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Romanian tennis pro Simona Halep denied Serena Williams a record-tying 24th Grand Slam title after beating her in straight sets Saturday at the Wimbledon women’s final.
Halep, 27, won her first championship at the All England Club in just 55 minutes, beating Williams 6-2, 6-2, in what was only her second career win against the American.
For Williams, the loss was especially difficult as it kept her from a record-tying 24th Grand Slam title, a record only held by Australian Margaret Court.
Simona Halep of Romania pose for a photo with her trophy after winning the Ladies' Singles final against Serena Williams of The United States during Day twelve of The Championships - Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 13, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
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The 37-year-old tennis pro has dominated the grass courts in the past. Williams is a seven-time champion at Wimbledon with her first win coming in 2002 against her own sister Venus Williams, who was the two-time defending champ at the time.
By contrast, Saturday’s game was Halep’s first final appearance at Wimbledon and, now, her only second Grand Slam title. She previously won the French Open in 2018.
The two players have matched up 10 times in the past, with Williams winning nine of those encounters.
United States' Serena Williams reacts after losing a point to Romania's Simona Halep during the women's singles final match on day twelve of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Saturday, July 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)
But despite the odds being in her favor, Williams told reporters on Friday she only focused on the one time she lost to Halep.
"The biggest key with our matches is the loss that I had. I never forgot it. She played unbelievable," she said looking back on the 2014 match. "That makes me know that level she played at — she can get there again. So I have to be better than that."
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However, the motivation for Halep was far greater as she focused more about the title than who her opponent was.
Romania's Simona Halep celebrates after defeating United States' Serena Williams during the women's singles final match on day twelve of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Saturday, July 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
"I'm desperate to win Wimbledon more than to stop her,” she said. “I will focus on myself.”
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Halep, the No. 7 seed, beat Elina Svitolina 6-1, 6-3 in the semifinals to make it to Saturday’s final.
Williams is facing an uphill battle - her last Grand Slam title came in 2017 at the Australian Open. She came close last year at Wimbledon but lost 6-2, 6-4 to Angelique Kerber.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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