Venus looks for a vintage performance

VENUS Williams will attempt to become the oldest winner of the women’s singles title at Wimbledon for more than a century when she takes on Garbine Muguruza today.

And unlike Charlotte Sterry, who lifted the trophy in 1908 aged 37 years and 282 days, Williams will almost certainly not travel to the All England Club by bicycle.

At 37 years and 28 days, Williams is looking for her first grand slam since Wimbledon nine years ago, when she claimed her fifth crown here and seventh in total.

A gradual decline followed, and when she was diagnosed with the auto-immune condition Sjogren’s syndrome in 2011, it seemed her grand slam-winning days were over. Instead, she kept working and has forced her way back into the major reckoning.

After reaching the semifinals here last year, Williams lost to sister Serena in the final of the Australian Open and is now looking to take the final step. Williams said: “This year has been amazing in terms of my play. Of course, I’m excited about being again in another final.

“I feel very focused. There’s still a lot to be done. I have one more match that I’d like to be the winner of. But I like to take courage in the fact that I’ve played well this tournament and this year, and all these moments have led to this.

“I think it’s wonderful to have the opportunity to play well and have experience. I think experience can either work against you or for you. I like to think it’s working for me.”

Williams, who made her Wimbledon debut 20 years ago,has dropped just one set on her way to the final.

She has been hugely impressive in her last two matches particularly, beating French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko and then Britain’s Johanna Konta.

Muguruza is through to the final for the second time in three years and is looking to go one better after losing to Serena Williams in 2015.