Kerber’s shot at second Slam title halted by Serena’s legendary serve

SW34 is TENNIS.com's Wimbledon blog providing on-site news, insight and commentary about a pair of legendary 34-year-olds, Roger Federer and Serena Williams.

LONDON—Angelique Kerber got the better of Serena Williams in the Australian Open final, but couldn’t repeat the feat on Saturday in the Wimbledon final, falling in a valiant effort, 7-5, 6-3.

As well as Kerber played—she was only broken twice—her spectacular shotmaking was ultimately surpassed by Williams’ impeccable serve, which has carried her through the fortnight on her way to her 22nd Grand Slam singles title.

“I can just say, I mean, Serena was serving unbelievable today,” Kerber said. “At the end I was trying everything, but she deserved it today. She really played an unbelievable match. I think we both play on a really high level. I try everything.”

Kerber did her best to match Williams from the baseline, but the biggest difference was that Williams could rely on her serve to bail her out, and that gave her confidence to go for the return games just a little more. Williams won 88 percent of her first-serve points, while Kerber won just 59 percent of hers. The American also hit 13 aces; the German hit none.

“I love playing [Kerber], she’s such a great opponent,” Williams said. “She brings out great tennis in me.”

Despite struggling with consistency this year, Kerber didn’t lose a set on her way to the final. She won her maiden Grand Slam title in Australia and a significant clay-court title in Stuttgart, but has also lost an opening-round match five times, including at Roland Garros. It’s safe to say that, even at 28, Kerber is still learning.

“I'm really thinking that I'm trying to improving my tennis, improving everything around, and also take a lot of experience,” Kerber said. “Now I know how to handle the pressure and everything when you win a big tournament, and also when you reach a Grand Slam [final].”

The lefty tried to embody that fearlessness that Williams referred to from their Melbourne match, using angled shots to pull the 34-year-old around the court. As is her mode, Kerber was getting plenty of balls back, forcing Williams to go for more—she made nine unforced errors to Serena's 21. But she needed to turn up her offense more, like she did in Melbourne, if she wanted to take the title from Williams again.

With both players holding serve until 5-6 in the first set, Kerber cracked just enough to give Williams an opening that she’d seize. The world No. 1 jumped on the her second break point of the game to bag the set, 7-5.

“I think I was still playing not bad,” Kerber said. “I think Serena was returning better there. She was just going for it.”

The second set featured another holding pattern, with both players serving their way to 3-3. Finally, Kerber’s efforts were rewarded at 3-3 with her first break chance at 30-40. Williams promptly struck an ace—the shot of the tournament—and then another. Kerber’s reaction said it all: She looked up at the sky, eyes rolled, hands raised.

“This is how Serena is playing,” Kerber said. “I had one break point, and I couldn't do nothing.”

After Serena refused to let up, Kerber suffered a letdown. She dropped her next service game, with Williams forcing three errors and Kerber sailing a wild backhand into the doubles alley. All that was left to do was watch Williams serve it out, which she did at love.

“I lost against a really strong Serena today,” Kerber said. “This makes a little bit better, that I know that she won the match, not that I lose the match, because she played very well. I also played a good match. That makes a little easier for me.

“After this amazing two weeks, I just can say that I give everything. Of course, I'm disappointed. But at the end I'm also proud about that what I did, also after Paris. I reach my second Grand Slam final in this year.”

Kerber was trying to become the first German since Steffi Graf in 1996 to win Wimbledon. Instead, Williams has finally, after two missed chances in major finals this year, matched Graf’s record of 22 Grand Slam titles.