Wimbledon: S'Williams Beats Sharapova, Faces Spain's Muguruza In The Final
World number one Serena Williams brushed aside fourth seed Maria Sharapova to set up a Wimbledon final against Spain's Garbine Muguruza.
The American, 33, extended her winning run against Sharapova to 17 matches over 11 years with a 6-2 6-4 victory.
Williams could win a sixth Wimbledon and 21st major title on Saturday, when she can also complete a 'Serena Slam' by holding all four Grand Slam titles.
Muguruza, 21, beat Agnieszka Radwanska 6-2 3-6 6-3 in the first semi-final.
The Venezuela-born 20th seed led by a set and a break only for 13th seed Radwanska to respond with six straight games and force a decider.
"I don't have words to explain it," Muguruza told BBC Sport. "I worked all my life to achieve this moment. I think I was playing really well so I had to stay calm and keep a poker face."
Williams was thrilled to reach her 25th Grand Slam final, saying: "I'm so excited. I got a bit nervous because it was a semi-final and it's a long time since I've been this far."
Sharapova had not beaten Williams since 2004, the year of her Wimbledon triumph over the American, and she was unable to prevent a 17th straight defeat.
The Russian knew she had to defend her vulnerable serve better but successive double faults handed over the opening game, to groans around Centre Court.
Williams was not in the mood to offer her long-time rival any gifts and almost broke again in game three, Sharapova saving herself with an ace out wide.
A forehand into the corner earned the double break two games later and the set was wrapped up after 33 minutes, with Sharapova unable to profit from the American making just 52% of first serves.
There were signs of the world number four at least gaining a foothold in the early stages of the second set, but Williams upped the pace in game five and Sharapova succumbed on break point with her fifth double fault.
Sharapova was struggling desperately to win points on her second serve and Williams let her off the hook with three missed returns on break points at 3-3, before the Russian saved two match points in game nine.
Williams still had her serve to come, however, and fired down four aces – taking her total to 13 – to complete the entire 79-minute contest without facing a break point.
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