Chance of all-German final remains possible

An unpredictable women’s tournament is coming to a head with Serena Williams homing in on a 24th grand slam singles title and German tennis unexpectedly in the limelight.

In the semi-finals today, Williams will face first-timer Julia Goerges while Angelique Kerber meets last year’s French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko.

It is the first time in the Open era, which began in 1968, that two German women have reached the Wimbledon semis in the same year. It is also the first time it has occurred at any grand slam since Steffi Graf and Anke Huber at the French Open in 1993.

Goerges is the surprise among the quartet, having never previously made it past the fourth round at any slam.

The 29-year-old said: “I think Angie did a much better job than I did the last years because she was almost in every semi-final.

“To really share this feeling with her, with a nation, I think that’s something which is pretty special.

“It sounds crazy to maybe have the chance to share a German final in Wimbledon. It’s still one more match to go for both of us. But it’s great to see there is a chance.”

Goerges’ success is all the more surprising because she had lost in the first round for the last five years at Wimbledon and considered grass her weakest surface.

“For me it’s much sweeter to get to the semi-final here than in probably other grand slams because I didn’t expect it,” she said.

For Goerges to make it one step further, she must do what no player has done since Alize Cornet in 2014 – beat Williams in singles at Wimbledon.

“Obviously she has won so many titles here, not only here, a lot of grand slams beside Wimbledon,” said Goerges, the 13th seed. “It’s an honour to share the court with her.”

Williams has contested 35 slam semi-finals compared to just 10 for her three rivals combined. Kerber has been the most successful of the other contenders, making the last four seven times at the majors.

From those appearances, she has reached three finals, all in 2016, when she beat Williams to win the Australian Open, lost to her in the Wimbledon final, then won the US Open.

She wilted under the pressure last year but, at number 11, Kerber is also the highest seed left, and said: “I think I learned a lot from the last two years, especially from the mental side. Now I know what I have to do on court, but also off court.”

Latvian Ostapenko, who won the junior crown at Wimbledon four years ago, said: “Of course it’s a big advantage that I have already a grand slam in my pocket because I had this opportunity to play those big matches already.

“But here is a completely different surface, different grand slam, all different. I have all this motivation to just win another one.”