Garbine Muguruza looking ahead to “dream” final at Wimbledon

Eds: Updates with Sharapova quote, corrects to 27 matches in 3rd paragraph. “But I want to win this tournament”.

But whatever happens on Centre Court on Saturday afternoon, the name of Garbine Muguruza is one that will be worth remembering. She knows that I can win against her, that I’m not afraid. “It’s like, ‘Wow.’ In so short time, I’m here”, Muguruza said.

But one more victory will put Williams only one slam back of Steffi Graf’s 22, and she’s looked stronger, even overpowering, prior to the final.

While it is clear that Serena, who has sailed smoothly through the tournament if you discount the scare against Britain’s Heather Watson and a first-set hiccup against Victoria Azarenka, is the firm favourite, Muguruza is something of a dark horse. But I said no. “It’s true. She’s dominating the game for a long time”.

Muguruza, in her first grand slam semi-final, overcame Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska (6-2, 3-6, 6-3) in the final four to become the first female Spaniard to reach the Wimbledon final since Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario in 1996.

Williams is a five-time Wimbledon champion, and she has already won the Australian Open and the French Open this year – all after winning last year’s U.S. Open.

Garbine Muguruza in practice July 10, 2015. After all, the then 20-year-old Spaniard handed the now 20-time major champion her most lopsided loss ever at a Grand Slam tournament.

“Nothing to do with Sharapova”, said Williams’ coach, Patrick Mouratoglou. She did but her results barely improved. “I wake up with the same leg. I’m not going to change anything”. She trails Williams 2-1 although she did defeat the American at the French Open past year.

The 33-year-old American will be making her 25th Grand Slam final appearance, and her eighth at Wimbledon, as she chases a 21st major title.

The little-known Muguruza easily won the first set in just eight games, exerting her power on the current world number 13 Radwanska.

The 21-year-old will face Williams in the final on Saturday – a player that she grew up idolizing along with her sister, Venus Williams.

Muguruza was right to be cautious about her prospects at the All England Club.

The No 20 seed showed her quality from the opening games of her match against Radwanska, twice breaking the ex- finalist’s serve on her way to taking the first set. Williams needed just over 30 minutes to take the first set. It’s possible Muguruza takes the second set, but Williams should prevail in two straight. Williams served out the match at love with the three aces and a service victor that Sharapova barely got her racket on.

Radwanska then raced through the second set, having collected five games on the trot.

“I can not explain in words all that”.

“My parents, they’re going to be in Barcelona watching me on the TV”. When it ended, Muguruza dropped her racket and fell onto the court on her stomach.

“It was 50-50 call”. “I just get really nervous”, she said. “Wasn’t really good decision”.

No fear will be a prerequisite against Williams in potentially the biggest Wimbledon final mismatch since Cedric Pioline faced Pete Sampras back in 1997.