Wimbledon 2018 LIVE: Angelique Kerber stuns Serena Williams to claim her first title at SW19 - latest reaction
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Your support makes all the difference.It’s finals weekend at Wimbledon and after an astonishing Friday, the drama is set to continue with the women’s final between Serena Williams and Angelique Kerber.
Williams is bidding to win her 24th Grand Slam, a feat that would match Margaret Court’s record, and should she do just that, it will be one of the most remarkable victories ever seen in the game given that she gave birth to her daughter just 10 months ago. But Kerber will be no pushover, with the two-time Grand Slam winner looking to get back to her best form.
Yet before that match, we had the small matter of completing Friday’s action. Kevin Anderson’s mammoth five-set victory, which finished 26-24 in the deciding set, delayed the second semi-final between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, and when they resumed the match on Saturday afternoon is was Nadal who came out flying to win the fourth set and take it to a decisive fifth. However, Djokovic had enough in the tank to claim the final set 10-8 and reach his first Grand Slam final since the US Open two years ago.
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Good morning and welcome to The Independent's Wimbledon live blog, where we'll bring you all the action from the women's final between Serena Williams and Angelique Kerber as well as the conclusion of the men's semi-final between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
Why the delay in Nadal vs Djokovic?
Kevin Anderson's six-and-a-half-hour victory over John Isner meant that Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic only had a short amount of time to play before the 11pm cut off point. Wimbledon regulations in agreement with local authorities state that play must end at 11pm which meant that Nadal and Djokovic could only squeeze in three sets.
Djokovic won the first 6-4 but Nadal stormed back to take the second set 3-6 after holding off his opponent's late comeback. The final set of the evening went to a tie-break which finished 11-9 in the Serbian's favour.
Read all the action from yesterday as we build up to the 13:00 re-start.
"The key for Angelique will be to serve well"
Independent columnist and tennis coach Nick Bollettieri says that Angelique Kerber's serve will be key to how this game will finish, here's why:
"An occasion fit for royalty"
Kate and Meghan arrive at Wimbledon to enjoy ladies' final day.
Head to head
In their eight meetings, Serena Williams (six wins) has the edge over Angelique Kerber, and crucially, the American has not lost to her on grass.
Both finalists on comeback trail
Serena Williams is ranked No 181 as she continues her return to the top, and Angelique Kerber is also making a comeback of her own, as Paul Newman explains.
"Williams took 14 months off to have her first baby, Kerber, who had also won the Australian and US Opens during her annus mirabilis in 2016, struggled through 2017."
Britain's Gordon Reid and Alfie Hewett win men's wheelchair doubles final
A third successive Wimbledon wheelchair double title belongs to Gordon Reid and Alfie Hewett who beat Germany's Joachim Gerard and Swede Stefan Olsson 6-1 6-4 on a packed Court 3. What an achievement.
Roof remains closed
Last night's match finished with the roof closed and that will remain the case this afternoon. Both Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal had to agree to have it open but it appears we are set for the most important Grand Slam semi-final being played indoors where the weather is lovely!
Third time in a row
Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid are getting used to this.
Hewitt and Reid hoping to "inspire kids" after winning third consecutive wheelchair doubles champions title
Hewitt: "It was an incredible match, one of the best doubles matches I‘ve played. Thanks to everyone for the support it really helped us get over the line.
"They are definitely a few tight shoulders out here so I will be stopping by the hospital to pick up some new ones."
Reid: "This is an exciting time for the sport, and it is great when we get the opportunity to showcase wheelchair tennis and inspire kids who are disabled or not active to pick up a sport even if it is not tennis."
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