Serena Williams v Zvonareva in Wimbledon Final

by Staff | July 1st, 2010, 11:32 pm
  • 71 Comments

Serena was expected, but No. 21-seeded Russian Vera Zvonareva?
ADHEREL
World No. 1 Serena Williams will meet the Russian in the Wimbledon final on Saturday after each advanced in not-so-easy fashion on Thursday. Zvonareva reached her first Grand Slam final by beating Tsvetana Pironkova 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, and Serena defeated Petra Kvitova 7-6(5), 6-2. Both losers in the semifinals were unseeded.

“It was one of my dreams to be out there on Centre Court, playing in the finals of Wimbledon,” Zvonareva said. “I’m sure when the tournament finishes, I’ll finally realize I was able to make the final and one of my dreams came true.”

Not real confident sounding.


Williams brings a 12-3 record in Grand Slam finals into the championship match, and is 3-2 in Wimbledon finals, lifting the trophy in 2002, 2003 and 2009. She was runner-up in 2004 and 2008. A heavy favorite in the final, the younger Williams sister is 5-1 career against Zvonareva, and this will be their first meeting on grass.

“Serena is a great player,” Zvonareva said. “It’s very difficult when she’s serving well, but there are moments she doesn’t make a first serve. I haven’t seen anyone make 100% of first serves. You just have to take your chances then. I remember I played a very good match against her in Cincinnati one year. It was a very, very tough one, but I was able to play the right way against her.”

The final is vindication for Zvonareva, who last year badly injured her right ankle, dropped out of the Top 5, then on her return won only 13 of her 23 matches.

“I was frustrated when my injuries weren’t going away, but I knew a soon as I felt 100%, I’d be able to play good tennis again,” Zvonareva said. “I can work hard every day, and I believe that if you work hard, you will achieve. It was a matter of time.”


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71 Comments for Serena Williams v Zvonareva in Wimbledon Final

Dan Martin Says:

I remember seeing Vera Z. win the 2006 mixed doubles title at Wimbledon and the commentators spoke about the pressure she puts on herself in singles and contrasted it to the joy she was exhibiting on the mixed doubles court. I thought it was cool she’d have a Wimbledon trophy (of sorts) and followed her with some hopes after that point. The crying at the USO last year convinced me she’d never reach this stage in singles. She obviously has a low chance of winning tomorrow, but …


grendel Says:

Was Martina Navratilova on the other side? Because I remember her talking about Zvonareva’s performance with awe – and that in itself is unusual, in that the woman is generally the junior partner. But I had the feeling from what Navratilova said that Zvonereva was the best player on the court.


margot Says:

Heart says Vera, nothing against Serena she is a mighty champ but that old mantlepiece is very overcrowded, might fall down on someone’s toe…
but head says Serena.


Kimmi Says:

if serena has an off day on serving vera will have a chance coz i feel her ground game has been excellent so far.

good luck


BT Says:

Did anyone catch this…

Serena and Vera about to walk out on court.

Wimbledon Staff member: “Serena, Vera will go our first and then you will go second”

Serena: “No I’ll go out first”

Wimbledonm Staff member: “Oh, ok”

LOL!


Ike Says:

Good morning / afternoon ladies and gentlemen,
Seems like people are lot quiet today, not following women’s final.


Kimmi Says:

great game for vera to hold


Kimmi Says:

serena is serving too good. the only thing vera can do is hold her serve and wait for oppertunities..ha easier said than done


Ike Says:

Hey Kimmi, u rooting for Vera, right?
me too. I think Serena perfect embodiment of what a bitch could be. (She has proved that again and again, last year’s US Open was the perfect example). The worst thing right now is having to listen to Mary Corrilo’s commentary and watching Serena play. I muted my TV :)


Ike Says:

agree with your comment Kimmi


Ike Says:

Hey BT
re.”Wimbledon Staff member: “Serena, Vera will go our first and then you will go second”

Serena: “No I’ll go out first”

That is exactly why people hate Serena. She is probably the worst mannered champion this sport has ever see


Ike Says:

Looks like first set (and probably the match) is done and dusted.


Kimmi Says:

wow – thats is for vera in this set


BT Says:

It’s a shame Clijsters got upset by Zvonereva in the quarters. I think a Serena Kim final would have been much more exciting.

Although at least she is making Serena work now to serve it out.


grendel Says:

awesome tennis from Serena. Doubt if there’s been anyone like her or will be again. Zvonereva playing pretty well – as I feared, she just doesn’t have quite enough power at her disposal. With a little bit more oomf going into those shots, and this match would be a lot closer.


Kimmi Says:

i meant. “thats it for vera in this set”

ike – i am rooting for vera just like i was rooting for muzza yesterday. but sadly i don’t see vera winning this.

her errors are not helping either.

still hoping for some kind of miracle though.


Kimmi Says:

vera needs to hold..oh no another break point


Kimmi Says:

awful, just awful from vera


contador Says:

i just woke up. that’s right, there is a final on.

but i watched serena’s semi and thought, poor vera.

has vera “gone off the boil” yet?


Kimmi Says:

oh no, contador, if you are rooting for vera it is not a fun match to watch. i am thinking of watching a movie or something.


BT Says:

Winners – SW:20 VZ:5

Completely outgunned.


Ike Says:

I think I am done with the Women’s final for today.

I will watch Germany vs. Argentina soccer match.I work for a German company, have German colleagues, so obviously I am rooting for Germany.
Ich wünsche Dir viel Glück – Deutschland!


Kimmi Says:

they just show nadal practicing, berdy better be doing the same here..practice those aces berdy


BT Says:

Which company Ike? I work for Siemens (German) but they beat my Aussies 4-1 in World Cup. Then again I really don’t like Argentina.


Ike Says:

Germany scores, GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!


Kimmi Says:

ah ike – i forgot about soccer. i will just join you there.

now brazil my fave have lost ..go argentina


Kimmi Says:

OMG ike – already german score its only 5 minutes have passed.

argentina better wake up


Kimmi Says:

i love the dark green or is it black colour germans are wearing today


BT Says:

This match is like watching a pitbull maul a small fluffy poodle.


Ike Says:

Everybody please root for Germany, (they are not “evil” anymore). Kimmi, Please root for Germany!!!

@ BT : I work for company called Meister.
Good to know you work for Siemens. Lot of our customers have machines that use Siemens control.
Are you located in Australia?


BT Says:

Hey Ike. Yeah in Aus. I actually work in Water Technologies division.


Kimmi Says:

“pitbull maul a small fluffy poodle.” hahahah

sadly, i agree


BT Says:

About to be put out of her misery


contador Says:

kimmi-

i have to go to the office this morning and dot all “i’s” cross all “t’s” filling out a stuff i did for, rather to, a study patient thursday. very dull but has to be done. a study Baxter is funding.

it’s pages upon pages and all has to be faxed by noon or i turn into a pumpkin or a punk or something!

later- have fun. this match is over. i hope the men’s final lasts longer.


Kimmi Says:

ike – germans should be the fave to win this. so I am the underdog king of a person

so go argentina.

go vera, oh is the match still going?

go berdy


Kimmi Says:

contador – enjoy the day, talk to you later, aso hoping for a more competative mens final.

BT – should i say congrats serena already?


BT Says:

Yeah. Vera is already giving her runner up speech.


Kimmi Says:

sorry for the typos in my posts.


Kimmi Says:

great speech

and very sad for her. her surgeon who did her ankle surgery is here..wow

sorry vera better luck next time


grendel Says:

Magnificent final point by both players. What occurs to me about Serena is this: she is by far – by far, by light years – the greatest woman server there has ever been, and it is hard to imagine that she will ever be matched in this department. But then, she is also by far the greatest ever female tennis athlete. And then there’s her ground game; that’s more fallible, especially the fh – but it’s still better than anyone else’s. Her volleying of course is first rate. She’s just a phenomenon, such allround excellence is unheard of so far as I can see.

Ever since the appearance of Richard Williams and his annoyingly arrogant statements, I’ve always hoped to see the Williams sisters get their comeuppance. For a while, it looked like Henin might be the candidate; no doubting her greatness, and pound for pound, she’s not far off Serena. But she’s not quite the player she was, and I can’t see her coming back.

Anyway, I have finally learnt to accede to the inevitable – and one has to admit, Serena Williams is just a player beyond imagination, and I think we are privileged to be able to watch her, you know.

Of course, it’s a bit tedious when someone is head and shoulders above everyone else, but the trick, I have discovered, is to stop hoping for the impossible and to sit back and enjoy the sort of skills you’ll probably never see again.


BT Says:

Yeah that was nice of her to invite him. Both pretty good speeches really.

Looking forward to a (hopefully) competitive match tomorrow. I want to see an even dogfight between two pitbulls. ;)


Kimmi Says:

congrats to serena 13 GS is amazing. she can get 20 if she continues like this..no one to challenge her at the moment


BT Says:

Nice post grendal!


Ike Says:

good thing about soccer….no commercials and no Mary Carilo!!!

@ BT ….that’s great, btw I do own some Siemens stocks :) Bought at very reasonable price during the 2008-09 market crash

@ Kimmi ….whole my life I have been rooting for underdogs. Btw, Argentina is not really that much of a underdog.


fed is afraid Says:

congrats to serena
a great champion
she will get 20 slams


margot Says:

Serena reminds me so much of Rafa, that’s not meant to be insulting as she is her own woman of course but..the moment an opponent blinks she is there and the match is virtually over, she is the most amazing athlete and on court between points and games she is so calm and so focused. I would guess for the women seeing her across the net is every bit as scary as the men seeing Rafa.
Only player I can match her to is Navratilova who today said Serena has the best serve ever.


Kimmi Says:

ike – yeah, not much of the underdog urgentina are.

1-0 to germans and we are on HALF TIME.

Argentina needs to equalize to make this game more interesting. c’moon


fed is afraid Says:

and rafa will make it eight tomorrow.
great times in tennis


Kimmi Says:

yes, geat post grendel


Ike Says:

@ Margot
let’s focus on soccer, since u British I don’t think you like Germans, but Argentina is not your friend either. If Maradona had not scored that “hand goal” in 1986, England MIGHT have had own that world cup!


Ike Says:

@ Kimmi,

If Klose had not missed that shot, it wud have been 2-0


grendel Says:

margot – I know what you mean about Nadal. I recall Serena refer admiringly to Nadal once. “The man’s an animal” she said – than which there could be no greater compliment from that source!
Of course Serena is an animal, a ferocious beast if ever there was one – but the serve, it’s just a thing of beauty. Have you ever seen such smoothness allied to such power – and I include men in this? Serena is kind of Nadal and Federer all in one – exaggeration, but you know what i mean.


Kimmi Says:

ike- maradona needs to bring plan B.

klose is dangerous. he had some wonderful goals in previous matches.

go maradona, bring plan B, we want a real dogfight, just like BT said above.


Ike Says:

btw friends,
Yesterday, I strung my Head Radical Midplus racquet with Head Sonic Pro 17G – Orange strings, those strings are awesome, they are the best ones I have ever tried. I still like my other racquet (Head YOUTEK Speed Pro) though. I think the main reason is the thickness of the frame (18 mm compared with 20 mm of of Radical, just seems easier to swing)


Ike Says:

@ Kimmi
Just curious, where u from?


Kimmi Says:

i am in canada but grew up in africa and UK, so i watched a lot of “football” in my life.


margot Says:

ike: Go away! I’m the wrong generation to hate Germans, so there. Want Netherlands to win now.(Are they even still in??)
grendel: yes, her serve is sublime, so simple, so powerful, so graceful.
Looking forward now to Vera getting the doubles trophy. Impossible to watch her interview without watering up.


margot Says:

grendel ps just posted you on other thread about our juniors, well, a woman’s gotta live in hope…


Ike Says:

@ Margot
Dutch are still there, they will play Uruguay in the first semi.

Since Brazil is out, my choice for final is Netherlands vs. Germany, (before Brazil lost, I was hoping for Brazil vs. Argentina)


Ike Says:

Klose scores…GOAL!!! Germany 2-0


Kimmi Says:

klose was at the right place again.

2-0 for germany

now can.t see argentina coming back


Ike Says:

@ Margot and Kimmi

Btw, I hope someday the World Cup final will be between USA vs. UK, or USA vs. Canada (almost impossible) and USA beats them :)

@ Kimmi
Africa – UK – Canada…..that’s long journey!


margot Says:

Ike: guess you’re American? Would be gr8 if European team one, especially Netherlands, so many footballing legends come from there, only tiny countery, tiny population compared to South Americans.
I;m watching men’s doubles, Meltzer and partner on song.


Kimmi Says:

3-0 this is turning out to be a rout


Ike Says:

GOAL!!! Germany 3-0
Delight for Deutschland!!!


Ike Says:

@ Margot

yeah, I am American, from New England area.


Kimmi Says:

4-0 klose again

has anybody score as many goals as him this year?


Ike Says:

Germany wins 4-0
I don’t think anyone can stop this German juggernaut!!!


Huh Says:

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great to see Germany win! Now Maradona can have fun with 20 years younger Veronica as he’s nothing else to do, lol! I’m so glad Maradona got his reward for having the audacity and the foolishness to challenge and question Pele!

NOW, I CAN ONLY BE MOST HAPPY IF GERMANY GOES ALL THE WAY!

GO GERMANY!!!

GERMANY ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Huh Says:

AND MIGHTY AND SINCEREST CONGRATULATIONS TO SERENA!!!

I’M GLAD TO SEE HER WIN, THOUGH I’M NOT HER FAN, COZ SOME HATERS(I’M NOT CALLING ALL WHO WERE ROOTING AGAINST SERENA AS HATERS, BUT THERE ARE DEFINITELY SOME PATHETIC AND JEALOUS SERENA HATERS HERE WHO ALWAYS KEEP COMPLAINING ABOUT WHATEVER SERENA DOES!) HERE SEEM TO ROOT FOR HER SO SHAMELESSLY AND BEGRUDINGLY.
SERENA WILLIAMS CERTAINLY DESERVES HELL LOT MORE RESPECT THAN THAT.

THIS IS COMING FROM ME AND NOBODY BETTER THAN ME KNOWS THAT I’M A NON-SERENA FAN, BUT CREDIT IS DUE TO SERENA FOR HOW GREAT, PEERLESS AND CONFIDENT A CHAMPION SHE’S!

CONGRATS SERENA WILLIAMS.
CONGRATS TO AMERICA FOR HAVING SUCH A GREAT CHAMPION AS HER DAUGHTER.
HUGE CONGRATS TO AMERICAN TENNIS LOVERS/FANS/ENTHUSIASTS!

—————————————-

MRS.VON:

CONGRATS TO YOU ON SERENA GS NO.13! :D
I KNOW YOU’RE VERY HAPPY ABOUT SERENA AGAIN MAKING YOU AND ALL OTHER AMERICANS PROUD, MUST BE A FANTASTIC DAY FOR YOU AND AMERICAN TENNIS.
DON’T FORGET TO SHARE THIS MOMENT OF HAPPINESS OF YOURS WITH ME AS BY SHARING, THE HAPPINESS INCREASES! :) :P


Siddy Says:

Ike Says:
Hey BT
re.”Wimbledon Staff member: “Serena, Vera will go our first and then you will go second”

Serena: “No I’ll go out first”

That is exactly why people hate Serena. She is probably the worst mannered champion this sport has ever see

_______________________________

Uh,no. That is why she is a CHAMPION and the others are just fetching balls.

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