Slick Serena reigns supreme

Defending champion Serena Williams won her fourth women's singles title at Wimbledon with a crushing 6-3, 6-2 victory over Russian 21st seed Vera Zvonareva in the final yesterday.

Williams displayed all her trademark power and poise to overwhelm Zvonareva on Centre Court and clinch the 13th Grand Slam crown of her career.

The 28-year-old's triumph means the Venus Rosewater Dish awarded to the women's champion was held aloft by a Williams for the ninth time in 11 years, sister Venus accounting for the others.

Serena, who pocketed one million pounds in prize money, has been by far the most impressive performer in the women's event this year and is now just one Wimbledon title behind Venus.

Not one of Serena's seven opponents ever seriously threatened to upset her and it would be no surprise if the world no.1 was back to collect another title in 12 months time.

Although Zvonareva was unable to make any impact in her first Grand Slam final, the Russian can at least take consolation from seeing her ranking rise into the top 10 in the world.

Zvonareva, the second lowest ranked player ever to appear in the women's final, has been dogged by doubts about her temperament for years after crumbling under pressure in big matches.

But the 25-year-old's talent has never been in doubt and she has been a more confident, mature player over the last fortnight.

She knocked out three seeds on her way to the final, with fourth seed Jelena Jankovic and US Open champion Kim Clijsters among her scalps.

Taking on Serena in a final was another matter entirely though.

Serena's three previous titles were all clinched with final victories over Venus, but her sister had suffered a quarter-final exit against Tsvetana Pironkova this year.

Grand Slam count

Watched by a cavalcade of former Wimbledon champions, including Evonne Goolagong-Cawley, Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova and Jana Novotna, Serena showed why she deserved to be mentioned in the same breath as the tournament's all-time greats.

Serena said she was thrilled to have overtaken compatriot King after winning her 13th Grand Slam singles title.

Williams looked up to see King, who won 12 Grand Slam titles during her career, in the Royal Box.

"This one was very special. Hey Billie, I got you! This is number 13 for me now and it's just amazing to be able to be among such great people," Williams said.

Winners since 2000
2000 Venus Williams; 2001 Venus Williams; 2002 Serena Williams; 2003 Serena Williams; 2004 Maria Sharapova; 2005 Venus Williams; 2006 Amelie Mauresmo; 2007 Venus Williams; 2008 Venus Williams; 2009 Serena Williams; 2010 Serena Williams.

Grand Slam singles titles
24 Court; 22 Graf; 19 Wills Moody; 18 Evert, Navratilova; 13 Serena Williams; 12 King; 9 Connolly Brinker, Seles; 8 Lenglen, Mallory; 7 Venus Williams, Bueno, Goolagong-Cawley, Chambers, Henin.