Venus Williams Joyful To Be Back In Finals

By ESPN

LONDON -- In the moment on Thursday, she was joyful and unrestrained. But the moment was fleeting.

Seconds after smashing a forehand winner down the line, out of the reach of Britain's Johanna Konta, and earning a spot in Saturday's Wimbledon final, Venus Williams leaped into the air, kicked her feet up behind her and threw her arms skyward. It was the most unbridled expression she'd allowed herself since arriving at the All England Club two weeks ago without the comfort of her younger sister, Serena. Soon after, news broke that Venus was facing a wrongful death lawsuit for her role in a car accident that eventually took the life of a 78-year-old South Florida man.

On Thursday, she would save her trademark spin and wave to the crowd for later. As she walked off the court, Williams pulled her fists tightly into her chest as if grabbing hold of the moment and embracing it for a few extra beats. When the cameras caught her walking into the tunnel that leads away from Centre Court, she was wearing her trademark Venus Williams smile.
Venus Williams is back in the Wimbledon final for the first time since 2009.

By the time she arrived at her postmatch news conference, she had changed to the somber expression she's worn throughout the tournament. She spoke softly of her excitement at being in the final, but stressed her desire to remain focused throughout the next two days. When pressed on why she seemed less enthusiastic than in years past about making the final -- her ninth at Wimbledon and her first since 2009 -- she said only more of the same.

"I'm definitely in the position I want to be in," Williams said. "It's a long two weeks. Now, you know, I'm knocking on the door for a title. This is where I want to be. So I'm definitely excited. But there's still more to happen. I'm still very focused."

Williams has been the talk of the tournament for more reasons than her punishingly powerful serve. There's the accident and the persistent questions about the emotional toll the experience is taking on her. She has said little publicly about the event, and in her opening news conference last week, the typically stoic player broke down when attempting to explain what the previous two weeks had been like. Then she left the room to compose herself before returning to talk about tennis.

Then, of course, there's her age. With Thursday's win, the 37-year-old Williams became the oldest woman since Martina Navratilova in 1994 to make a Wimbledon final. On Wednesday, Roger Federer became the oldest man since 1974 to make a Wimbledon semi. Both players are healthy and confident and playing impossibly dominant tennis. But while Federer, 35, has spent his news conferences -- which feel more like informal fireside chats -- talking about playing loose and carefree, Williams has hit a trying time.

"There's definitely a lot of ups and downs," Williams said. "I just try to hold my head up high, no matter what is happening in life. In sport, especially, you have injuries. You have illnesses. You're not going to be always playing 100 percent. If I decide to walk out on the court, I try to compete that day."

Heading into the semis, Williams was a remarkable 86-14 at Wimbledon. Konta, in comparison, had a record of 1-5. Over 20 years at the All England Club, Williams has played more finals than Konta has played matches. If experience was to be the difference-maker Thursday -- and on several crucial points, it absolutely seemed it was -- the competition was no contest.

By the time she arrived at her postmatch news conference, she had changed to the somber expression she's worn throughout the tournament. She spoke softly of her excitement at being in the final, but stressed her desire to remain focused throughout the next two days. When pressed on why she seemed less enthusiastic than in years past about making the final -- her ninth at Wimbledon and her first since 2009 -- she said only more of the same.

"I'm definitely in the position I want to be in," Williams said. "It's a long two weeks. Now, you know, I'm knocking on the door for a title. This is where I want to be. So I'm definitely excited. But there's still more to happen. I'm still very focused."

Williams has been the talk of the tournament for more reasons than her punishingly powerful serve. There's the accident and the persistent questions about the emotional toll the experience is taking on her. She has said little publicly about the event, and in her opening news conference last week, the typically stoic player broke down when attempting to explain what the previous two weeks had been like. Then she left the room to compose herself before returning to talk about tennis.

Then, of course, there's her age. With Thursday's win, the 37-year-old Williams became the oldest woman since Martina Navratilova in 1994 to make a Wimbledon final. On Wednesday, Roger Federer became the oldest man since 1974 to make a Wimbledon semi. Both players are healthy and confident and playing impossibly dominant tennis. But while Federer, 35, has spent his news conferences -- which feel more like informal fireside chats -- talking about playing loose and carefree, Williams has hit a trying time.

"There's definitely a lot of ups and downs," Williams said. "I just try to hold my head up high, no matter what is happening in life. In sport, especially, you have injuries. You have illnesses. You're not going to be always playing 100 percent. If I decide to walk out on the court, I try to compete that day."

Heading into the semis, Williams was a remarkable 86-14 at Wimbledon. Konta, in comparison, had a record of 1-5. Over 20 years at the All England Club, Williams has played more finals than Konta has played matches. If experience was to be the difference-maker Thursday -- and on several crucial points, it absolutely seemed it was -- the competition was no contest.

Is the Big Four no more?

Roger Federer is the last man standing after the high-profile exits of defending champion Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. The resurgence of the big servers has opened up the possibility of a first Wimbledon champion since 2003 outside the famous quartet.

Sam Querrey, Murray's conqueror, is looking to be America's first male champion since Pete Sampras in 2000. But Querrey's semifinal opponent, Marin Cilic, is on the hunt for his second major title. Tomas Berdych made the final in London seven years ago and hopes to match that feat -- and then go one better -- when he faces Federer on Centre Court on Friday.
No. 24 Sam Querrey vs. No. 7 Marin Cilic (Cilic leads series 4-0)

Key for Querrey: The American will be on a high after beating Murray to make his first-ever Grand Slam semifinal. It's the second successive year that Querrey has knocked out the defending champion and top seed, having ousted Djokovic last year.

Querrey could become the first man to play in a Wimbledon final seeded 24 or lower since Mark Philippoussis (unseeded) in 2003. Fatigue could be a factor, though; the 29-year-old has played three straight five-setters to get to this point.

Querrey has also spent more time on court than Cilic to get to the semifinal stage. At 12 hours, 39 minutes in total, and having played 22 sets, it has taken Querrey longer than anyone else to get to the final four.

Key for Cilic: The Croatian is contesting his first Grand Slam semifinal since the 2015 US Open, and he's worked hard to get here. Cilic, 28, has covered more distance than anyone else left in the singles draws, running 5.41 miles. He is, however, enjoying his best run at the Championships, having never made it past the quarterfinals before this year.

This is Cilic's 11th Wimbledon, and he seems ever more determined to double his major-title tally. He's the real sleeper in in this draw. His serve has been excellent, and if his powerful baseline hitting is on song, he could prove too much for Querrey.

The pair have history at Wimbledon, too, having gone five sets twice -- in 2009 and 2012. Cilic, the 2014 US Open champion, won both ties; the fifth-set decider five years ago finished 17-15 in the seventh seed's favor.

Prediction: History dictates this one will go the distance, and with both players seemingly in form, it is difficult to see anything other than five sets. Querrey's giant-killing run will come to an end as Cilic sees it through.
No. 3 Roger Federer vs No. 11 Tomas Berdych (Federer leads series 18-6)

Key for Federer: Federer's decision to sit out the entire clay-court season has worked wonders for his Wimbledon campaign as he is making a record 12th semifinal appearance. Federer is playing sublime tennis and remains the only man left in the singles draw yet to drop a set. It's the 10th time in his career that he has reached a Grand Slam semifinal without losing a set.

Despite the long Federer-Berdych rivalry, the last time they played on grass was their quarterfinal here in 2010. Berdych was victorious that day -- and went on to reach the final -- but Federer holds a 2-1 record over his opponent on this surface. Federer, 35, should have plenty left in the tank as he chases an eighth Wimbledon crown. It's taken the Swiss only 13 completed sets and 3.72 miles of running to get to the semifinal stage.

Federer racked up his 89th match win at Wimbledon with his quarterfinal victory over Milos Raonic -- more than any man in the Open era -- in what was his 100th match overall at the London Grand Slam.

There could a bad omen for Berdych, too: Federer is 13-1 in his Grand Slam career in the semifinals or later against double-digit/unseeded players.

Key for Berdych: After playing less than two sets against the injured Djokovic in his quarterfinal, Berdych admitted he could not be in a better position going into his tussle with Federer. Less physical exertion and the extra rest could prove crucial, particularly if this contest goes five sets.

Berdych knows what it takes to beat Federer at Wimbledon and make a final here, having achieved both in the same tournament seven years ago. However, he has not beaten Federer since their semifinal meeting in Dubai in 2013.

Prediction: After Raonic's quarterfinal defeat, he said Federer is playing the best tennis at the tournament. With that in mind, there is only one winner here -- but expect Berdych to put up a fight. Federer in four.