in doubt. The match started out on Kerber's terms. Electing to receive the opening serve, Kerber broke Williams' serve to go up 1-0. Williams was able to break Kerber's serve for the first and only time in the fourth game of the set to tie it 2-2. From then on, however, it was all Kerber. She closed out the first set by breaking Williams' last two serves, ultimately winning five games in a row. Williams struggled on her second serve, winning it only 31 percent of the time. And while Kerber's serve wasn't dominant, it was controlled, which made all the difference. Only 65 percent of her first serves stayed in, but she won 59 percent of her second serves. It was an incredible run for Williams, but the change in level of competition showed. Williams didn't play a ranked player until Julia Gorges in the semifinals, where she dominated. However, Kerber wasn't going to be denied her third Grand Slam, and she's the best player Williams played all tournament. This year has been the best year of Kerber's career outside of 2016, and its peak is now becoming the first German player to win at Wimbledon. For the 36-year-old Williams, however, there's a ton to be optimistic about. She's just 10 months removed from having a baby and it's only her second major back from a pregnancy that kept her out of tennis for more than a year. She's 9-2 in that span. One of those losses was a retirement at the French Open, and the other was in a Grand Slam final. At this point, No. 24 feels like an inevitability. She cried after the match, saying that she was "happy to get this far. All the moms out there. I was playing for you today. I tried," per Jill Adge. However, even though No. 24 still could come, Saturday was about No. 3. It's Kerber's third Grand Slam, and she'll catapult from No. 11 up to No. 4 in the WTA rankings. She showed that 2018 is her year, and she made it to at least the quarterfinals in the Australian and French Opens. Now a Wimbledon champion, she just needs a win at Roland Garros to net the tennis cycle. You can relive every moment in our live blog below.<doc-sep>Serena Williams goes for her ninth Wimbledon crown Saturday, less than 11 months after dealing with blood clots following the birth of her daughter. Williams is a -210 sportsbook favorite (risk $210 to win $100) in the 2018 Wimbledon women's final over 11th-seeded Angelique Kerber of Germany, who's getting +175 (risk $100 to win $175). In eight career matches against Williams, Kerber has two wins. The former world No. 1 is gunning for her third Grand Slam title, first at the All England Club. Before you make your 2018 Wimbledon picks on the sides, total games or various props, you have to hear what British tennis expert Sean Calvert says. An Essex resident, Calvert has been releasing documented, profitable bets for six straight years, and he owns this event in his home country. In Wednesday's quarterfinals on the men's side, Calvert knew Roger Federer would be in for a long day against Kevin Anderson. The result: Calvert cashed big on over 33.5 games and Anderson plus-six games as Federer shockingly went down in a five-set thriller. Calvert also nailed +120 underdog John Isner beating Milos Raonic. For the 2018 Wimbledon, he's up nearly $700. It's not a fluke, either. In 2013 and 2016, Calvert called Andy Murray winning Wimbledon despite Novak Djokovic entering as the favorite each time. Before Wimbledon, Calvert struck it rich on Isner winning the Miami Open at 100-1. Calvert's legendary calls also include Stan Wawrinka winning the 2014 Australian Open at 60-1 and Jack Sock winning the 2017 Paris Masters at 80-1. Anyone who has followed him is way, way up. Now, Calvert has analyzed this must-see Wimbledon women's final and locked in two best bets. He's sharing them over at SportsLine. Calvert knows Williams, making her 10th Wimbledon final appearance, looks to have worked off the rust following her layoff. She had played only seven matches between winning the 2017 Australian Open and withdrawing injured from this year's French Open. Williams dominated Germany's Julia Gorges 6-2, 6-4 in the semis, while Kerber handled Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko 6-3, 6-3. Williams and Kerber also met in the 2016 Wimbledon final, with Williams winning 7-6, 6-3. But Kerber comes in this year with possibly a better chance to pull the upset. The left-hander made only seven unforced errors in the semifinals, while her opponent made 36. Kerber is hungry, focused and motivated following a disappointing 2017. Who wins Williams-Kerber? And how should you bet it? Visit SportsLine now to see Sean Calvert's detailed women's final picks, all from the acclaimed expert who called Andy Murray's surprise Wimbledon championships and just cashed in huge on Roger Federer's stunning loss.<doc-sep>
Sandra Harwitt USA TODAY Sports WIMBLEDON, England — Serena Williams will not be the fourth mother in the Open era of tennis to win a Grand Slam title, at least not at this year’s Wimbledon. The 36-year-old Williams was unable to find her timing against the talented southpaw Angelique Kerber, who dominated their Wimbledon final 6-3, 6-3 to win her third Grand Slam trophy in just 65 minutes Saturday. “It was such an amazing tournament for me,” said Williams, who was choked up after the match. “I was really happy to get this far. It’s obviously disappointing, but I can’t be disappointed because there’s so much to look forward to. To all the moms out there I was playing for you today, and I tried.” Williams, who was looking to tie Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam titles, was playing in her first major final since giving birth to daughter, Alexis Olympia, last September. She won her 23rd Grand Slam title while pregnant at the 2017 Australian Open, which was the last tournament she played until Indian Wells in March of this year. Kerber tumbled to the court and put her hand over her mouth in disbelief at how swiftly the victory came. In a move of great sportsmanship, Williams went over to Kerber’s side of the court and embraced the new Wimbledon champion. More:Meghan, Kate take in Wimbledon from Royal Box More:Tiger Woods cheers on Serena Williams in Wimbledon final More:Novak Djokovic beats Rafael Nadal for spot in Wimbledon final The German, who made only five unforced errors to 24 for Williams, then went up to her player’s box to hug everyone, and where her mother was in tears. “It’s just a dream come true,” said Kerber, telling Williams she is an inspiration to all the moms in the world. “You will have your next Grand Slam, and you will have it soon I am sure.” Kerber, the first German woman to win at Wimbledon since Steffi Graf won her last time here in 1996, was spot-on to near perfection in the match. The German was in control from the time they stepped out on the court. While she remained focused throughout, marking her time until she found the right moment to become aggressive, Williams became anxious and was going for too much at the wrong moments. This was only Williams’s fourth tournament back from maternity leave and she now has a 11-3 record in matches played since returning. This was a repeat encounter of the 2016 final, which marked the last time Williams played at Wimbledon. On that occasion, Williams was the victor, posting revenge for the loss in the 2016 Australian Open final, which marked Kerber’s first Grand Slam victory.