A SERENE DAY FOR WILLIAMS ‘I don’t feel the pressure as much. I’ve done everything’

ANOTHER day that belonged to Serena Williams, yet another Wimbledon that may well belong to Serena Williams.

Sure, Britain’s national tennis treasure had a happy part to play in it, but Tuesday on Centre Court was all about the woman who continues to defy the years and who has been a dominant force here for the best part of two decades.

Andy Murray, all fist-pumps and roars, loved every moment of an entertaining knockabout win in the second round of the mixed doubles over Fabrice Martin and Raquel Atawo, with a smiling Serena adding to the revelry.

But what will have given her the most satisfaction is how she earlier battled her way to yet another Grand Slam singles semi-final with a hard-fought 6-4 4-6 6-3 win over fellow American Alison Riske.

There was precious littl e smiling in the execution of that far more significant task.

As she stalks sullenly around the court in her serious singles mode, Williams might not cut the most carefree of figures, but beneath th e moody surface lies an athlete at peace with her standing in the sport, fulfilled by her incredible achievements already.

And they ARE incredible.

She has won 23 Grand

Slam singles titles – one more and she draws level with Margaret Court at the top of the all-time list. Throw in her doubles escapades and it is 39 titles.

With 342 wins in Grand Slam singles matches, she has the most of any w oman or man in the open era.

An eighth

Wimbledon crown would put her ahead of Steffi Graf and behind only ninetime champ ion Martina Navratilova. Not far short of her 38th birthday, if she gets past Barbora Strycova, she will become the oldest woman to reach a Wimbledon singles final.

And, according to Serena, age has brought serenity, even if she did cop a £10,000 fine for damaging a court in practice here and even if she has now, in a long magazine interview, admitted she felt compelled to see a therapist after her meltdown at the US Open last year. She said: “I definitely felt a lot more pressure as I got older. Now that I am past o l d e r, I feel a l i tt l e bi t l e s s pressure. Now it’s like I’ve done everything I need to do. Like, I’ve had a great career, so I don’t feel the pressure as much any more.”

Which is why she was not fazed when Riske won the second set to take it to a decider in their match.

Of three seeds left in the women’s draw, Williams is the lowest, but only a brave person would bet against her.

And, having won with Max Mirnyi 21 years ago, maybe she will collect a second mixed doubles title here.

However far the Williams-murray combination advances – and they will now meet the top seeds Bruno Soares and Nicole Melichar – it will be fun while it lasts.

On being told Williams had decided to name the pair Murena, rather than Serandy as the Scot suggested, Murray smiled: “Serena is the boss, so whatever she says goes.”

And the boss was clearly enjoying being an honorary Brit for a while, simply saying: “I’m having a blast.”

As for the important stuff, more history for a remarkable sportswoman awaits.