Serena Williams strolls into Wimbledon final after win over Strycova

Serena Williams will bid to join Margaret Court as the winner of 24 grand slam singles titles when she faces Simona Halep.

Serena Williams returns against Czech Republic's Barbora Strycova during her semi-final win at Wimbledon. Picture: AFP

American superstar Serena Williams will bid to join Margaret Court as the winner of 24 grand slam singles titles when she faces Simona Halep at Wimbledon tomorrow.

The 37-year-old continued her impressive form in the second week of The Championships with a dominant 6-1 6-2 victory over Barbora Stycova, who appeared to injure herself early and was unable to trouble the champion.

It was an outstanding performance from the seven-time Wimbledon winner, who produced a ruthless display against the maiden grand slam semi-finalist.

And not once did she display a hint of nerves, something that has tripped her up in the past in her pursuit of history, as she powered away from the 33-year-old in just 59 minutes.

Williams had enjoyed a mixed year to date, with an injury suffered during an Australian Open quarter-final sidelining her for a period.

She felt knee pain in the lead-in to the French Open, where she was beaten in the 3rd round by Sofia Kenin, and had a restricted preparation for Wimbledon.

But having been tested early, her form has improved significantly through the second week and she again looks like she is in championship form.

“It is good. Especially after my year. It definitely feels good to be back in the final,” Williams said.

“It is definitely a lot better. Every match I know I am improving. I just needed to feel good and now that I feel good, I can do what I do best and that is to play tennis.

“I love what I do. I wake up every morning and I get to be fit and I get to play sport in front of crowds like I do at Wimbledon. I have a great job and love what I do and I still enjoy it.”

It is anticipated the challenge in the final will be far tougher, with Halep also outstanding when defeating Elina Svitolina 6-1 6-3 in an earlier semi-final.

But Williams’s record, both on centre court and also in a career now in its third decade, ensures she will start the match as the favourite.

“She is tough. She played unbelievable today. We always have tough matches. This was a good match for me today but I look forward to it,” Williams said.

Chasing her first grand-slam title since the Australian Open in 2017, Williams was in imperious form early on against Strycova, who appeared to strain a muscle in the opening game.

Williams, whose daughter Olympia will be two in September, served particularly well and was able to apply enough pressure to the Czech to break for a 3-1 lead.

And when she broke Strycova, who became the oldest first-time major semi-finalist, two games later, an obliteration appeared possible.

It took the 11-time finalist just 27 minutes to clinch the first set.

She claimed nearly nine of every ten points when landing her first serve, was dominant at the net and too powerful at the baseline in a nerveless display.

Her mixed-doubles outings with Andy Murray appear to have sharpened her play at the net, with the American showing outstanding touch when on the attack.

Strycova befuddled English hopeful Johanna Konta in a quarter-final with her clever court craft and changes of pace, but the American is clearly a superior player when on song.

And while the veteran managed to hold her opening two service games of the second set as she fought to gain traction in the semi-final, last year’s finalist struck again at 2-all.

And from there Williams was able to run away with a particularly easy victory against Strycova, who will feature in a doubles semi-final tomorrow.