tennishead Volume 7 Issue 4

TENNISHE AD.NET

SEPTEMBER 2016

THE WORLD’ S BE S T TENNIS MAG A ZINE M A D E I N B R I TA I N

ANDY MURRAY

2016 WIMBLEDON CHAMPION // How the title was won // What’s next for Murray? // Spectacular images // Full Wimbledon results

WIN

ADIDAS SHOES

“I WOKE UP AND I JUST FELT DIFFERENT” How ‘the real Serena’ made it 22

STAN THE MAN Life as a two-time Grand Slam champion

AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA

RACKET REVIEWS

Get a forehand like Aga

10 FRAMES TO IMPROVE YOUR GAME

PLUS Davis Cup – behind the scenes Hottest gear in the Pro Shop Latest player rankings

SEPTEMBER 2016

£4.99

This is a selection of pages from the latest issue.

Each issue is bursting with features and photos.

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SEPTEMBER 2016

contents 32

win 63

38

8 56

62 42

upfront

features

8

32 THE REAL SERENA

champion

Andy Murray’s route to victory at the 2016 Championships

26 ONWARDS AND UPWARDS

What next for the Wimbledon champion?

Can he win more Grand Slams?

academy 56 EXPERT ANALYSIS

How Williams made history with her 22nd major title

Insight into why Agnieszka Radwanska’s flat forehand is so effective

38 STAN THE MAN

58 CAPTAIN FANTASTIC

42 YOUNG AMERICAN

59 TENNIS TALK

82 last word

gear

World No.5 Wawrinka gives an insight into life on tour Noah Rubin on college life and breaking through at the top Nutritionist Glenn Kearney on his Davis Cup duties

Why camaraderie and communication are key to creating team spirit

Your questions answered

61 gear news

Wilson unveil Federer’s signature racket

63 Pro Shop

The latest kit from Pro:Direct

44 WIMBLEDON MOMENTS

64 STICK SHIFT

win

70 results and rankings

The best improver rackets on the market

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63 ADIDAS SHOES

Enter our competition for your chance to win a pair of Adidas Ubersonic 2

Complete singles draws from

Roland Garros and Wimbledon

80 TRAMLINES

ATP and WTA doubles rankings

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Stunning images from this year's Championships at SW19

contenTs

gallery

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CH CHA CHAM

8

PION. THE ROUTE TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP

TENNISHEAD.NET

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THE CHAMPION’S ROUTE

Match-by-match analysis of Andy Murray's historic Wimbledon victory

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With three Grand Slam titles to his name and a trusted team around him, Andy Murray is more motivated than ever

Words PauL nEWman Paul Newman is the tennis correspondent of The Independent

ONWARDS UPWARDS 26

27

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a n d y m u r r ay

THE REAL SERENA The 2016 Wimbledon champion, holder of 22 Grand Slam titles, says she is focused on her tennis and not on the pursuit of records words PaUl newman

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serena williams

stan the man 38

After a photo shoot for his main sponsor, two-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka shared some insights about his life on tour and those shorts Interview Bridget Marrison

Did winning your first Grand Slam in Australia in 2014 change you?

It changed my career and my tennis for sure. When you win a Slam you become one of a few players who have won the biggest title in the world, so you start to be part of the history of tennis, even more. So for sure, it changes a few things.

How demanding are Grand Slam tournaments?

It is a format that I quite like. For me, with best-of-five set matches, that is where I play best. It gives you more time to play your best tennis. You also have a rest day between matches. In general I think the schedule for Grand Slams is not as packed as some events – for instance, you have to play every day in Masters 1000 events, you can have six matches in seven days or five matches in six days.

Slams are big tournaments. There is more pressure because you want to do well but I always feel like you have more time during the tournament. You just need to use that time in the right way because there are also many other things, apart from the tennis, that you have to do. All the interviews, all the press, things like that. So you need to know how to deal with that.

You have won two majors, how hard is it to win a calendar Slam?

For sure, it would be something really, really special, no one can achieve that this year. Novak has already won two this year. It is an amazing achievement.

Your backhand is a joy to watch. Have you always played with a one-handed backhand?

Thank you, that’s always nice to hear. I am aware of how much people like the way I play my backhand. I changed to a single hander when I was 11 years old – my first coach said I wasn’t great on my backhand side. He told me it would be good to try to change, to see how I can improve that.

What is it about your backhand technique that enables you to play high bouncing balls?

The reason I can play high bouncing balls is because of the

t e nnish e a d . n e t

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stan waw r in k a

“When you win a slam you become one of the few players who have won the biggest title in the world… for sure, it changes a few things.”

39

Framebyframe

Agnieszka Radwanska forehand The world No.4 hits a flat forehand which can be an effective weapon, when coupled with speed around the court and variety of pace

1

You can see from this first photo that Radwanska shows excellent preparation with a simple and early take back. This is combined with a balanced posture that sets her weight on the back foot ready to transfer forward.

2

The forward movement begins with racket and weight transferring forward. The shoulders are flat and her centre of gravity remains centred as the weight shifts forward and around this solid centre. The base is lovely and wide.

The pros and cons of a flat forehand Radwanska has a very flat forehand. This means her best surface is grass but she is still effective on other surfaces because from this swing pattern she can easily dropshot or play the ball short and low. She brushes up the back of the ball on the run so can hit topspin in this situation. Because the shot is flat with possibly a hint of underspin, the margins are smaller. Under pressure she is prone to netting a few more forehands. She cannot generate as much power because her arm does not extend fully through the ball.

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3

A split second before contact, Aga’s weight is transferring behind the swing.

The eyes and head are still and focused on the ball. Her left arm counter balances the right and her base is strong and wide as she begins to turn.

academy

Radwanska’s playing style is unlike most of her rivals, playing a ball that bounces lower than others and mixing in short and long balls, forcing her opponents to generate more of their own pace whilst having to lift the ball. Few women play with a lot of topspin so this is difficult and if they lift the ball and drop it short the Pole uses quick feet to get this ball early to punish opponents. Her ability to take the ball early and mix pace is the bedrock of her success. So, if you hit a flat forehand you need to develop speed and feel to maximise the benefits of this technical and tactical skill

This shows the limitations of Aga’s forehand. Her arm never reaches full extension and the racket face slips under the ball. The bottom edge of the racket is ahead of the top, meaning the shot is flat. On the run she hits it differently.

6

The weight has shifted from right to left leg. The flare of her dress shows the speed of the body rotation. The shoulders are still flat and the centre of gravity still central.

The wrist and forearm have not rotated so the shot is flat with possibly a hint of underspin.

Meet your coach: David Sammel David has more than 25 years’ experience, coaching pros to careerhigh rankings, many of whom have represented their countries in Davis Cup and at the Olympics. David, who became an official ATP coach in 2014, regularly contributes to the UK’s tennis media including BBC Radio 5 Live, The Times newspaper and Sky Sports. In 2014, David released a psychology and coaching book – Locker Room Power – Building an Athlete's Mind. www.lockerroompower.com

frame by frame

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In this picture Agnieszka has driven up and forward strongly enough to lift her feet off the ground. The symmetry between left and right arm is marked and the head is still unmoved as the ball is sent back towards her opponent.

tennishead.net

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57

ReviewS improver 2016

Stick shift

Having already focused on intermediate and advanced rackets this year, we zone in on ten frames that will help those players new to tennis

F

or those unaccustomed to modern-day racket technology, ten minutes scanning the shelves of your local racket specialist could leave you twitching with anxiety, drenched in sweat and no clearer about exactly which racket to spend your cash on. Bombarded with jargon like sweet spots, beam width, string patterns and balance points – and technology that sounds like it’d be more at home on a spaceship than in sports equipment (Graphene and Basalt spring to mind) – there’s little wonder trying to choose a new racket can become confusing. Our advice is keep it simple. The most important elements

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of finding the right tennis racket – aside from the cost, of course – is the size of the string bed, the weight and the width of the frame (generally, a bigger surface area means more power). Ask in the shop what kind of blend of those elements would suit your standard, and strengths and weaknesses, and if it’s possible always, always, always try the racket before you buy.

Once you start improving, become more familiar with the more technical elements of a tennis racket and be aware of when it’s time to upgrade as you become more proficient between the lines. Good luck. And most importantly, enjoy it.

gear

Babolat Pure Drive 110 RRP: £170 // Head size: 110 sq.in // Unstrung weight: 280g String pattern: 16 x 19 // Balance: 345mm // Beam: 24-26-23mm

Dunlop Force 105 RRP: £159.99 // Head size: 105 sq.in // Unstrung weight: 285g String pattern: 16 x 19 // Balance: 320mm // Beam: 24-26-24mm

A renowned manufacturer with a long history of quality rackets and with many ambassadors on the men’s and women’s tours, this Pure Drive 110 is a classic when it comes to improver frames. It has a big, open-string racket face (open string patterns mean, in theory, more spin generation) and a light frame, weighing in at just 280 grammes unstrung. On court, it drew a mixed response from our squad of testers.

While they liked the look and the power it generated from the 110-inch head and responsive sweet spot, all said it felt a bit “clunky” and “cumbersome” in the hand. There was some good news too, though, as Ali was quick to shout about how much it helped her forehand.

Dunlop’s submission into our improver category has one of the smaller head sizes of the group tested, a 105-inch frame that means players should get a good blend of power (105 inches still represents a decent-sized hitting area) but crucially a bit of control too. At 285 grammes unstrung, one of its appeals appeared to be that the testers could get it through the air and behind the ball with ease, a benefit that both Hannah and Tamsin both reflected on. “Good power and it was light and comfortable,” enthused Hannah, while Tamsin described it as “light and easy to swing”. Hannah also had some positive feedback about Dunlop in general, describing the brand as “traditional, classic and trusted”.

RRP: £159.99 // Head size: 110 sq.in // Unstrung weight: 265g String pattern: 14 x 19 // Balance: 345mm // Beam: 26-25-23mm

 tennishead.net

Head Graphene XT PWR Radical

Head presents a frame jam-packed with technology and cutting edge design. The 110-inch racket head features an ‘adaptive string pattern’ which means when you pop down the shops for a restring you can choose either a more powerful 14x19 pattern, or a 16x19 blend for more control. The frame also features Head’s Graphene XT – the world’s lightest and strongest material, said to promote a faster swing and more power. Oh, and it’s 'smart tennis sensor' ready as well. So what did the testers think? They liked! Hannah said it gave her “good power” and it “feels like you can be specific in targeting shots”.

Tamsin agreed, saying it produced powerful strokes but that it was easily controllable. Good feedback all-round.

racket reviews

best Value

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june-july

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wimbledon 2016

GRAND SLAM

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ROUND ONE Serena Williams (USA) (1) 6-2 6-4 Amra Sadikovic (SUI) (Q) Christina McHale (USA) 7-5 6-2 Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) (WC) Heather Watson (GBR) Annika Beck (GER) 3-6 6-0 12-10 Aliaksandra Sasnovich (BLR) 6-3 6-3 Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) (31) Sloane Stephens (USA) (18) 7-6(5) 6-2 Peng Shuai (CHN) Mandy Minella (LUX) (Q) 7-5 3-0 (RET) Anna Tatishvili (USA) Tara Moore (GBR) (WC) 6-3 6-2 Alison van Uytvanck (BEL) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) (13) 7-5 6-4 Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) (11) 6-4 6-2 Luksika Kumkhum (THA) (Q) Monica Niculescu (ROU) 6-1 6-4 Aleksandra Krunic (SRB) (Q) Yulia Putintseva (KAZ) 7-5 6-2 Marina Melnikova (RUS) (WC) Hsieh Su-Wei (TPE) A Pavlyuchenkova (RUS (21) 7-5 1-6 6-1 Coco Vandeweghe (USA) (27) 6-2 7-6(3) Kateryna Bondarenko (UKR) Katie Swan (GBR) (WC) Timea Babos (HUN) 6-2 6-3 Kristyna Pliskova (CZE) Duan Ying-Ying (CHN) (LL) 6-3 3-6 7-5 Alison Riske (USA) Roberta Vinci (ITA) (6) 6-2 5-7 6-3 Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) (3) 6-2 6-1 Kateryna Kozlova (UKR) Karin Knapp (ITA) Ana Konjuh (CRO) 6-3 6-3 Pauline Parmentier (FRA) Katerina Siniakova (CZE) 6-3 7-5 Cagla Buyukakcay (TUR) Caroline Garcia (FRA) (30) 6-2 6-3 Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) (19) 7-5 6-3 Mirjana Lucic-Baroni (CRO) Daria Gavrilova (AUS) 2-6 6-3 6-4 Wang Qiang (CHN) Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) 6-3 6-4 Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) Monica Puig (PUR) Johanna Konta (GBR) (16) 6-1 7-5 Petra Kvitova (CZE) (10) 6-0 6-4 Sorana Cirstea (ROU) Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) 6-1 4-6 6-1 Johanna Larsson (SWE) Evgeniya Rodina (RUS) (WC) 6-3 7-5 Lesia Tsurenko (UKR) Anett Kontaveit (EST) Barbora Strycova (CZE) (24) 4-6 6-4 6-4 Andrea Petkovic (GER) (32) 3-6 7-5 6-2 Nao Hibino (JPN) Elena Vesnina (RUS) 7-5 6-2 Tamira Paszek (AUT) (Q) Julia Boserup (USA) (Q) 6-4 0-6 6-2 Tatjana Maria (GER) (Q) Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) Belinda Bencic (SUI) (7) 6-2 6-3 Simona Halep (ROU) (5) 6-4 6-1 Anna Schmiedlova (SVK) Anastasija Sevastova (LAT) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) 7-6(7) 6-4 Danka Kovinic (MNE) Mona Barthel (GER) 6-2 7-6(3) Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) Kiki Bertens (NED) (26) 6-3 6-2 Sara Errani (ITA) (20) 6-4 6-4 Patricia Maria Tig (ROU) Alize Cornet (FRA) 6-3 6-0 Polona Hercog (SLO) Nicole Gibbs (USA) Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) 6-3 6-1 Laura Siegemund (GER) Madison Keys (USA) (9) 6-3 6-1 Karolina Pliskova (CZE) (15) 6-2 0-6 8-6 Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) Misaki Doi (JPN) 6-1 6-2 Louisa Chirico (USA) Zarina Diyas (KAZ) Anna-Lena Friedsam (GER) 6-4 6-0 Ekaterina Alexandrova (RUS) (Q) 6-2 7-5 Ana Ivanovic (SRB) (23) Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU) (25) Carina Witthoeft (GER) 6-1 6-4 Kurumi Nara (JPN) 6-2 6-7(5) 6-3 Madison Brengle (USA) Teliana Pereira (BRA) Varvara Lepchenko (USA) 5-7 7-6(3) 6-2 Laura Robson (GBR) (WC) Angelique Kerber (GER) (4) 6-2 6-2 Venus Williams (USA) (8) 7-6(3) 6-4 Donna Vekic (CRO) Zheng Saisai (CHN) Maria Sakkari (GRE) (Q) 6-3 6-2 Lara Arruabarrena (ESP) 6-2 1-6 8-6 Olga Govortsova (BLR) Victoria Duval (USA) Daria Kasatkina (RUS) (29) 6-0 7-5 Jelena Jankovic (SRB) (22) 6-2 6-2 Stefanie Voegele (SUI) Irina Falconi (USA) Marina Erakovic (NZL) (Q) 4-6 6-3 10-8 Margarita Gasparyan (RUS) Denisa Allertova (CZE) 6-3 3-0 RET Zhang Shuai (CHN) C Suarez Navarro (ESP) (12) 6-3 4-6 6-4 Samantha Stosur (AUS) (14) 7-5 6-3 Magda Linette (POL) Sabine Lisicki (GER) 6-1 6-3 Shelby Rogers (USA) Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) 7-5 6-4 Julia Goerges (GER) Naomi Broady (GBR) Elina Svitolina (UKR) (17) 6-2 6-3 Lucie Safarova (CZE) (28) 6-7(7) 7-6(3) 7-5 Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) Samantha Crawford (USA) 7-5 6-3 Paula Kania (POL) (Q) Jana Cepelova (SVK) (Q) 7-5 7-5 Mariana Duque-Marino (COL) Camila Giorgi (ITA) Garbine Muguruza (ESP) (2) 6-2 5-7 6-4

wimbledon

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ROUND two Serena Williams (USA) (1) 6-7(7) 6-2 6-4 Christina McHale (USA) Annika Beck (GER) 6-2 6-1 Aliaksandra Sasnovich (BLR) Sloane Stephens (USA) (18) 3-6 7-6(6) 8-6 Mandy Minella (LUX) (Q) Tara Moore (GBR) (WC) Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS)(13) 6-1 2-6 6-3 Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) (11) 4-6 6-2 6-1 Monica Niculescu (ROU) Yulia Putintseva (KAZ) A Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) (21) 7-5 6-1 Coco Vandeweghe (USA) (27) 6-2 6-3 Timea Babos (HUN) Duan Ying-Ying (CHN) (LL) Roberta Vinci (ITA) (6) 6-3 7-5 Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) (3) 6-2 4-6 9-7 Ana Konjuh (CRO) Katerina Siniakova (CZE) 4-6 6-4 6-1 Caroline Garcia (FRA) (30) Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) (19) 6-3 6-2 Daria Gavrilova (RUS) Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) 6-3 1-6 6-1 Johanna Konta (GBR) (16) Petra Kvitova (CZE) (10) Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) 7-5 7-6(5) Evgeniya Rodina (RUS) (WC) Barbora Strycova (CZE) (24) 6-4 6-0 Andrea Petkovic (GER) (32) Elena Vesnina (RUS) 7-5 6-3 Julia Boserup (USA) (Q) 6-4 1-0 RET Belinda Bencic (SUI) (7) Simona Halep (ROU) (5) 6-1 6-1 Francesca Schiavone (ITA) Mona Barthel (GER) Kiki Bertens (NED) (26) 6-4 6-4 Sara Errani (ITA) (20) Alize Cornet (FRA) 7-6(4) 7-5 Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) Madison Keys (USA) (9) 6-4 4-6 6-3 Karolina Pliskova (CZE) (15) Misaki Doi (JPN) 7-6(5) 6-3 Anna-Lena Friedsam (GER) 6-4 7-6(1) Ekaterina Alexandrova (RUS)(Q) Carina Witthoeft (GER) 6-3 6-0 Kurumi Nara (JPN) Varvara Lepchenko (USA) Angelique Kerber (GER) (4) 6-1 6-4 Venus Williams (USA) (8) 7-5 4-6 6-3 Maria Sakkari (GRE) (Q) Lara Arruabarrena (ESP) Daria Kasatkina (RUS) (29) 7-6(9) 6-3 Jelena Jankovic (SRB) (22) Marina Erakovic (NZL) (Q) 4-6 7-6(1) 8-6 Denisa Allertova (CZE) Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP)(12) 3-6 6-2 6-1 Samantha Stosur (AUS) (14) Sabine Lisicki (GER) 6-4 6-2 Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) 6-2 3-6 6-4 Elina Svitolina (UKR) (17) Lucie Safarova (CZE) (28) 6-3 6-4 Samantha Crawford (USA) Jana Cepelova (SVK) 6-3 6-2 Garbine Muguruza (ESP) (2)

ROUND three

ROUND four

quarter-finals

semi-finals

Serena Williams (USA) (1) 6-3 6-0 Annika Beck (GER)

Serena Williams (USA) (1) 7-5 6-0 Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS)(13)

Serena Williams (USA) (1) 6-4 6-4 A Pavlyuchenkova (RUS)(21)

Serena Williams (USA) (1] 6-2 6-0 Elena Vesnina (RUS)

Sloane Stephens (USA) (18) S Kuznetsova (RUS) (13) 6-7(1) 6-2 8-6

Williams overcame some first set struggles to reach the last eight. Kuznetsova twice served for the first set but the top seed roared back to take the match. "I knew I had to play well to win," said Williams.

Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) (11) A Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) (21) 6-3 6-2

A Pavlyuchenkova (RUS)(21) 6-3 6-3 Coco Vandweghe (USA) (27)

Coco Vandeweghe (USA)(27) 6-3 6-4 Roberta Vinci (ITA) (6)

Pavlyuchenkova reached the quarter-finals at Wimbledon for the first time in her career with a straight sets victory over Vandeweghe. "I didn't really like grass at all," she admitted. "Now I don't mind."

Williams took a step closer to her 22nd Grand Slam title with a straight sets victory against Russian No.21 seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the quarter-finals. The former junior world No.1 battled hard, but Williams was clinical when it mattered most, breaking late in each set to wrap up a straight sets victory. "I think she played a really tough match," Williams said after reaching her 10th semi-final at Wimbledon. "So I'm really happy that I was able to get that [done] in straight sets."

A Radwanska (POL) (3) 6-3 6-1 Katerina Siniakova (CZE)

Agnieszka Radwanska (POL)(3) Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) (19) 6-3 5-7 9-7

D Cibulkova (SVK)(19) Elena Vesnina (RUS) 6-2 6-2

World No.1 and defending champion Williams produced a dominant performance on Centre Court to defeat Elena Vesnina 6-2 6-0 in just 49 minutes. The American won 96% of points on her first serve, including 11 aces, to reach her third Grand Slam final of the year. Williams had won 21 of the 27 Grand Slam finals she contested - but lost to Kerber in the Australian Open final and to Muguruza at Roland Garros this year. "I think for anyone else it would be a wonderful accomplishment. For me, it's not enough," Williams said of reaching three major finals 2016. It's about holding the trophy."

Dominika Cibulkova (SVK)(19) 6-4 6-3 Eugenie Bouchard (CAN)

Cibulkova won a thrilling three-hour battle against 2012 finalist Radwanska to reach the last eight. "It was the toughest match of my career so far, physically and mentally," said Cibulkova.

Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) 6-4 6-2 Barbora Strycova (CZE) (24)

Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) Elena Vesnina (RUS) 5-7 6-1 9-7

Elena Vesnina (RUS) 7-5 7-5 Julia Boserup (USA) (Q)

Unseeded Russian Vesnina beat close friend and doubles partner Makarova in three sets to reach her first Grand Slam quarter-final, just six months after losing in qualifying for the Australian Open.

Vesnina reached the first Grand Slam semi-final of her career with a straight-sets win against a weary Cibulkova. The No.19 seed said she would postpone her wedding (scheduled for the Saturday of the final) if she reached the last four, but the former Australian Open runner-up ran out of steam after a gruelling fourth round win against Radwanska. "I was playing from the first ball to the last really confident, aggressive," said Vesnina. "I was not giving her a lot of time."

Simona Halep (ROU)(5) 6-4 6-3 Kiki Bertens (NED) (26)

Simona Halep (ROU) (5) 6-7(5) 6-4 6-3 Madison Keys (USA) (9)

Simona Halep (ROU) (5) Angelique Kerber (GER) (4) 7-5 7-6(2)

Angelique Kerber (GER) (4) 6-4 6-4 Venus Williams (USA) (8)

Alize Cornet (FRA) Madison Keys (USA) (9) 6-4 5-7 6-2

Halep emerged triumphant after a topsy-turvy fourth round encounter as Keys faded with cramp. "The most important thing was that I kept my concentration till the end, and I was fighting," said Halep.

Misaki Doi (JPN) 7-6(1) 6-3 Anna-Lena Friedsam (GER)

Misaki Doi (JPN) Angelique Kerber (GER) (4) 6-3 6-1

Carina Witthoeft (GER) Angelique Kerber (GER) (4) 7-6(11) 6-1

Kerber powered into the last eight without dropping a set as she overcame Doi for the loss of just four games. "My tennis is getting better every day," said Kerber after reaching her third Wimbledon quarter-final.

Australian Open champion Kerber won the battle of the returners as she reached the third Grand Slam semi-final of her career with a narrow victory against Halep. In a match featuring 13 breaks of serve, it was Kerber who emerged victorious after an hour and 30 minutes.

"Simona was playing really well. I was trying to being aggressive and just focusing on my style of tennis," said Kerber, who hit 23 winners and 21 unforced errors. "I'm playing really good tennis right now, like in Australia."

Venus Williams (USA) (8) 7-5 4-6 10-8 Daria Kasatkina (RUS) (29)

Venus Williams (USA) (8) 7-6(3) 6-4 Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP) (12)

Venus Williams (USA) (8) 7-6(5) 6-2 Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ)

Marina Erakovic (NZL) (Q) C Suarez Navarro (ESP) (12) 6-2 6-2

Williams survived a slow start and a rain delay to reach her first Wimbledon quarter-final since 2010. "I'm not like a deer in the headlights," said the American, who at 36 was the oldest woman in the draw.

Sabine Lisicki (GER) Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) 7-6(2) 6-1

Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) 6-2 6-4 Lucie Safarova (CZE) (28)

Venus Williams reached her first Grand Slam semi-final in six years as she defeated Shvedova in straight sets.

The 36-year-old joined sister Serena in the last four; the first time both sisters were in a Grand Slam semi-final since 2009. "Six years ago is ages ago,” said Williams, who became the oldest woman to make the last four at SW19 since Martina Navratilova in 1994.

“I think I was most likely kicking butt six years ago if I was in the semis or the finals. You have to be.”

Kerber ended the possibility of an all-Williams final after the German defeated Venus Williams in the semi-finals.

The Australian Open champion dropped her serve three times in the opening set, but was more solid in the second - she did not give up any break points and made 94% of her returns as she reached the final without dropping a set. "I have much more experience right now,” said Kerber, who lost in the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2012. "It was not my first Grand Slam semi-final. But Wimbledon is always special.

I was a little nervous when I went on court because I know that I have to play good tennis against Venus."

Lucie Safarova (CZE) (28) 4-6 6-1 12-10 Jana Cepelova (SVK)

Shvedova's fine run at Wimbledon continued with a straight sets victory over former semi-finalist Safarova as the world No.96 reached her third major quarter-final.

juniors j u n e 2 7 - j u ly 1 0

Wimbledon, London

Potapova wins in dramatic fashion

Serena equals Graf on 22 majors Serena Williams bt Angelique Kerber 7-5 6-3

Serena Williams defeated Angelique Kerber in straight sets to win her seventh Wimbledon title - and her 22nd Grand Slam - to equal Steffi Graf's Open era record.

In a rematch of the Australian Open final earlier this year, which Kerber won to lift her first Grand Slam title, Williams reversed the result with a 7-5 6-3 victory on Centre Court. The world No.1 hit 39 winners, including 13 aces, to win a high-quality final in an hour and 21 minutes.

In winning her 22nd major title, Williams has equalled Steffi Graf's mark and is just two short of Margaret Court's all-time record of 24.

“It’s such a great feeling to be out here. I love playing Angelique she really brings out the best tennis in me,” said Williams, who has reached all three Grand Slam finals in 2016 but lost the French Open final to Garbine Muguruza.

“It has been incredibly difficult not to think about [Graf’s record]. I had a couple of tries this year lost to a couple of great opponents but it makes the victory even sweeter to know how hard I worked for it.”

Kerber, who was bidding to become the first German Wimbledon champion since Graf in 1996, had reached the final without dropping a set but she struggled to make any inroads on Williams’ serve.

“Congratulations to Serena you really deserve the title you are a great champion and a great person,” Kerber said during the trophy presentation ceremony. "It’s an honour to play you. We played a great match and you really deserve it.”

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j u n e 2 7 - j u ly 1 0

Anastasia Potapova won the girls’ singles title at Wimbledon with a 6-4 6-3 victory.

While the scoreline was routine, the moment of triumph was anything but. The Russian No.4 seed finally got over the line after seven match points and two successful challenges from Yastremska.

Potapova twice celebrated victory, only for the Ukrainian to dispute the decision on both occasions.

“I just tried to not think about when I had a match point,” said the 15-year-old.

“I tried to keep my focus on the game, to keep my focus on my serve. And I did.”

In the boys’ singles Canadian Denis Shapovalov came from behind to defeat Alex de Minaur 4-6 6-1 6-3 to win the singles. “In the second set I found my confidence,” said Shapovalov. “I told myself I’m gonna go for it, I don’t care if I miss, I’m gonna go for my shots.”

Shapovalov also left Wimbledon with the boys’ doubles runner-up trophy after he and fellow Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime lost in the final 4-6 6-4 6-2 to Kenneth Raisma and Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Meanwhile, American pair Usue Maitane Arconada and Claire Liu beat Mariam Bolkvadze and Caty McNally 6-2 6-3 to win the the girls’ doubles.

Over the line Anastasia Potapova finally converted her seventh match point to win the girls' singles title

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GRAND SLAM

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