• Wimbledon, Day 12

Serena cruises to Wimbledon glory

Serena Williams was too good in all departments for Vera Zvonareva © Getty Images

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Serena Williams claimed her fourth Wimbledon singles title with a comprehensive 6-3 6-2 win over Vera Zvonareva.

Williams came into the final without dropping a set and it was always likely to be a big ask for Zvonareva. The Russian attempted to trade blows with the world No. 1 but when it mattered, Williams stepped up her level and it was appropriate that she wrapped up victory with a bludgeoning forehand.

"This one's very special," she told the Centre Court crowd. "It's amazing to be among such great people. I'm so happy and I feel so blessed. My dream was able to come true."

Williams has had a tendency to start slowly, but at this year's Wimbledon she has made early statements of intent and she did that in the final by opening with a love service game. To her credit, Zvonareva held her opening game but the power of Williams from the back of the court repeatedly forced her behind the baseline.

Williams worked a break point in the sixth game as Zvonareva pushed a forehand wide, but an excellent topspin forehand staved off break point and an ace down the middle helped her hold.

The pressure from Williams was relentless and Zvonareva cracked in the eighth game. The world No. 1's combination of power and athleticism secured the break as she chased down a volley before flicking a forehand pass down the line.

Williams' serve has been rock solid throughout the fortnight and she held in style to take the first set in 36 minutes. The American finished the tournament level with Andy Murray on 89 aces, and she commented: "I've honestly never served like this. I just feel like at Wimbledon, when I come onto this grass and this court, I start serving well and I want to keep it up."

The champion turned up the pressure at the start of the second set and claimed an immediate break as Zvonareva, admittedly under pressure, threw a backhand into the net.

Zvonareva stopped the rot when holding in the third game, but it was only a brief moment of respite as Williams secured a double break in the fifth game of the second set.

Williams has never been one to take her foot off the jugular and she stepped up her hitting to clinch the title, the 13th grand slam of her career, in an hour and six minutes and she is now above Billie-Jean King in the all-time list.

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