Serena Williams vs Simona Halep: Wimbledon final preview and prediction

23-time Grand Slam Champion and American Superstar Serena Williams stormed into her 11th Wimbledon Final in typical fashion swatting aside Barbora Strycova 6-1, 6-2 in just 59 minutes. She has played perfect tennis digging out hard when it mattered and surviving some scares smoothly. 

The 24th Grand Slam win is a really special number as the legend Margaret Court won 24 slams in her career. Serena has been targeting the coveted number 24 for a pretty long time despite faltering in the semi-finals and finals of grand slams a couple of times. She would be gunning to grab it this time as it is the best chance for her.

On the other hand, Simona Halep, one of the most consistent players on the women's side has quietly made it to the finals despite grass not being her favorite surface. She started off her Wimbledon 2019 campaign edging past Sasnovich in straight sets. Her compatriot, Buzarnescu tested her severely and Halep stood strong and won in three sets. Her next match was an anticipated clash with the two-time grand slam champion, Victoria Azarenka, and was expected to go down to the wire but Halep thrashed her 6-3, 6-1 in a ruthless performance.

Halep locked horns in her next match with Cori Gauff, the 15-year old who had caused some significant upsets in her Grand Slam debut. Gauff had stunned her idol, seven- ime Grand Slam champion, Venus Williams in straight sets and outlasted Wimbledon 2017 semifinalist Rybarikova in the first two rounds. She faced a stern test but came out on top edging past Polona Hercog in three sets in the third round after losing the first set. Halep vs Gauff was a clash of generations with a 12 year age gap.

 Halep met the Chinese sensation- Zhang in her next match. Zhang was on a giant-killing run having ousted some notable names of women's tennis in Caroline Garcia, Yanina Wickmayer, and the Australian Open champion- Caroline Wozniacki all in straight sets.

 Zhang was in flawless form coming into the match having conceded only 15 games in her 3 matches. The first set was gripping as Halep survived with her powerful groundstrokes while Zhang used all her craft. Halep took the crucial first set 7-6(4) and breezed through the second set 6-1 to clinch the match in straight sets

Halep was ready for her gripping quarterfinal clash with Elina Svitolina due to their 4-4 H2H record and she came out all guns blazing against Svitolina whipping her 6-1 6-3. Svitolina struggled in her first grand slam semifinal and was overwhelmed and nervous by the big occasion.

Meanwhile, Serena Williams began her start dismissing first time slam debutant, Monticone, in two sets and came through a pulsating encounter against Juvan in the next round in three sets after trailing a set. She defeated familiar foe, 18th seed Julia Georges, in straight sets and gave her best performances ousting Carla Suarez Navarro 6-2 6-2 in the fourth round.

She faced an acid test against Alison Riske who had caused a huge upset defeating the World Number 1 and the recent French Open champion, Ashleigh Barty but survived in a marathon three-setter that went the distance.

Her next opponent, Barbora Strycova was one of the oldest semifinalists in a grand slam, but Serena gave no chances to her in a ruthless 59-minute demolition.

Coming to the final, both players would be looking to create history on the big occasion.

A statistical comparison of Halep and Serena going to this final

It all boils down to rising for the grand finale and playing your best tennis when it matters. Both Halep and Serena would have to hold their nerves and be consistent in their game-play if they want to win the coveted Wimbledon 2019 title.

Prediction

Serena Williams to win in three sets.