Kiki Bertens has caused the upset by defeating last year’s finalist Venus Williams 6-2 6-7(5) 8-6 to make the second week at Wimbledon.
The world number 20 made a rapid start after breaking three times in the opening set to storm into a 4-1 lead as she chased down every shot from Venus. Despite saving a plethora of set points, Venus couldn’t find any solutions to breaking Bertens’ serve as the Dutchwoman sealed the first set in 41 minutes.
The 26 year old continued her momentum in the second set as an early break saw her gain the early advantage at 2-1. The World number 9 would not let this match go away easily though as she battled and use her big forehands and serves to find a way past Bertens. Last year’s finalist broke twice as well as preventing Bertens from successfully serving the match out as a tiebreak was eventually played. The American converted her third set point to take the tiebreak 7-5 and force a deciding set.
The final started with Bertens cancelling out an early Venus Williams break as this match was becoming more and more brutal as the world number 20 kept raising her level. However the six time champion kept being resilient and fighting off the Bertens challenge as she was determined to extend this match as far as she could.
Unfourtunately the resilience from the 38 year old was finally broken as on her third match point, Bertens sealed the biggest non-clay court win of her career in 2 hours and 41 minutes. Next up for Bertens is Karolina Pliskova or Mihaela Buzarnescu.
