Ladies & Men's Doubles Final Wimbledon

Today at Wimbledon the ladies' champion was crowned and once again

it was the world number one, Serena Williams. This is the moment that

she won her 7th Wimbledon Crown, her 22nd Grand Slam tight toll equal the

open era record of Steffi Graf. Wonderful scenes on Centre Court and

a warm embrace for her opponent Angelique kerber who played her

part. A wonderful match and great rallies but it was Serena who was

just too good at the end of both sets. Serena is the champion once

again. We have seen history made on Centre Court. Shes had a busy day

because she will be back in the ladies' doubles final. Now we are

heading to Centre Court to rejoin the match you may have seen on BBC

One, it's the men's double final. An all-French affair with Pierre-Hugues

Herbert and Nicolas Mahut and jewel general Benneteau and Edouard

Roger-Vasselin. -- Julian. Let's join our commentators now.

Five games each. Herbert and Mahut were two points away from the set in

the last Roger-Vasselin's service game but now just a little bit of

pressure on the shoulders of the youngest member of this quartet,

here he is, Pierre Hugues Herbert. He has dealt with everything

impressively with everything that's been thrown at him so far.

Mahut makes the fourth round of the singles and is probably best known

in these parts for his role in that extraordinary match with John Isner,

the 11-hour classic. He is really enjoying some fine success at this

relatively late stage of his career. He is 34. Herbert to the right is

just 25. Winning in New York last year and

finalists as well at the start of 2015. It's their third Grand Slam

final in 18 months and at a time of transition, Peter Fleming, in the

men's doubles with the Bryans stuck on 16 Slams, they haven't won one

for a while, do you sense this is a team that could dominate for a

while? Well, they certainly have the possibility of doing so. I mean,

they have done so over the last nine months or so. So, it's certainly a

possibility. They're not easy to break. They are flashy, can just

light up return games. Well, the cheer suggests that was a

fine catch. Well done, sir! His moment in the spotlight.

Benneteau has held serve confidently in the second set, just dropping two

points in total in his three service games in this set.

At 6-6 it's tie-break time. Always in these situations it's the team

that lost the - it's more of a must-win tie-breaker for them than

the other team, obviously. You can't afford to go down 2-0.

Not sure if that was going in, was it? It came at him fast. But seemed

pretty high up. Difficult to judge.

Didn't see it early enough, that's for sure.

Oh, dear! Two in a row. Wasn't an easy shot, but certainly

should have made it from that height. Could at least make his

opponents play. Now in big trouble. Double break.

A tie-break to forget so far for Roger-Vasselin. Sounded as... When

the volley is that easy there is no reason to take any chance. I agree I

thought it felt like it was dropping in, that ball.

He was off balance on that volley. It was relatively comfortable too

from Herbert. Don't know quite what he was doing there. Didn't get set.

Perhaps just the power of the returns of Herbert and Mahut

catching their opponents off guard, just not reacting quickly enough.

It's been a poor tie-breaker for them so far.

APPLAUSE Got there in the end.

The penultimate shot, this one, very tentatively played by Herbert.

Thankfully, Mahut there to save the day. Roger-Vasselin and Benneteau

have lost all four points played on their serve. Five set points.

It's been so keenly contested this final. That really took us by

surprise that one-sided tie-break. Terrible, one of those things that

can sometimes happen and they started off so badly, particularly

Julien Benneteau, just two volleys right on top of the net. Then they

never recovered. As you say it was completely strange because they were

both backing their serves up so well during the set and then just fell

apart when the tie-breaker was on. Of course, coming back from 2-0 down

not out of the question, but it is quite a task. Really the only thing

you can recommend is one step at a time, the old cliche. Just play the

first couple of games as if your life depended on it and just keep

trudging onwards. You can see when Herbert and Mahut

get their first serves in play they are rough. The stats there actually

were better for Benneteau and Roger-Vasselin. But it's just they

played an awful tie-breaker. Up until then their stats were slightly

better for them in that set. As you said earlier on, with the

Bryan brothers seemingly past their peak now, there is a huge

opportunity for a doubles team to really be the dominating factor.

There must be, Jamie Murray, all these teams, Jamie has been number

one in the world, not for such a long time but he has hit number one.

All these players who must fancy their chances now because it's wide

open really. Of course Jamie is the reigning an Open champion with

Bruono Suarez. Really there's been such a variety of winners in the

Grand Slams the last couple of years. So many of them new teams, as

well. Yeah. They have such long careers now. A lot of guys in their

late 30s, early 40s still playing. I think that's to do with the no add

scoring at all the tournaments and no third sets so you are only

playing for an hour really in these doubles matches so you don't have to

be sort of in amazing physical condition. You can keep training and

it's a sharp sort of match for an hour but that's about it. They

obviously did that to try to get the top players to play and

unfortunately it hasn't really worked. That was one of the things

they've tried. It seems that ship has sailed now in terms of getting

the top players to play at certainly major events. Occasionally they'll

play in the Palm Springs and a couple of Super Series they'll play

to get practise. Other than that you don't really see top players play,

which is a pity. It would be fun to watch them in these matches to see

how they would go up against the doubles specialists.

Perhaps the next generation because there is no question that doubles

really can be a great learning tool for young players, especially. Learn

how to serve and volley, how to return serve against a player who is

serving in volley. We have seen that ska Raonic, how much he has improved

by bringing that coming forward ethic into his game.

Great tennis! APPLAUSE That was great, quick reactions,

here, how quickly did he move and then improvise to get that ball over

the head? But then, Roger-Vasselin, what a forehand, what whip on the

ball. That is out of court and Benneteau

and Roger-Vasselin starting as they mean to go on. It is set they have

to win to stay in with a chance of winning bids were more than final

but what point that was, the second point of the third set. Well worth

having another look at this. What amazed me, Peter, is how well Mahut

managed to scoop up the log from just a couple of inches on his side

of the Netcom here. Yes, he did well to get there but in fact, as you

say, to improvise and get the log up as quickly as he did. Pretty

special. -- the log. Would look like you lob wedge on the golf course,

Peter, is that right? I've heard your pretty good with that Phil

Mickelson type of thing. You heard well!

Lie the call is being challenged on the right baseline, the ball is

called in. -- UMPIRE: The call is being challenged. It was in, and the

umpires that that Benneteau was challenging. I died thing he wanted

to challenge his own shot. It was a brilliant one. -- I don't think. He

was thinking of my foot. -- Mr Herbert and Mr Mahut have two

challenges remaining. Oh, what a volley. Yes, he did well.

I think Roger-Vasselin was disappointed in himself that he was

not able to get across because although it was a great low volley

from Herbert, it looked as though Roger-Vasselin might have been able

to take it. APPLAUSE

What a shot that was! APPLAUSE

Stepping up a bit, you feel, in the early stages of the third set.

Edouard Roger-Vasselin come here, 32 years old, to serve at 1-1. UMPIRE:

Stop, Mr Herbert and Mr Mahut challenging the call on the right

service line. The ball is called in. SLOW CLAPPING

UMPIRE: 15-0. Not sure Mr Mahut is impressed with his team-mate's

decision to challenge! Mr Herbert and Mr Mahut have one challenge

remaining. O! LAUGHTER

APPLAUSE He should have run the opposite way,

not towards it. He should have gone to the side and said," here you go,

your point". Does he think he is playing rugby or something, with an

up and under? Perhaps his best chance, actually.

Spectacular, perhaps, well, perhaps wasted at 40-0, but you never know.

The smash from Benneteau, bounces, one on the commentary box at the far

end and then all the way up into the players' box. Up there, Christophe

Roger-Vasselin, the former French Open semifinalist, and one Benneteau

to the right, the younger brother of Julian. He has worked in the past

for a French newspaper L'Equipe. In the other team, Mark Woodforde is

Nicolas Mahut's doubles coach and has done some excellent work with

the Frenchman in the past year or so, the multiple Grand Slam

champion. City area also works with a number of the French players, on

the left. -- Thierry also works. A good crowd in, took a while for the

stadium to fill up again especially in the first set after the

excitement of the Ladies' Singles final but people have come back in,

and maybe some other lucky spectators have got their hands on

tickets, in the retail scheme, on the golden ticket, so getting close

to full. -- in the resale scheme. Changed up the pace on that serve,

put it in at 101. Benneteau cranked that return. A bit of trouble, here.

You could see the secret communication between Mahut and

Herbert before that point. Sometimes, they will just sort it

out at the baseline like that. Sometimes, it will be a hand behind

the back. I've never understood that. Do they think the opponents

can lip read? How do they expect that you can hear them from the

other side of the baseline? But maybe they can.

So good. So good. You can just see, when they are both that the net,

they backed up their first half-volley or volley. Once they are

up there, they have got this sort of like 8-foot rope attached to them

and they just move when the other one moves. They just can't get

through their defences once they are at the net. They have been superb.

I think that's about the fourth time he has told him to leave the ball

and he's disregarded him every time! He is also shouting out as he is

hitting the ball, isn't he? So much so that they are looking for

the line judges, here. "Where Has the call, from?" That instant

decision-making is so key in doubles. -- where has the call come

from. It looked as though Roger-Vasselin

perhaps allowed that ball to come to him. APPLAUSE

This is like the start of the first set, service dominating. Benneteau

and Roger-Vasselin have to win this set, though. Certainly serving well.

You would take that any day. Two love service holds for Benneteau.

You would take that any day, too. LAUGHTER

Definitely take that any day. But those numbers in the grand scheme of

things mean very little while there is a big, fat zero next to their

name on the set part of the scoreboard. 2-0 down in sets to

Herbert and Mahut, Nicolas Mahut having reached the final of all four

Grand Slams. Australian Open finalist from last year and they

also reached the French Open final in 2013 with Michael Llodra, another

fine French player from the last ten years or so. -- Mahut also reached.

Beating David Ferrer in his run to the last 16 of the singles. That was

a decent win and unusually, beat his doubles partner as well in the third

round. Herbert to serve at 2-3, third set.

That was a good serve. He has a lag on his service swing. But he comes

through it well. He did get nervous in the previous round and served a

few double faults. But so far today he has been excellent.

Normally hits those very well. Just cut that one too fine.

Good value for the Centre Court spectators today enjoying this men's

doubles final following a win A win for Serena Williams. And there

is her coach, Patrick. Looks like he's dressed ready for a

big night out tonight! A celebration planned, and well-deserved.

Oh! How good was he in that rally? The way he got down on all those

shots. Easy to pull up and hit the ball so hard. Stayed low. And then

that last explosion. Boom! What a point.

He's really carrying the team at the moment in this game. How about you

returning one? That's what he brings to the team. He gets hot and there

is nothing you can do about it. Oh! Just what he was asking for. Now

Roger-Vasselin is in trouble because he is break point down. Already

trailing 2-0. You can see they're taking time here. He doesn't quite

know where to serve this ball. He's been equally good on both sides in

this game. What a game he played. That was awesome play. Played four

perfect points on his side and Mahut made that great return at deuce.

Break of serve. Where do you serve to him? They tried to serve to his

body, that didn't work. Wide to his backhand didn't work. To his

forehand didn't work. Unfortunately, Roger-Vasselin's serve is not big

enough to sort of bully him on those occasions and whes hot, as you were

saying, Peter, he is just awesome. Yeah, and of course Herbert has been

a top 100 player in singles. And it makes you wonder, if perhaps a

sports psychologist couldn't get into his head and help him play a

little more consistently or play well a little more consistently. He

could threaten the top 50 because the guy has a lot of tools. Really

he has every shot. Serves well, returns well. Just prone to the odd

period where he moves out of concentration or belief or whatever

it is. Two more service holds required from Mahut and Herbert.

Haven't lost their serve in the match so far. Faced four break

points, they've saved them all. At the moment Mahut serving his team

towards the title. That was a 131 serve too. That's

when you use the pace of the serve. Short back swing and directs it

right back. A fantastic return. A wonderful position for them to

find themselves in. After a fraction over two hours at

Centre Court, Mahut and Herbert are one game away from their first

Wimbledon title. Roger-Vasselin didn't do enough with

that first volley. Yeah, things are going the wrong way

for Benneteau and Roger-Vasselin at the moment. Their opponents are on

fire. Oh, it's gone long and wide. The

teamwork has been superb today from Mahut and Herbert.

UMPIRE: Deuce. An excellent serve, 121, but deep, right in the corner.

This one here coming up, he looked ready and it kind of checked. You

could see he was off balance when he hit that forehand.

Oh! Really nicely played. Mahut was so

far behind the baseline when he hit the ground stroke. No time to make

up the ground. What a wonderful moment for Nicolas

Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herbert from France, the Wimbledon Men's Doubles

champions for 2016, their second Grand Slam title, their first year

at Wimbledon -- here at Wimbledon. And Mahut, there, struggling to hold

back the tears, the man who will always be remembered as the man who

lost one of the most famous matches ever. Now he has won and now he's a

champion. Well, you can see clearly why Mahut... Ladies and gentlemen,

we ask that you please remain in your seats for the trophy

presentation ceremony which will take place shortly in the Royal box.

You can see why they are the number one pair in the world right now.

They were solid on serve and took turns taking over return games.

Exactly. But they were so solid at the net as

a combination, very difficult to get past them today.

And for young Pierre-Hugues Herbert, only 25, what a performance that

was. You know, the match of his life, Centre Court, held nothing

back, no nerves. Was he the standout man for you, John? I think he was

the best on the court. Mahut was great as well, obviously, but for

me, Herbert was just amazing. As is tradition for the doubles

final, the trophy presentation is conducted in the Royal box so they

have to leave the court first, go up through the stairs of the

All-England Club for a -- foyer, past the wonderful trophies on

display, through a door and into the Royal box, back into view and they

will be lifting a trophy of their own. The first success of the

weekend for France! The footballers will try to do it tomorrow night.

But they are now the standout team, aren't they, at the top of the game?

The reigning US Open champion Wimbledon champions. -- champions.

With any luck, they will win their repeal regarding Olympic

qualification as well this week and had to Rio where they will make

their debut as a team in Davis Cup -- and they will make their debut as

a team in the Davis Cup when France head to the Czech Republic this

weekend. All is rather rosy in the world of Herbert and Mahut. And to

remind you, he is 34 years of age, still looks a lot done Diop -- a lot

younger, doesn't he, but he has been playing this game for a long time

but really, now is finding a settled partner who he can win big

tournaments with. She has won a few of these, what is it? 62 major

titles, singles and doubles, Margaret Court, amazing. They must

be a bit tired, getting up those stairs. Carrying those big, heavy

bags. You did not have that problem in your day, Peter, did not have

those big, heavy bags. Ladies and gentlemen, the

presentation of the Gentlemen's Doubles and Girls' Singles trophies

will now take place in the Royal box. Trophies will be presented by

his Royal Highness, the Duke of Kent, President of the All-England

Club. Ladies and gentlemen, the Gentlemen's Doubles 2016 runners-up,

Julien Benneteau and Edouard Roger-Vasselin! APPLAUSE

They had a terrific run to the final, beating a horse lyrics of

Grand Slam winners to get here, including Jamie Murray -- beating a

host of Grand Slam winners. That was a bit of an epic. You can see the

disappointment in their faces, can't you? Benneteau in particular knows

that he did not bring anywhere near to his best tennis onto the court

today. His opponents did not allow it.

APPLAUSE And the Wimbledon Gentlemen's

Doubles champions 2016, Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas

Mahut! APPLAUSE Well, Mahut's name is on a plaque by

Court 18, where he played that 11 hour match with John Isner. He was

the loser that day but I have always thought, ever since, he has dealt

with that occasion with great dignity in defeat. Now his name will

be inscribed on the winners honours role in the Men's Doubles, alongside

Pierre-Hugues Herbert. And they thoroughly deserved their second

Grand Slam title together. Another Wimbledon win for Mark

Woodforde. This time, as a coach. And now, ladies and gentlemen, the

Girls' Singles 2016. The runner-up, Dan air Yastremska! -- down I

Yastremska! In the traditional final say, the

Centre Court crowd get to see the rising stars.

And the Wimbledon Girls' Singles champion 2016, Anastasia Potapova!

APPLAUSE SUE BARKER: And here is Anastasia

Potapova, the world number one junior, just 15 years of age and

this is her first Grand Slam junior title. What a great moment for her.

Remember the name, Anastasia Potapova, we will be hearing a lot

more from her, making Sophie mistakes. Her opponent today,

Yastremska of Ukraine hit more winners but she was so consistent

today, Potapova, and she is the junior champion. Wonderful moment

for them to celebrate the Royal box. One of the other great traditions at

this club. So, still one more final to come on Centre Court and that is

the Ladies' Doubles which will feature the Williams sisters, so a

very busy day for Serena Williams. But before we joined that, time for

you to pick your shot of the tournament and there are eight to

choose from. Oh, my goodness! How on earth did he

get that back? That may be the best shot of the championship so far.

That is phenomenal! Every inch of physical and mental power won that

point. They have let it go but still in

play. Oh, what a get by Leander Paes! Extraordinary. Oh, no! Oh, my

word! An absolutely brilliant point. Oh, what a winner! And what a way to

win. Oh, it's good! And it's good from

Nick Kyrgios, they very rarely come off but it turned into near-perfect

lob. Murray continues to torment Tomas

Berdych. Oh, yes! She can do anything!

Incredible reaction from Serena. , On, get up! This is unbelievable!

-- come on. He has got some good hands and feel. This is too good. So

many wonderful shots and some great memories. Pick your favourite to

vote. So, just before we head back to

Centre Court to see the Ladies' Doubles final, we are going to show

you what happened out on Court Number One in the semifinal of the

Mixed Doubles, featuring Heather Watson of Great Britain and her

partner, Henri Kontinen, up against over Iraq and Gullane Ostapenko.

Watson and confident won the first set and we join it at 2-2 with

Oliver Marach to serve. Liz Smiley and David Mercer watching this one.

COMMENTATOR: Shot selection lacking a little bit from Oliver Marach.

What a return! I told her she had to be waiting for that one down the

middle and she was. Well struck by Watson, look at this, just perfectly

hit. It was flat, it was living. What an opportunity now, three break

points. Credit to Marach, he has got in two

first serves but he could do with another.

SUE BARKER: We are going to move it on a few games, and this is Marach

serving to stay in the match. You said she was in a pushle patch.

She remains in the purple patch. Heather Watson, another terrific

return. This is off a first serve. Has done a good job of look for the

one down the middle. This was the change up to the back side.

Oh! It was a double hit but that is now legal. When you were playing

that would have been a foul. Now it's one swing. As long as you only

have one swing it's a legal shot. Ostapenko claiming it was a double

hit, it was but it's now perfectly legal.

She wouldn't be the first tennis player not to know the rules of the

game. That's why the umpire's there. He did, yeah.

Marach has lost his forehand totally. It is match point.

UMPIRE: Deuce. LAUGHTER

Getting in on the tension! UMPIRE: Challenge to the call. The

ball was called in. This was mighty close. And out.

A double fault! Andy Murray will not be the only

Brit in a Wimbledon final this year because Heather Watson and Henri

Kontineen who only ever played three matches together in their lives are

through to the final. You can hear the reaction of the crowd. Well

done, Heather Watson. APPLAUSE AND

CHEERING Wonderful scenes out on court number

one. It's a wonderful story. She was so disappointed in the first week,

walking away from court heart-broken at having lost. Here she is, proud

mum watching on, as well. In a Wimbledon final, she will be on

Centre Court tomorrow. What a story. What a lovely story. That will be

tomorrow. But we still have one final to be played here on Centre

Court. Here they come. This is the Williams sisters, Serena and Venus.

What a record they have here. They're taking on Timea Babos and

Yaroslava Shvedova. They won't be overawed by the occasion. This

promises to be quite some match. It was lovely to hear Serena talk about

her sister and what an inspiration she was to her growing up. They have

a wonderful record. 12 singles titles between them here at

Wimbledon. They've won this doubles title five times, as well. In fact,

they've never lost when they've reached a Wimbledon final, that's

how strong they are as a doubles team. Serena was here in the studio

talking earlier about what a difference Patrick, her coach, has

made over the past four years and they've now won nine Grand Slam

titles. I think the one today equalling Steffi Graf's record of 22

is very, very special. Let's hear from Patrick. He has been talking to

Rishi. First of all, congratulations. What

was Serena's reaction like, what did you chat about when she came off

court? It was very interesting because the match point she won

today was this volley, forehand down the line, it was exactly the volley

she missed in the final of Australia against the same player on the match

point. This was a good symbol of switching from a defeat to a

victory. When we spoke yesterday about this you said all you can

control are the elements that are within your own scope and you said

you put her back in the same position, like she was, a tennis

watch against Angelique Kerber in the final, what was the difference

today? There was a huge difference. First of all, whatever happened she

never panicked. She was calm. She was focussing on her own strength.

The most important thing we found back Serena. She's a player that is

not like every other player. She's an unbelievable champion for many

reasons but one of her characteristics is this ability on

key moments of the watch to raise her level. When she threatens on a

serve to hit aces, when she's getting the break points to play the

best tennis of her life. And that's what she did today. This ability to

win the big matches with big crowds on the big moments, that's what

champions are made for and she showed that she was back. A lot of

people watching today have said that because she's now won 22 that it's

almost inevitable that she will go on and beat Margaret Court's record

of 24 Grand Slam titles. How do you talk about that with her? Do you

even bring it up or do you just play each tournament and take each

victory? First of all, I don't listen to what people say otherwise

I will go crazy! Because you hear so many things. Well, to be honest, I

am more happy about winning a Grand Slam again than reaching 22. Because

we were in a situation in the last eight months that was not

comfortable. I was not feeling Serena being herself. This is what I

was looking for, to find back the real Serena and that's what I am

happy with. I told you I think yesterday that after Roland Garros

we had a talk on the phone and I realised she was back. She showed

it, this tournament she showed it. In the final it was crystal clear.

Now she has 22. She's not someone who equals records, she's someone

who beats records. For sure we are going to go on. How far we going to

go on? I don't know. Nobody knows. But since we have the belief and

since she wants to do it, I think she can go quite far. The other

thing you spoke about recently when we chatted was that you said, for

example, when she won at Roland Garros a few years ago, five minutes

after winning the French Open she's saying right, let's focus on

Wimbledon. Do you - is she in that frame of mind already or do you say

enjoy the moment pause that's what you have worked hard for? She would

deserve 100% to enjoy the moment. But she's not like that. I don't

want to change her. That's what makes her the champion she is. This

ability to immediately forget what she's achieved and already focus on

something else, that makes her Serena. I am not going to try to

change that, that would be a mistake. I think the same. That's

why we get along so well. Patrick, always a pleasure to speak to you.

Congratulations, hope you enjoy the moment and look forward to the next

one. Thank you very much. He certainly has brought Serena back

to her best. They're a formidable team. Talking of formidable teams,

the Williams sisters have a wonderful record and looking forward

to representing the United States at the Olympics. Their goal today is

another Wimbledon title. They're up against Babos and Shvedova, the

number five seeds. Let's join our commentators for this match.

For all they've achieved it's been a while since they shared a court for

a Grand Slam final, four years since they won this title in 2012. Almost

hard to believe 16 years since they won their first title in tandem

here. And here they are again, still here. Still setting the standards.

Venus Williams, a couple of years older than her little sister. Hours

after winning the singles title she's back on Centre Court going for

another Wimbledon title. Doing the best to stand in their way this

evening, a happy tennising partnership with Hungary and

Kazakhstan --. Second time she's come across Venus

at this year's championships, beaten in the quarter-finals. Centre Court

pleasantly populated once again by familiar faces. Mum who has pretty

much parked herself on this court over the last fortnight, Sam. I

wonder if Beyonce and Jay Z will stay for the doubles, that will

really test their stamina, won't it? They may be making a few plans for

the Williams party tonight. What's great about this final is that Babos

and -- and Shvedova are a proper pair, they'll certainly test Venus

and Serena. They dropped one set on the way to

the final. Otherwise it's been plain sailing. But here is the challenge.

There's never been anything quite like these two.

UMPIRE: First set. Venus Williams to serve. Four years on from winning

this title on this court they're trying to do it again.

Lots to talk about for these two. Certainly aware when you are trying

to deliver to Shvedova, probably want to stay away from that backhand

return. Nicely to the net. Closing the door

on the Williams. APPLAUSE

It's been fascinating watching them throughout this tournament. I have

caught a few of their matches. One against the Czechs. They've got

sharper and sharper with each round. And I think that is the first volley

she has missed on Centre Court today because there's quite a few people

in the media who feel that the fact Serena has played doubles here at

Wimbledon had a big part in her success in the Ladies' Singles. She

did not miss one volley out there, earlier.

How sharp was that? It has always been part of the reason they have

played doubles together, to sharpen the singles game. Playing together,

however sporadically in recent years, they joined forces with an

eye on defending the Olympic title that they won on this court four

years ago. APPLAUSE

It has been a cracking start to this final.

Babos and particular Shvedova has been around long enough to know that

you have to be right on it from the very first point. And stay on it

until the last. APPLAUSE

Well, that is a highly promising start to this final. Off to Rio next

month, Sam, as we mentioned, Williams and Williams, Gold

medallists in London and in Beijing and in Sydney in 2000. And they are

back together and it has not taken them long. I think they came

together in Rome for the first time in a while and as you say, they have

been getting better and better. The clay-court was a difficult place for

them to restart and they had not played in almost a couple of years

but it is incredible since then how quickly they have reunited and

gelled. The big thing that has changed over

the course of this tournament fortnight is how much better they

are just timing their interceptions and actually moving with each other

on the court. The first few rounds, they were leaving a few spaces here

and there. It was rather chaotic. The only chaos they are providing

right now is on the other side of the net.

Timea Babos, who has already beaten Venus this year, got the better of

her in the signals on the clay-court in Rome in a tight match, edging it

over three sets. Here they are together again on the doubles court.

The first double fault leads to the first break point.

Good awareness from Babos, who really has established herself as a

very fine doubles player over the last couple of seasons. Her singles

improving as a result. A couple of error rather unlike

Venus. Yes, a little askew. Certainly, though, Babos and

shivered of will get Sarah tension because there is plenty of power

heading their way. -- Shvedova. APPLAUSE

She has been busy since walking off court with the dish if you hours

back. All the media duties, a million television studios to

service. -- a few hours back. And time for a shower before she is back

on court with her sister but here she is.

APPLAUSE I'm not sure that Serena Williams

needed to hit that, but she did, made absolutely sure. It is just a

blanket coverage, isn't it, from the Williams sisters? They don't allow

teams to breeze. -- breathe. Babos doing a nice job serving to

Serena, really, the place to go at the champion's left hip so she has

to move away from the ball. Whatever you do, don't allow her to move on

to the service returns. It is pretty much the same with Venus as well,

and then just switch it up for some variety and surprise.

APPLAUSE Smiles of relief as they dig their

way through. Wherever you look, there are Williams on court, around

court and in the Royal box today. You may recognise Maisie Williams

from Game Of Thrones. It has been a long day.

Oh! APPLAUSE You never tire of seeing shots like

that from her in this arena. It must be wonderful for Serena, coming back

on court after winning the title, after all that pressure was

released, and now she can just play, swing free. Probably the most

enjoyment she will get on a tennis court this year, being out here this

evening. Babos and Shvedova will be concerned

that the singles final was merely a way for her to warm up her serve for

the doubles. Yes, and look at this big, powerful

team of Babos and Shvedova, already backing off at the other end with

their court position, to return the first served. -- serve.

Third game in a row at the start of this final where we are heading to

deuce, just as it looked like the Williams sisters were waltzing

through this one. 40-0, to deuce. It looks like the fifth seeds have

really thought about this, targeting Venus on the return as much as

possible. Your options are limited, aren't they, when it is Williams-

Williams out there? So many aspects, Sam, that Serena

Williams builds her game on, so many impressive bricks. But the serve,

from a technical point of view, just offer us your thoughts on how she

gets the point going? It is a perfectly technical motion. It is

one fluid movement, a chain reaction from coming up from the ground. It

is perfect. And I think that it is one to be copied if possible. So

much of it is about the leg strength and the drive she gets up. The

difficulties in returning the serve is the disguise because the ball

toss goes up in the same channel wherever she is serving so the

return does not get a clue but also, sometimes you get a guess from the

shoulder turn, but when she is slicing out wide, she does not open

up, she does not hold her shoulders back longer and when she is serving

flat down the T, she does not change. It is like trying to guess a

baseball pitcher. It is impossible. Quite a character, Yavrment she has

a tendency to lose the score, that she did twice in her quarter-finals.

Forgets where she is? Yeah. Brilliant. That's what doubles is

about. APPLAUSE

All the women out here can comfortably serve over 115mph. I did

tell you it was quite a big bash contest. They can all hit it.

Oh! Both a little bit too polite, left it for the other.

Make no mistake, Babos and Shvedova more than handy opponents, the fifth

seeds. They will know they've got their hands full this evening if

they are to, in that four-year barren spell without winning one of

these spells in tan dam. Done the service rotation. So, back to Venus

Williams. Her sister's been writing compelling

stories at this year's championships but for Angelique Kerber a couple of

days ago, it would have been her in the final, as well.

They do combine well. Squeezing the space. Babos and Shvedova.

Just feel like it that we are in some sort of time warp. It could be

ten years ago watching Venus and Serena playing in a doubles finals,

Serena winning the singles. Nothing seems to change. Venus apparently

the other day was talking about 2020 Olympics. I don't think there is any

retirement plans just yet. She was certainly saying she will be back

next year in the singles, that's for sure.

APPLAUSE So much work to keep that ball in

play. What was big sis doing? Well, this would have been discussed

by the fifth seeds, the big difference in the first serve and

second serve of Williams, Venus Williams that is, and the

opportunity it provides. UMPIRE: Let. First service.

Take that. All you can do is smile if you are

on the other side of the net and that's what Babos was doing.

The concession of serve. What's already apparent in this final, Sam,

is that neither Shvedova and in particular Babos will feel out of a

place on a court where their opponents like to give the ball a

wallop. They're happy on the front foot whacking back when they can.

They're both fabulous athletes. Babos when she was younger was a

national champion in swimming. And had to choose between the two

sports. I think she found tennis rather more exciting than ploughing

up and down in the early hours of every morning but generally loved it

and it was pretty handy that her father and the family owned a tennis

club and she got to practise. She ended up spending a couple of years

in England when she was about 15 or 16 to train before getting a sponsor

and then going back to Budapest. I think you look at so many tennis

players and they've often been high achievers in other sports. Angelique

Kerber another one, a top swimmer when she was younger. This is the

former swimmer turned tennis player, Timea Babos with a break of serve

now. Just in terms of stiffness and

getting yourself back out on court when you put your muscles through a

singles final, how challenge something this now for Serena? I

don't know how much warming down and warming up she did. Doesn't sound

like a lot considering how busy she's been.

Serena is super focussed and wants to bring this home for Venus as

well. There must be part of her that can feel - I thought all that relief

and pressure off her shoulders after the singles, there must be some sort

of reaction. Patrick in the front row on the left

alongside Robbie, who is Serena's hitting partner these days.

Classic Williams. As soon as they're pushed they don't take a step back,

they push back. They become a lot more aggressive in this game.

It has been some journey for Venus since she was beaten in her first

singles match. She won for the first time in 2,000, the same summer the

Williams won the doubles for the first time and they've won five in

total. This would be number six.

The first for four years, as we have been saying for a while.

Anticipation and perseverance in equal measure. This could turn into

some final. What's lovely compared to all the other Slams, it's played

in front of a packed house and it's very much part of the programme when

you buy your Centre Court ticket for today.

A drop off between the Williams' first and second serves in terms of

points won. First served, it is seven out of ten, second serve, it

is two out of ten. Shvedova's coach on the left in the

white top. He worked with Simona Halep for part of last season.

Shivered of used to be one of those who was coached by her dad. --

Shvedova used to be. Sinews strained but to no avail.

Rich entertainment we are having on Centre Court here this evening. Once

again, the pressure on the serve of Serena Williams.

I'm sure when the two sisters walked out there, that most of the fans

just presumed they would be the favourites to win out here and maybe

they are, certainly not on paper but what they are trying to do is win a

Grand Slam title after hardly playing doubles for a couple of

years against players that have played, you know, maybe a couple of

hundred matches in that time. , An! -- come on. At times it sounds

more like the last night of the Proms but it is also a tennis match.

Being given some opera along with the points.

APPLAUSE UMPIRE: New balls, please.

Mighty struggles to hold on to service games and it is easier. --

easier for some than others. Let's just have a look at the

percentages. When the first serves go in, that is OK. However, it is

the second serves that provide an interest. The returning is so great

and Billie Jean King was saying earlier in the studio with Sue and

Lindsay Davenport, these days, it is or is a bit of a cliche, you are

only as good as your second serve but the second serve is more

important than ever because the returning is so great. That is one

of the reasons why you have to play doubles, especially as a young

player will stop many more of them are but that is why Serena and

Vinnie 's -- Serena and Venus in same anyways are good for the game

but this is an additional way. You look at the greatest player of all

time and she's one of the greatest doubles players ever as well and how

much... I don't think we can even quantify how much it has helped in

this championship. Serving with new balls, first set of

the final, 3-4, Shvedova. The big play in this game is to get

the ball to the shivered of forehand which can be a wonderful shot at

times and it can go to the back fence at others. -- the Shvedova

forehand. Sometimes I'm not sure where it's going and I don't think

she is, either. UMPIRE: Mrs shivered of and Ms Babos challenging the call

on the left baseline. That little improvised backhand up and Hawk-Eye

confirms that it was in. Ms Babos and Mrs Shvedova have two challenges

remaining. The umpire is from Great Britain, Kelly Thompson.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE You can only smile, watching this

quality of tennis. UMPIRE: Miss Williams and Miss

Williams channelling thing -- challenging the goal of the left

baseline. The ball was called out. It was right in front of us. Replay

the point. It is always best to leave those on the line, Nick! I was

waiting for you to commit yourself and you wisely didn't!

It has been such a competitive first 41 minutes. But the importance of

this point right now. Once again, Babos and Shvedova,

stranded by the quality of venous' crosscourt winner. -- Venus

Williams' crosscourt winner. They have had breaks of serve chances

previously in this first set. You start to wonder if this might be the

decisive one. Venus Williams to serve for the set, 5-3.

That took it towards the net! We have do have another look at this.

This would have taken the wicket of the best text batsman in the world.

That is unplayable. It has pitched on leg and hit off. Backspin, side

spin, and another spin I've never seen before.

That is a nice move from Shvedova. Gave Williams the line. I think

they're just needs to be a little more activity from these two, just

to catch the eye of the sisters. That door keeps on getting slammed

shut, doesn't it? They have these little openings. The Williams

sisters, very rarely miss on the big points.

Beautifully timed move by Serena. It is worth noting, just watch how far

in front of her she keeps her racket at all times.

APPLAUSE How about that return from Babos?

That set them up. They are creating plenty of break

points. It is converting them that is the problem. Another one.

Brilliant again. Just held her position.

They're just working out where to serve to for Babos because she's

becoming a nuisance. Look at Serena's position here.

Racquet is up, hands in front of her, elbows well away from her body.

There's plenty of air there. What does that do? Often you see

juniors and even club players, racquet down and hands close to

body, elbows tucked in to their sides. Watch Serena, she will show

you how to position yourself at the net.

APPLAUSE AND CHEERING I am running out of words. What a

final. Can this be over five sets, please?

Venus and Serena have won the first, 6-3.

It's been fabulous point after fabulous point.

Wonderful movement. There's been a few bruises out here

already. It's been played in a wonderful spirit but aggressively.

This is one of the best sets of women's doubles I have seen in a

The Williams sisters bring a lot to the doubles court. The look on the

face of Robbie initially and then he leads the celebration with Patrick

following not far behind. It's been intense, hasn't it? It's just been

wonderful. Let's have a look at some numbers.

We have a million images from that first set.

They might help to tell us why it was won by the Williams. The line

you want is the fourth one up really.

Converting one of seven break points.

You don't get a lot of chances against a great team. Williams and

Williams are almost at the top of their game now.

They have come a long way from that first round.

Very tough when you have two of the greatest servers in women's tennis

powering down at you. But Babos and Shvedova have held their own. They

need to be more accurate with their serving.

Threw a cricket ball almost as fast as the Williams sisters can serve

them. Babos enjoying a third Grand Slam

final, yet to find a way to win one. We were talking about the experience

Babos and Shvedova have, Shvedova no stranger to these days either. Half

a dozen finals to call upon experience-wise. Has won two of them

here and at the US Open. They know what they're doing.

In no way have they been cowed, and in no way is this final over.

They come with some serious artillery of their own. They

wouldn't be anywhere in this final without some serious power. I think

worth noting the Williams sisters have giving away almost 20 years out

here to these two. That's worth a mention.

Babos is 23. Venus Williams turned 36 last month. A little older than

her younger sister. Even I can see that there is a big

difference, even though my maths is appalling.

What that says, as much as we all know the story, Richard Williams,

the father, brick bringing them into tennis as a way of making a lot of

money, they're not doing it for money any more. They love this sport

and love being out in arenas like this. Nothing comes close, despite

all their other interests. Unlikely royalty in the Royal Box,

Peter Kay going out-out tonight. So many of the service games,

particularly their service game, they were hanging on in that first

set. They could just do with winning a few a little easier to 15-0 to put

pressure back on the Williams sisters.

She did work beating that point. I love the idea of Serena barging

Venus out of the way to get to the ball.

It's great! They're playing this as if it's their first final.

So much hunger and enthusiasm. Lovely smiles. They're loving it

playing on Centre Court. Kind of touched on the Shvedova

story at the start of the final. Born in Moscow, raised in Russia,

represented Russia for six years on a tennis court. To the decision to

switch nationalities and play for Kazakhstan raised eyebrows. Well, it

was a time when Kazakhstan was really trying to build its tennis

programme. They offered a lot of Russians, both

male and female pros to switch. It's a hugely rich country in oil and gas

reserves, although probably not so much now with the price of oil

plummeting. At that time it was a wonderful offer for not only

financial support, you have to remember after the break-up of the

Soviet Union in Russia and she played at I think CSK, one of the

big clubs, two main clubs in Moscow, became hugely expensive to rent

indoor courts, find practice partners. Also, so many great

Russians in her era she thought she would never have a chance to go to

the Olympics. It did kill two birds with one stone. That's the phrase I

was looking for! It's been a long day! That's a good phrase at the end

of a long day. That's pretty much why she did it.

You can see why this is the only serve yet to be broken on the court.

She equalled Steffi Graf's record of 22 titles.

If you include doubles in that total, she's up to 37. We have a

tendency at times like this to shower everyone with stats and

figures, but they are number that is will confirm her as one of the

greatest ever athletes, long after we are gone.

Yes, and I think she likes to be thought of as one of the greatest

athletes, not just one of the greatest female athletes out there.

She made a point of it and actually, she's right. And thank goodness she

is still playing because she keeps women's tennis in the spotlight.

APPLAUSE 7:55pm on a Saturday evening and

yet, hard to see a spare seat. Such is the value being provided by these

four. Both these teams have done such a

good job of using the middle of the court, not giving too much angle,

and you can see that as soon as Serena opened it up, did not quite

get the Depor right, Babos able to put it away. -- the dipping shot.

Two very cagey teams. A couple of body serves out here. Not a lot of

room for manoeuvre. She has played a lot of doubles of

the last week or so, Shvedova, not just in this event but you got to

the semifinals of the mixed with Qureshi, here, and lost yesterday,

so she is sharp. Who is the best women's doubles

partnership in the world at the moment, do you think, on current

form? Can you read too much into the rankings? Serena and Venus are miles

down the list because they have not played that much. But would you make

them the best right now? Before this tournament, you would say Garcia and

Kristina Mladenovic, they have been outstanding pretty much the entire

season, the French pair who won at Roland Garros, and it was Mladenovic

who Timea Babos played and made the final here with a couple of years

ago. It was Martini gives an Sania Mirza, who dominated really from

about this time last year all the way through to about April or May.

-- Martina Hingis. Then Garcia and Mladenovic appended them. I guess if

Serena and Venus win Wimbledon, they will certainly go to Rio as one of

the favourites but I guess Garcia and Mladenovic are right there with

them. On serve in the second set, Venus

Williams, 2-3. UMPIRE: Ms Babos and Mrs Shvedova

challenging the call on the near sideline. The was called in.

15-0. Miss Babos and Mrs Shvedova have two challenges remaining. If

they want to get any traction, here, they need to have a good, early

start to this game after holding to love.

APPLAUSE She's all right. That good, early

start is not happening. I often think on a grass court, at this time

of the Championships, you have three services out there, you still have

where there's a lot of grass and can be slippy and have moisture on it,

especially at this time of the evening.

And if you look at the back of the court, you haven't got any traction

at all, just bear surface. -- just a bare surface. And then there little

parts of the baseline where it has really hardened up and you have got

some grass where you actually have some good footing. There's no other

surface like it in the world but certainly, at the other slams, it is

rather easy-going compared to this. Think of all the little adjustments

you have to make, three services, one court. -- three surfaces.

APPLAUSE It is the kind of terrain for forex

for -- 4x4s and we have got four on show here. If you look behind the

baseline, it looks a bit like a cricket wicket, cracks appearing, as

can happen at this time in the Championships.

After a first set when the service going to deuce was a regular

occurrence, this second set has been much more watertight. Yes, they have

all settled on the serve, a very different pattern. There's a real

opportunity for the Williams sisters, but it's going to be about

taking Babos tight of the net. I wonder if they will the aerial

route? Oh, dear. APPLAUSE

These are the moments for Serena and Venus.

APPLAUSE Really smart serve.

UMPIRE: Ms Babos and Mrs Shvedova challenging the call on the right

service line. The ball was called out. Time for the technology. Not

forthcoming. 15-40. Shvedova has just lost our concentration in this

game. That is all it is going to take. She needs Babos to protect

her, here, and she needs a first serve.

APPLAUSE Is that the signpost that sends the

sisters towards another Wimbledon title on Centre Court?

You have just got to be locked on for the whole match. You cannot, for

a moment, lapse in concentration. Because they are great champions,

they sent it. They would always have felt the Shvedova serve was

vulnerable because she can be a bit up and down with her level. Three

and one minute and then a few loose ones and that is all it takes. 100%

concentration from first point to last, with great intensity and you

get yourself in the game with the Williams sisters but very few can

live at that level. Their mum at the back. It's been a

long day for her, a long fortnight, been on the front row of the Royal

box and now she is back watching her daughters. Richard does not travel

from the States any more, by the way, which is why we don't see him

any more. I'm sure he's watching on TV back home, his daughters once

again so close. Serena Williams with a break of serve in the second set,

4-3. It interesting that you majored

Richard because he very rarely travels these days, you almost

forget his influence. I was reading an article by him the other day and

he talked about the Williams life triangle. Commitment, confidence and

courage. That is how he brought them up, all interconnected. UMPIRE: Miss

Williams and Miss Williams challenging the call on the right

sideline the ball was called out. UMPIRE: Ms Williams and Miss

Williams have two challenges remaining. I don't think Leigh Wood

has made the story yet, but they will and they will start on those

caught in Compton, LA. -- Hollywood has made. He had to sweep them clean

before he taught them how to play tennis.

The sisters are at the stage of their career where another record to

break or equal is rarely far-away. Their 14th Grand Slam doubles win

come here, would mean they go alongside Fernandez and Svereva and

only Martina and Pam Shriver would have more, 21.

Perhaps Martina can breathe a sigh of relief. There might be one record

that Serena does not break! She will probably hold onto that. You are

talking about two of the greatest doubles teams in history and the

Williams sisters are right up there. APPLAUSE

In the last 20 years there has been little more thrilling in tennis than

the Venus overhead. I doubt there will be many too

disappointed to see Timea Babos hold onto her serve. The way they played,

they deserve at the very least to make the Williams sisters serve out

for the championship. I must say, watching Timea Babos out here, she

will win a grand slam title not too far away. There are some good things

in her future. You forget she is only 23. It is great for her to play

with someone like Shvedova, if you years older, much more experienced,

and it has brought up a boss's singles game as well. The would

ease, a big age gap, Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde.

Providing a lot of enthusiasm and energy -- the Woodies. For Serena,

this happened about four hours ago. One game away from being a Wimbledon

champion here. In tandem, as a Dureau, as sisters, it has been four

years since Venus and Serena served to be Wimbledon champions.

They have not stopped smiling, they have not stopped laughing all match.

It is beautiful to see. She seems to see it so much earlier

than anyone else on the court, doesn't she?

I think strategy has been abandoned in favour of just giving it to

somewhere Lee. UMPIRE: Challenging the corner

baseline. It was called out. They only have one challenge left and it

was worth playing. Miss Babos and Mrs Shvedova have no challenges

remaining. BOOING CHUCKLING

Pantomime reaction to the lack of challenges. Not a good thing, is it?

CROWD GASPS Good grief.

UMPIRE: Let, first service. Venus just taking a little off that

first serve. I think she was almost trying to hit the other one is a

little too hard, lost some rhythm. APPLAUSE

How much to the lyrics to that song a few years back, Venus and Serena

in the Wimbledon arena. And once again the sisters have another match

point at Wimbledon. CHEERING

I love the way Davos and Shvedova have gone about this. Played with

aggression, -- Babos and Shvedova. Played with aggression, imagination.

She has popped a string. She has broken a string. The spirit it has

been played in, they broke a string. Must have just had it on the Gromit,

where the string is tied off, just a little weak point.

APPLAUSE Now, sadly, they don't have a

challenge left, otherwise we might have been looking at Hawk-Eye.

Another Centre Court championship point for Venus and Serena.

CHEERING UMPIRE: Game, set and match, Miss

Williams, Miss Williams, by two sets to love, 6-3, 6-4. CHEERING

Two sisters once again on another planet. Once again Wimbledon

champions. But what a final. What a final. Hats off to Babos and

Shvedova. CHEERING And all the congratulations on the

world Howard Venus and Serena. Some people wait for their lives to win

one Wimbledon title. Serena has 12 in an afternoon. -- has won two in

an afternoon. ANNOUNCER: Ladies and gentlemen, weight in your seats for

the presentation. CLARE BALDING: We will be back for the trophy

presentation, we will show you that later in the programme but we have

time between now and 9pm to reflect on the day's events. Earlier, Serena

Williams tried to win her seventh Wimbledon title, her 22nd grand slam

title, which would join her with Steffi Graf as the chimera

record-holder. She was up against a woman who also had Steffi Graf in

her mind, because Angelique Kerber was from Germany, bidding to become

the first Wimbledon champions and Steffi Graf. Troisi alongside me,

she has used Kerber, steady as a mentor. Absolutely. She joined

Steffi for some advice to handle it, after Angie won in Australia. Of

course, Andre Agassi, I'm sure he helped about as well. It has been an

interesting relationship will stop Tracy will be with us analysing the

match, and Martina Navratilova will also be joining us. Let's CV setup

from Paddy Geary. Serena Williams arrived at Wimbledon and unsubtle

skies. Clouds of doubt hovered around the champion. Wimbledon was

the only grand slam title she held, and at first these courts brought

clarity. COMMENTATOR: The defending jumpy and is to two. But storms came

on the day of the second round. The intensity Serena prides herself on

threatened to overwhelm her. The urgency, Williams found quality.

Coming through the ambush seemed to trigger something within her, the

all-powerful certainty carried her forward. Still on track for

Wimbledon title number seven. The final came into view, she became a

ruthless. The destruction of the loan River in the semifinal and

eloquent statement of intent. And exhibition performance. Beware all

who dared to stop her winning that record equalling slam. But Angelique

Kerber has thwarted her before, beating her to the Australian Open

title in January. This conqueror of Serena has somehow travelled through

the tournament under cover. From round one where she took about Laura

Robson, Kerber has really been troubled, but also rarely be

noticed. Quietly progressing, impressing. Very solid performance

from Kerber. Even when her challenges could have her, she

hasn't let a set slip. Even when Wimbledon anticipated and all

Williams final, she interrupted, vanquishing Venus. Might this all

come down to the memory of Melbourne? Would it spark Serena's

doubts, or via a desire for revenge? CLARE BALDING: Serena has done this

a times before so she knows all about the bouquet of flowers, but

for Kerber the wait to come out for a Wimbledon final was a uncharted

territory. A prized seat on Centre Court for 15,000 people, here to

witness a classic battle or big serve and terrier retriever. The

players are merged at just past 2pm. And 11 joined them at the net for a

coin toss, representing the charity, Barnard is, now in its 150th year.

-- Barnard owes. There were no obvious signs of

nerves as both players found their range in the very first point.

APPLAUSE Clear

APPLAUSE JOHN MCENROE: We would assume the

longer the rally goes, the better chance it is for Kerber. LINDSAY

DAVENPORT: Some star power. APPLAUSE

JOHN INVERDALE: Look at the slice on that. In case you didn't reconnoitre

that was in Serena's box, that is Aion say and her husband -- Beyonce

and her husband. The beyond Soho concerts have been... Jay-Z. I was

going to say. The fiance tickets have been the most

take them earlier like Serena did. John, you said before you thought

that Patrick said they had a good idea of Kerber's strategy. There is

a noticeable difference in Serena's movement, clipped into the court to

cut angles off, get out to those short, low balls as quick as

possible. Where she is standing there, she is not going to give her

that wide serve. APPLAUSE You were talking about it in the

build-up, but it is so key for Kerber to get on the board early.

Yes, we saw that in the semis with those Nina.

Serena is a great frontrunner, particularly in the beginning of a

match. APPLAUSE

Quality in the movement there, great bit of touch by Williams as well. To

win that point. It is a first break of this final. It is going to be

interesting to see if Kerber can or will make an adjustment. Here she

comes, Chris Kirk, where she is standing, she is just waiting for

it. -- crosscourt. APPLAUSE

That is a great insight out. That is the type of adjustment Kerber has to

make. When she has just a split-second of time, she has got to

take her chances and play offensively.

That has been a problem for her throughout her career. If you double

faults. That under is the good of that brilliant winner just 30

seconds ago. Clear She has actually served 11 double

faults in the tournament so far. Just two by Serena.

Too good. We talked before the match, saying Serena should move

over towards the left, she is definitely one step towards the left

more than she normally is, but so ready for the backhand return. That

is where Kerber cannot afford to be so predictable.

A little bit unlucky for Serena Williams, lucky for Kerber, hit the

line and took a bad bounce. That had all the air of a double fault. Just

clambered onto the line at the very last moment. This is a long old

first service game for Angelique Kerber. And they really important

one too. She just reached for that, but work

is key, took a couple of smaller steps, got closer to that and she

could have had a much easier look at that backhand.

She has put it long! CLARE BALDING: A really good hold of serve from

Angelique Kerber, but she could not put enough pressure on Serena, we

rejoin with Kerber serving to take the first set into a tie-break.

Commentary from John Inverdale, Lindsay Davenport and John McEnroe.

JOHN MCENROE: That is too good, Kerber just ran out of gas. LINDSAY

DAVENPORT: She was inside the baseline the entire rally.

She cannot bank on a free point on her serve.

APPLAUSE Should that was the first point of

the game where she was able to get Serena off balance or on the run.

That is two lose points there at a really bad moment. Playing more

conservative, no unforced errors, two in a row, and absolutely key

moment for Angelique Kerber, two set points after 46 minutes for Serena

Williams. She probably wants that drop shot

back. Magnificent crosscourt from

Williams! She hasn't won the match yet, you might think she has from

that reaction, but she is halfway there.

CLARE BALDING: Serena has never lost a Grand Slam final after taking the

first set, and you can see how much it meant to her to have seized the

advantage, but Kerber was far from throwing in the towel, showing some

great retrieving early in the second set.

Great shot, that, but still Williams held firm, and the trouble was that

Williams was serving first in the second set, having broken to take

the first set. We rejoin at 3-3, Williams with the servers balls in

her hand. -- service. JOHN INVERDALE: That is Serena's

knockout blow, isn't it? JOHN MCENROE: She just keeps on

punching, throwing roundhouses. Kerber backed off about four yards

on that server. LINDSAY DAVENPORT: She is doing

everything she can to get more returns in, read the serves that.

She needs Serena to make more errors like that. Out and out extra effort

by Kerber, you have got to hand it to her, she really did not have any

business winning that point. Just made her hit that extra ball.

Error on the forehand, third double fault.

A quarter of a half of a look at this game for Kerber.

And the bigger cried there was from Kerber, actually. -- cry.

And so, for the first time, in this year's final, the crowd are telling

you. It is a break point on Serena Williams's serve.

Well, what can you say? There is nothing to say! Exactly.

There is even less to say about that! Serve of the tournament right

there. Got a little luck going her way,

hitting the lines. Another pressure error. She cannot

afford to miss those rally shots, she has to take some chances, but

because she is getting so few in her return games, she just feels this

enormous pressure in her service games.

Serena thinks she either hit the net... That was some effort! Protect

herself at all times. Even in Serena's camp, they are on their

feet as well, a wonderful point. Amazing effort by Serena, hands by

Kerber cover got to see a replay of that point. We will see that again

in a second, I'm sure. You have to hand it to Kerber, a lot

of lesser players with crumbled against this onslaught, but she is

still fighting. -- would have crumbled.

But under the weight of all that pressure, at 3-4 in the second set,

deuce on the Kerber serve, these could be the key moments.

Well, you would think that there, which gives Serena Williams break

point, might almost be much point, record book point. -- match point.

There we are, it is Serena Williams again, 14 years after the first

victory here, Grand Slam number 22, irresistible, majestic, and the

judgment of history will surely be that she was in a class of her own.

SUE BARKER: Angelique Kerber! CHEERING

First of all, I would like to say really contracts to Serena. I mean,

you really deserve the title come your next title, and you are a great

champion, a great person, and it is always an honour to play against you

in the finals. We played a great match, and really, congrats, you

deserve it, well done, Serena. APPLAUSE

Or so, I would like to say thank you to my box. Thank you so much, and I

have the best team, the best family and the best friends, so thank you

so much for your support. And we say thank you very much to you as well.

These and gentlemen, Angelique Kerber! CHEERING

Yes, it has just been great. Obviously, Angelique, you know I

love playing her. She is such a great opponent, she really brings

out great tennis in me, and then once we walk off the court she is

such a wonderful person to be around, just to smile at, so thank

you for being that great person, and thank you. APPLAUSE

Your 22nd, you have equalled the record of Steffi Graf in the open

era. CHEERING How hard has it been to not think

about that? Yes, it has been incredibly difficult not to think

about it. I had a couple of tries this year, lost to two great

opponents, one of them actually being Angelique! But it makes the

victory even sweeter to know how hard I worked for it, and thank you

guys for being out here to seen a 22. This is awesome, so I Love you

guys so much. Thank you very much. But also, your seventh here. This

must feel like home now, this court. This court definitely feels like

home, in fact I have a match later on today in doubles, so I will be

back out here at home. Yes, because Venus is up there, and with the

Olympics, you have so much to look forward to as well. I love playing

out here on Centre Court, especially with my sister who has inspired me

to be at here and be who I am, so I am just really excited. I don't know

whether to say, I am just so excited, thank you. You have

inspired many as And after having seen friends and

former players, allergy came, bouncing onto the balcony to show

off the Venus Rosewater Dish to the fans below, and it is moments like

this that are really special, when Serena realises how much victory is

matter to people, but a special hug for her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou,

who she teamed up within 2012, and she has since won nine of the Grand

Slam titles, more than 50%, an amazingly successful partnership. He

gives a belief and motivation, because she is not going to be

stopping here. Martina Navratilova has joined us, Tracy as well, how

good a performance was that? Amazing, it seemed that she

wasn't... Serena was not feeling the pressure, she had so much respect

for Angelique Kerber, she knew she had to bring her A game, she did,

and Angelique has hung on as well as anyone against Serena. She served

well, moved well, the ratio of winners to unforced errors, all

this, she was pretty unbeatable today. The serve was the big

difference, Serena, at its best, just stunning. Angie Bray is just

one break point and served an ace. -- and she faced. That is what she

is able to do with that big serve, technically so sound. She is known

for the power and the placement, but she is able to come up with the

clutch service on those moments. In super slow-mo, it is like a ballet

dancer, the grace, she lands and can move after it, it is fabulous, but

she has amazing power as well. Well, that power is generated because of

the technique on the serve, it is so amazing. Anybody who wants to play

tennis, watch the tape of Serena Williams' serve, beat Sampras,

Federer, I would watch those three, you don't need to see anything else.

-- Pete Sampras. She uses her legs so well to push up, such easy

technique, therefore it doesn't break down, not as many moving

parts. There are no pitches, just a slow explosion, she gets the

shoulder turn, the hips, everything rotates then explodes into the arm

and the snap of the rest comes last, such a nice... An escalation. It is

amazing to watch, but she also broke Kerber to take the first set, and we

saw the reaction after the first set, because she knows, when she is

ahead, nobody catches her. She said afterwards that it relaxed, to get

that set in hand, and in the 12th game Kerber made two or three

unforced errors, and it is just that little lapse of concentration, small

moments against a top player that you cannot afford to have. She put

so much pressure on you, because she holds her serve. I thought Kerber

did a good job of holding her serve, because that is what we were looking

for. The serve was a bit of a liability, particularly her second

set, but in that set she was winning more seconds serve points than

Serena. Losing her serve twice in the match, that is great, she would

have a chance, but that is how good Serena was. In that last game,

serving for the championship, it is over in a flash, three and

returnable serves, then a rally on match point, and this was her

reaction. -- unreturnable. Their collapse to the ground looks

dangerous to me! Nobody to catcher. She said she felt relief, and that

is a great moment. I love as well as when she got up with the two fingers

up in the on both sides, saying 22. All fortnight she has been talking

about how she is not focusing on 22, just winning the tournament, but

within 30 seconds, it was about the 22. For Angelique Kerber, she has

won a Grand Slam in the Australian Open, Martina, she is number two in

the world, is this the beginning of a rivalry that might last? Serena is

towards the end of her career, she might have another three or four

years, but Kerber is one of the very few people that has beaten Serena

more than once. Hopefully, they will play each other again many times,

but nice job by Kerber now, she is a clear number two for the year, she

backed up that Australian Open win by getting to the final here. Let's

hope she stays consistent. She is a great retriever, she doesn't give

up, every ball is going to come back. That is what is amazing, so

many balls back in play, and a few of the mistakes that Serena

committed were extracted because Kerber got that extra ball back in

play. It made it fun to watch, you know, Kerber is known for creating

such great angles on the run. I will say, though, when Serena was at the

net micro, she moved immediately crosscourt. So Patrick Mouratoglou

had said, this is what to do, this is how to counter her. Serena came

back out on court to play doubles with his sister, and they won the

title, we can show you the trophy presentation which took place in the

Royal box after match point, Venus serving at the far end, a

good-humoured and talented quartet. Venus and Serena winning the title

for the sixth time, and every time they have done so, one of them has

won the singles as well. His Royal Highness Biju God Kent, President of

the All-England Club, making the presentation. -- the Duke of Kent.

They have won three Olympic gold medals together. Let's hear what

they had to say after their doubles triumph.

Serena, Venus, many congratulations, can you put into words what it was

like playing out there and how much it means to win another title? It

was really special, like really awesome to be playing next to Venus,

to win Wimbledon again in doubles, we have won I don't know how many

now, but we love playing doubles, we love being here, it is great.

Watching Serena earlier was so amazing, and I was so into that,

then you have to reset yourself and say, OK, we have to try and win a

match! She brought the energy from game one, and that really brought me

up. They are amazing, and stay? The two of them have done so much for

tennis, for sport. Actually, it is fun to see how they have progressed

in doubles, because they used to be almost two singles players playing

doubles on a single score. But Serena, even in the semifinal in

doubles, she kicked it up a notch when she needed to. She didn't cross

in the beginning of their career, but like you said, it is worth

noting that all six times that they have won in doubles, they have also

won in singles. I think that is crucial, it makes them more

aggressive minded. They have both become better doubles players, and

better singles players as well. There is more strategy when they are

playing, and when you win the singles, you are so relaxed after. I

know I played my best matches after I won the singles. The pressure is

off, and you are really feeling the ball, little sister took over there.

You saw how badly she wanted to win for Venus. Quick news from away from

Wimbledon, from somebody who has gone home, Dominika Cibulkova at her

wedding today, this is her marrying her fiance, isn't that gorgeous? She

made such an impression here with her feet of Agnieszka Radwanska, so

good luck to them, she looks beautiful! Let's bring you the other

headlines of what has been happening at Wimbledon today.

Top seeds Nicolas Mahut and PFU Herbert won and all French men's

doubles final, beating Julien Benneteau and Edouard

Roger-Vasselin. -- Pierre-Hugues Herbert. This is the inaugural women

wheelchair champion with her victory over the fellow Dutchwoman. And

there was British trying in the men's wheelchair doubles as Gordon

Reid and Alfie Hewett lifted the trophy after a terrific battle on

court 17, he will be back in the singles final tomorrow. And there

could be more British success tomorrow, because Heather Watson and

finish partner, Henri Kontinen, have beaten Jelena Ostapenko and partner

in the semifinal. We have seen history geek world today, I know you

are not fortune-tellers, but if you looked into the future, and

Moneymore Grand Slam titles is Serena going to win? -- equalled.

Two or three? Two to get to 24, which would be Margaret Court, and

one more to beat it? She has a very good chance of beating it if she

stays healthy. She is motivated, the pressure is off, she has not played

that many matches this year, so she is fresh, the way she is playing

right now, why not keep going? Today was very much Serena's day, thank

you, for all tennis fans, tune in tomorrow afternoon because to

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