[ad_1]
Romanian tennis player Simona Halep prevented Serena Williams from winning a record 24th Grand Slam title after beating in straight sets Saturday in the women's Wimbledon final.
Halep, 27, won her first title at the All England Club in just 55 minutes, beating Williams 6-2, 6-2, in her second career win over the American.
For Williams, the loss was particularly difficult as it prevented her from winning the 24th Grand Slam title, a record held by Australia's Margaret Court.
Simona Halep of Romania poses for a photo with her trophy after winning the women's singles final against Serena Williams of the United States on the twelfth day of the championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 13, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt / Getty Images)
ROGER FEDERER PREPARES RAFAEL NADAL AT THE FIRST WIMBLEDON MEETING SINCE THE 2008 FINAL
The 37-year-old professional tennis player has dominated grass pitches in the past. Williams is seven-time champion at Wimbledon. She won her first victory in 2002 against her own sister Venus Williams, two-time defending champion at the time.
In contrast, Saturday's match was Halep's first final appearance at Wimbledon and now his only second Grand Slam title. She had already won the Open de France in 2018.
The two players have faced each other 10 times in the past, Williams winning nine of those games.
Serena Williams of the United States reacts after losing a point to Simona Halep of Romania in the women's singles final on the twelfth day of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London on Saturday, July 13, 2019. (AP Photo / Tim Ireland)
But despite the odds of her favor, Williams told reporters on Friday that she was focusing solely on the one time she had lost to Halep.
"The biggest key to our matches is the defeat I've had, I've never forgotten, she's been amazing," she said, recalling the 2014 game. It tells me what level she's played – she can do it again, so I have to be better than that. "
SERENA WILLIAMS RECEIVES $ 10,000 FINE FOR COMPULSORY DAMAGES BEFORE WIMBLEDON
However, Halep's motivation was much greater as she focused more on the title than on her opponent's identity.
Simona Halep of Romania celebrates her victory against American Serena Williams in the women's singles final on Day 12 of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London on Saturday, July 13, 2019. (AP Photo / Kirsty Wigglesworth)
"I'm desperate to win more than stop at Wimbledon," she said. "I will focus on myself."
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Halep, number 7, beat Elina Svitolina 6-1, 6-3 in the semifinal to qualify for Saturday's final.
Williams faces a tough battle – his last Grand Slam title came in 2017 at the Australian Open. She came close to Wimbledon last year, but lost 6-2, 6-4 against Angélique Kerber.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
[ad_2]
Source link