Wimbledon 2015, Ladies' Final: Serena Williams vs Garbine Muguruza - As it happened...

Finally, the moment of truth arrived for Garbine Muguruza and she stood witnessing Serena Williams completing her "Serena Slam" for the second time. The American now holds all four Slams simultaneously, and with US Open coming this August, Serena can go for the real Grand Slam.

11 July 2015

20:09 PM

Serena took one hour 24 minutes to win her sixth Wimbledon title...and

HISTORY MADE. AGAIN. @serenawilliams is a six-time #Wimbledon champion after beating Garbine Muguruza 6-4, 6-4 pic.twitter.com/w1XZXCR6nP

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 11, 2015

20:02 PM

1st Set: Serena Williams 6 - 4 Garbine Muguruza (Serena won first set 6-4)

Serena broken twice, and Muguruza needed to hold her serve. But, Serena took the first point with a double fault, then a lucky point with the ball falling off the tap on Muguruza court. Then a long ball from the Spaniard. And match point.

Williams won the Championships with a forehand winner, which initially looked long.

Points: 0:15, 0:30, 0:40

20:02 PM

1st Set: Serena Williams 5- 4 Garbine Muguruza* (Serena won first set 6-4)

Serving once again for the title, Serena started in wrong foot, giving her opponent enough room to play ground-strokes. Down break-point, she produced Aces after aces to return in to the game.

On the match point, Muguruza produced a forehand winner for another deuce. Serena had an unforced error, sending the ball long, advantage to Muguruza. But the Spaniard missed Serena's baseline by a whisker, for another deuce.

The girls ensued another lengthy rally, with Serena crashing her double-handed return into the net. Advantage Muguruza. Then, the Spaniard produced one her best forehand winners to take the game.

Points: 0:15, 0:30, 0:40, 15:40, 30:40, 40:40, A:40, 40:40, 40:A 40:40, 40:A

19:48 PM

1st Set: Serena Williams* 5- 3 Garbine Muguruza (Serena won first set 6-4)

Seemed like Muguruza's delaying tactics working. Won the first point with Serena sending her return long off Muguruza's second serve. Serena, then crashed backhand return in to the net. But the Spaniard failed to keep Serena's return in play, sprayed it wide off her forehand.

Then, they engaged in a rally, with lot of running. Serena, on the run, miss-hit her shot. The American then produced a return winner. She continued her pressure on Muguruza, approaching after a short ball from her opponent. She won the point for the deuce, as Muguruza could only send her return into the net.

Muguruza, however, won the game with a winner.

Points: 15:0, 30:15, 40:15, 40:30, 40:40, A:40

19:45 PM

1st Set: Serena Williams 5- 2 Garbine Muguruza* (Serena won first set 6-4)

Serving for her 21st Grand Slam title, Serena committed an unforced error on the net, then her seventh double fault. Pressure, presumably. And a forehand, sent too long.

Muguruza thus broke Serena, on love. Mighty effort from the Spaniard.

Points: 0:15, 0:30, 0:40

19:42 PM

1st Set: Serena Williams* 5- 1 Garbine Muguruza (Serena won first set 6-4)

And continuing her domineering form, Serena produced a double handed passing winner to set-up the game. It was followed by an unforced error from her opponent. Then, a long play for 0:40. Three break points.

And perfect placement to win the game, after a rally. She will now serve for her sixth Wimbledon title.

Points: 0:15, 0:30, 0:40

19:40 PM

1st Set: Serena Williams 4- 1 Garbine Muguruza* (Serena won first set 6-4)

Mojo is back with Serena. Started with an Ace, then an unreturned serve, then another serve. Her ninth of the match, and a wide return from the Spanaird. Easy hold and cruising.

What a change in fortunes, from the flirtatious start from Muguruza.

Points: 15:0, 30:0, 40:0

19:36 PM

1st Set: Serena Williams* 3 - 1 Garbine Muguruza (Serena won first set 6-4)

Serving behind in this set, Muguruza started the game with an unreturned serve. Then, off all her ground coverage, missed a beaming forehand return from Serena. Couple more unforced error, one missing the line, another crashing into the net -- for the BREAK POINT. And Muguruza failed to measure Serena's powerful return, sending the ball into the net.

That's Serena break.

Points: 15:0, 15:15, 15:30, 15:40

19:32 PM

1st Set: Serena Williams 2 - 1 Garbine Muguruza* (Serena won first set 6-4)

Serena Williams had her back-to-back double faults, fourth and fifth of the match. But on par, she winning as much points from serves too. Doubt prevailed, for Serena as a seemingly long ball forced her into apprehension and she sent a long ball, missing Muguruza's baseline, for a deuce.

Then again, she produced another set of huge serves to close out the game.

Points: 15:0, 15:15, 15:30, 30:30, 40:30, 40:40, A:40

19:30 PM

1st Set: Serena Williams* 1 - 1 Garbine Muguruza (Serena won first set 6-4)

Strong service game from the Spaniard to win the game on love. Have had a variety of serves, slicing, body serving. She will need to keep her end tight, to bring the game to the champion on the other side.

Points: 15:0, 30:0, 40:0

19:27 PM

1st Set: Serena Williams 1 - 0 Garbine Muguruza* (Serena won first set 6-4)

After winning fourth straight games tow wrapped up the first set, Serena started with an Ace, and a double fault. And on the final point, Muguruza sent the return on Serena second serve long. The Spaniard did challenge, in futile.

Points: 15:0, 15:15, 30:15, 40:15

19:21 PM

1st Set: Serena Williams* 6- 4 Garbine Muguruza

Awesome double-handed winner from deep baseline. Serena has just started to feel her racquet. Muguruza, by the way, is also attacking her opponent. Won her first point of the game with an approach forehand shot on Serena's back-hand. A wild-swing followed from the youngster, giving the point to Serena. A close point, and an Ace from the Spaniard to make it 40:30.

But Serena had a rocket return for a deuce. And a weak serve meant Serena having the break point. Then, Serena took the set with a forehand winner.

After looking desperately out of form for most of the set, the American won the set in 44 minutes. And that's Serena for you.

Points: 0:15, 15:15, 15:30, 30:30, 40:30, 40:40, 40:A

19:16 PM

1st Set: Serena Williams 5- 4 Garbine Muguruza*

Lucky for Serena on second serve, a short return from her opponent and she feasted on it. Serena returned the favour with a double fault, her third of the match. But the American had the next point won thanks to strong serve, which Muguruza failed to return.

Williams has started enjoying the match. Set-up nicely with a couple of wide forehands, and sent down a smash for the game point. But she sent her shot long after couple of exchanges on the next point.

It was followed by a good, wide serve, which set-up pretty well for her approach and with a double-handed back-hand, won the point, and game.

Points: 15:0, 15:15, 30:15, 40:15, 40:30

19:11 PM

1st Set: Serena Williams* 4 - 4 Garbine Muguruza

Muguruza is serving well. Got another huge one, which Serena failed to keep in play, missing the baseline on return. Serena scrambled, and picked the right side to win the next point off a forehand, which Muguruza returned into the net.

A confusion on line called, but Muguruza didn't challenge. Then, another unforced error from the Spaniard to give Serena the break point. The 21-year-old replied with her second Ace of the match, but she over-hit her shot on a long rally to give the break to Serena.

On serves now.

By the way, just four players have beaten Serena at a Slam more than once. Ansd they are Venus, Capriati, Henin and Stosur. Muguruza got the chance today.

Points: 15:0, 15:15, 15:30, 15:40, 30:40

19:09 PM

1st Set: Serena Williams 3 - 4 Garbine Muguruza*

Common, Serena yelled after sending down a huge serve, unreturned. Before that, she got her third Ace. Then, she set up for a smash. Hold the game to love.

Points: 15:0, 30:0, 40:0,

19:04 PM

1st Set: Serena Williams* 2 - 4 Garbine Muguruza

An stinging return from the world number. Muguruza's second serves are not up to mark. The Spaniard, however, won the next point as Serena sprayed her rally long and wide. Serena produced a forehand winner, which was followed by an unforced error from the Spaniard... for a break point chance.

But Muguruza played two beautiful rallies, setting up nicely for her beaming forehand ground strokes. She took the advantage with a big serve. And hold the game with yet another awesome, wide serve.

Points: 0:15, 15:15, 15:30, 15:40, 30:40, 40:40, 40:A

19:02 PM

1st Set: Serena Williams 2 - 3 Garbine Muguruza*

An Ace to start. Serena then serve a beautiful body second serve. Muguruza responded with flat passing shot to win the third point. An unreturned serve from Serena to win the game. But still a break down.

Points: 15:0, 30:0, 30:15, 40:15

18:56 PM

1st Set: Serena Williams* 1 - 3 Garbine Muguruza

On the second serve, Serena produced a single handed forehand winner. Muguruza responded with a double handed swing, on the line, for a winner. A great serve. on the line on T for the Spaniard.

Serena kept her cool to win a sloppy rally, by placing the winner on the corner. Another good serve from the youngster. And an easy point for Serena off a five-shot rally to make it a deuce. An unforced error on the net, from Serena's forehand. A wasted challenge on serve, by Muguruza won the game with sprayed long forehand cross-court from the American.

Points: 0:15, 15:15, 30:15, , 30:30, 40:30, 40:40, A:40, 

18:53 PM

1st Set: Serena Williams 1 - 2 Garbine Muguruza*

Muguruza is going after everything. And that's what she need to dismantle the powerful Serena. She took the first two points, attacking. But on the third point, she overcooked her return, which went long.

And as expected, Serena started her serving, winning points. She is also talking to herself. Hold the game as Muguruza sent the return long.

Points: 0:15, 0:30, 15:30, 30:30

18:50 PM

1st Set: Serena Williams* 0 - 2 Garbine Muguruza

A sprightly Muguruza started with a strong serve, with Serena sending into the net. Serena replied with a forehand winner, only to see the Spanaird taking the following two points with the American missing on simple play. Lots of unforced errors from the number one player.

Muguruza hold her service as Serena failed to keep the ball in play, trying to attack the Spaniard's second serve.

Points: 15:0, 15:15, 30:15, 40:15, 40:30

18:49 PM

1st Set: Serena Williams 0 - 1 Garbine Muguruza*

Serena Williams started with a Double fault to give Garbine Muguruza the initial lead, but the American put her scoring with a back-hand winner. It was followed by an ACE. Then, the first glimpse of Serena's impeccable play - a forehand winner, wide off where the Spaniard was standing.

But Muguruza is showing no signs of being overawed. She produced a back-hand winner of her own after a good serve was played into Serena forehand.

Serena then committed her second double fault of the first game. Deuce. Then, another double fault from the champion. Break point. The youngster missed the service break opportunity as she played into the net on the third ball.

The Spaniard took full control of a weak Serena second serve, hitting with a winner on return winner. Serena helped herself with a body serve, and saved the third break point. 

And a flying start from Muguruza. Broke the American after seven minutes , thanks to a long Serena ball, which missed the baseline.

Points: 0:15, 15:15, 30:15, 40:15, 40:30, 40:40, 40:A, 40:40, 40:A, 40:40, 40:A, 40:40, 40:A

18:33 PM

Here is Serena Williams` path to the final:

First round: Margarita Gasparyan (Rus) 6-4 6-1

Second round: Timea Babos (Hun) 6-4 6-1

Third round: Heather Watson (GB) 6-2 4-6 7-5

Fourth round: [16] Venus Williams (US) 6-4 6-3

Quarter-final: [23] Victoria Azarenka (Blr) 3-6 6-2 6-3

Semi-final: [4] Maria Sharapova (Rus) 6-2 6-4

Garbine Muguruza` s path to the final:

First round: Varvara Lepchenko (US) 6-4 6-1

Second round: Mirjana Lucic-Baroni (Cro) 6-3 4-6 6-2

Third round: [10] Angelique Kerber (Ger) 7-6 (1-2) 1-6 6-2

Fourth round: [5] Caroline Wozniacki (Den) 6-4 6-4

Quarter-final: [15] Timea Bacsinszky (Sui) 7-5 6-3

Semi-final: [13] Agnieszka Radwanska (Pol) 6-2 3-6 6-3

18:31 PM

Former champions Martina Navratilova and Virginia Wade, and a packed Centre Court crowd had just welcomed the finalists at the Centre Court. Couple more minutes to the match.

18:30 PM

Here is the short-list of Women's All-time Grand Slam Singles winners, Serena already a legend, and chasing more...

24 - Margaret Court, All-time record
22 - Steffi Graf, Open Era record
20 - Serena Williams
19 - Helen Wills Moody
18 - Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova
12 - Billie Jean King

18:21 PM

A look at where the Ladies' Singles final will be won and lost: http://t.co/MwV7rZyAeA pic.twitter.com/O8e5tMQOC6

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 11, 2015

18:20 PM

All three of their previous meetings were at Grand Slams, with Serena leading 2-1.

2013 Australian Open: Serena won 6-2, 6-0
2014 French Open: Muguruza won 6-2, 6-2
2015 Australian Open: Serena won 2-6, 6-3, 6-2

18:09 PM

If Garbine Muguruza wins today, she will climb into the top ten for the first time in her short career, as high as six, possibly.

And she can feel the comfort of hallowed grass of Centre Court, just like she had after beating Agnieszka Radwanska in the semis.

17:53 PM

This is your 40-minute warning. A look at what Serena and Muguruza are playing for... #Wimbledon https://t.co/LXwpCL6vVV

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 11, 2015

17:22 PM

It's Ladies' Finals Day! To celebrate, a new emoji - #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/SJl1RPfAeT

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 11, 2015

17:05 PM

Preview

It`s just another day in office for Serena Williams, and the American will do what she does best, play a dominating game of tennis. But, today, in the 122nd Ladies` Singles final at the Championships, she will face an upcoming, uber-confident Garbine Muguruza at the Centre Court of All England club. And there will be some records in the offing too.

Having already won 20 Grand Slam singles titles and host of other trophies, Serena will start as the clear favourite when she takes on the 21-year-old Venezuela-born Spaniard. If she manages to win today, as many would expect, the world number one will achieve a second "Serena Slam", by holding all the Majors simultaneously. Besides, at 33 years and 289 days, top-seeded player can also become the oldest woman Grand Slam champion, beating Martina Navratilova's record, who won Wimbledon in 1990 at the age of 33 years and 263 days.

But her biggest claim will be the count of titles, one less than Steffi Graf's Open Era record haul of 22. It looks distinctly possible considering Serena's win-loss record at the finals, which stands at an staggering 20-4. Her four defeats were at the 2001 US Open (to Venus Williams), 2004 Wimbledon (to Maria Sharapova), 2008 Wimbledon (to Venus Williams) and 2011 US Open (to Samantha Stosur).

And her 2015 form also suggests that she is more fitter, hungrier and focused than ever. This year alone, she has won 38 matches - pulling off tough three setters with sheer grit, against a lone defeat.

For Muguruza, it will be more about holding onto herself. The 20-seed has so far played some fantastic tennis, fearlessly, taking on her opponents. After beating the likes of Angelique Kerber, Caroline Wozniacki and Agnieszka Radwanska en route to the final, she can hope to play one more good match to claim Spain's first Ladies' Wimbledon singles title in 21 years. She was nine months old when Conchita Martinez won the title in 1994. And she is the first Spaniard to enter the final, after Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario in 1996.

Considered as one of the hottest prospects in the women's circuit, Muguruza did surprised Serena in the last year's French Open, winning their second round match 6-2,6-2; and has gained enough respect from her opponents. That win at Suzanne Lenglen will give her some confidence ahead of the final, even though, the American had beaten her twice, ever since.