Serena Williams: Two Wimbledon championships in a day (+video)

On Saturday, she enjoyed the highest of the highs as she matched her sister Venus's haul of five Wimbledon trophies by becoming the first 30-something to win the title since Martina Navratilova achieved the feat in 1990.

"Coming here and winning today is amazing because literally last year I was ranked almost 200. It's been an unbelievable journey for me," said the world number six.

That journey almost took a backward slide just five weeks ago when Serena lost in the opening round of the French Open, the first time she had exited so early from a grand slam tournament.

GALE FORCE
But just as many started writing Serena's tennis obituary, she roared back to stop Radwanska from becoming the first Polish grand slam winner.
Radwanska's title hopes had already looked rather bleak as not only had she never won a set against Serena before, but as she prepared for the biggest match of her career, she was already battling respiratory problems which she blamed on the rain and blustery winds of the non-existent British summer.

Saturday's damp, chilly and gloomy conditions on Centre Court would have done little to lift Radwanska's mood and it was not long before she was being blown away by a gale force named Serena.

As Serena moved within one point of blanking out Radwanska from the first set, it led one fan to tweet "this final will be over before you can put a kettle on".

Radwanska could have done with a hot drink herself as she sniffled and coughed during the changeovers and she got a chance to warm her throat when the players were briefly forced off court at the end of the first set when a slight drizzle started to fall.

The short respite did nothing to halt Serena's charge as she steamed to a 4-2 lead. But just when it seemed that Serena would be wrapping up one of the most one-sided Wimbledon finals, Radwanska's game suddenly caught fire and she levelled for 4-4.

The 23-year-old Pole drew Serena into lengthy rallies and when the American netted a backhand to surrender the second set, the crowd erupted into wild applause.

Serena, though, is not one for cowering and one 49-second blitz summed up her intentions. She fired four thunderbolt aces to win the fourth game of the third set, and from then on, her opponent never got a look in.

Serena followed up her 102nd ace of the tournament with a screaming service winner to bring up matchpoint, and seconds later it was all over.
"I'm still shaking so much. I think I had the best two weeks of my life. She was too good today, but I'm just so happy to be here in the final. I think it was not my day but I'll try again next year," a sobbing Radwanska said during the presentation ceremony.

Serena then rounded off a successful day for the Williams clan as she and Venus joined forces to capture a fifth Wimbledon doubles title, beating Czech sixth seeds Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka 7-5 6-4.

While Serena was off to sort out her outfit for the champions ball, Roger Federer was getting ready to strike a double blow for the 30-somethings when he takes on British hope Andy Murray in the men's final on Sunday.

A Serena-Federer triumph would mean it would be the first time since 1975 when both Wimbledon singles titles have been won by the over 30s.
Jonathan Marray kicked off what could be a weekend of national euphoria for British tennis when he became the first home player since 1936 to

win the Wimbledon men's doubles title with Danish partner Frederik Nielsen.

Just a day before near-namesake Murray hopes to end Britain's 76-year wait for a men's singles champion, wildcards Marray and Nielsen sent the Centre Court crowd into a frenzy after downing fifth seeds Robert Lindstedt and Horia Tecau 4-6 6-4 7-6 6-7 6-3. (Editing by Toby Davis)

(Editing by Alison Wildey)

IN PICTURES: Wimbledon's heroes

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