The 22-year-old from Japan’s Shiga prefecture, who won the silver medal in the 2014 Youth Olympics, used his swift returns and quick footwork to bamboozle the Indonesian player who was slowed by a middle finger injury. After they split the first two games, the 33rd-ranked Japanese tightened his play and bombarded Sugiarto with a series of smashes to prevail in 58 minutes. Sugiarto’s winning streaks ended at the stadium after he won the Thailand Masters in January.

“After my team won the silver in the Thomas Cup [in May], I’m happy to come back here and win my first Super 500 victory,” said Tsuneyama, the first-ever Japanese man to win the men’s singles title in the 34-year history of the tournament.

Earlier Indonesia caused a big stir in the women’s doubles when the pair of Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu upset the 2016 Olympic Games gold medallists Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi of Japan 21-12 21-10 to win their second title in Bangkok this year. They had won the Princess Cup in January. They won the title without dropping a game this week.

“I’d like to thank Jesus Christ for giving me strength and I thank my coach for being patient with us. And the fans – chan rak khun mak mak. Jing na. [I love you very much, really],” Polii said after her win.

In the mixed doubles, top seed Chris Adcock and his wife Gabriella of Great Britain were below par as they made a barrage of unforced errors before going down to eighth Hafiz Faizal and Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja of Indonesia 21-12 21-12. It was the first title for the Indonesian pair.

“Thank you for support from  Indonesian fans. I’m very happy to win our first title. I’m so excited,” said the 24-year-old Widjaja whose only previous win was with former partner Edi Subaktiar in Macau Open four years ago.

In the men’s doubles final, top seed Takeshi Kamura and Keigo Sonoda of Japan celebrated their second tile of the year after the Malaysian Open two weeks ago, beating fellow countrymen Hiroyuki Endo and Yuta Watanabe 21-17 21-19.

“We are happy to win our second title together. We still have to keep working hard and win more,” said the 28-year-old Takeshi from Saga Prefecture.

In a rematch of the 2017 World Championships women’s singles final, fourth seeded Nozomi Okuhara of Japan stamped her authority over world No 3 Sindhu V. Pursula of India with a 21-15 21-18 victory.

“It was a very exciting match and fun for the fans. I’m happy that everyone enjoyed the game. This is a my first win after the World Championships last year,” said the 23-year-old Japanese who loves Thai mangoes.

The 20-year-old world number 16, who started the third round sharing the lead with Sweden’s Caroline Hedwall, carded a two-under-par 69 to move to 11 under after 54 holes at Highland Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania.

Henderson, who is chasing the seventh LPGA Tour victory of her career, made five birdies and three birdies to claim sole possession of the lead.

Her final birdie came on the par-five 17th, taking her away from American duo Angela Stanford and Brittany Lincicome, who are lurking just behind on 10-under.

“This week things have been clicking for me a little bit better than normal, and I’m just excited to see my name at the top of the leaderboard,” Henderson said.

“I would have liked to have played a bit better today but I’m happy to be in top spot. Hopefully I can play a bit better tomorrow.”

For a while it looked as if Stanford was poised to take the lead after carding a six-under-par 65 for the second day running.

Stanford surged up the leaderboard after a blistering start which saw her reel off three consecutive birdies.

The 40-year-old Texan eventually posted eight birdies and two bogeys to remain at 10 under.

Lincicome, who opened with back-to-back 68s in the first two rounds, added a solid four-under-par 67 to put her within striking distance of a ninth tour victory.

The 32-year-old two-time major winner is looking for her second victory of the season following her win in the Pure Silk-Bahamas Classic in January.

Another American player, Jacqui Concolino, was two off the lead on nine under. Concolino shot a two-under-par 69 on Saturday to claim fourth spot.

A cluster of 11 players were tied for fifth place on eight-under heading into the fourth round, a group which included the South Korean contingent of Kim In-kyung, Lee Mi-rim and Chun In-gee.

The group also included American amateur Jennifer Kupcho, the US collegiate champion, who thrust herself into contention with a five-under-par 66.

Overnight leader Hedwall meanwhile drifted from contention after a three-over-par 74. Hedwall is now five adrift of the lead after posting four bogeys and a birdie.

The 31-year-old former world number one won the last of his 12 majors at the 2016 French Open when he completed the career Grand Slam.

And after a shattering quarter-final exit at this year’s Roland Garros, which saw his world ranking slump to its lowest in 12 years, the Serb even considered sitting out Wimbledon where he has been champion in 2011, 2014 and 2015.

However, on Saturday, Djokovic was the big-hitting, chest-pumping star of old as he defeated old rival Rafael Nadal 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (11/9), 3-6, 10-8 in an epic semi-final to book a Sunday title showdown with Kevin Anderson.

“Yes, there were moments of doubt, of frustration, disappointment, where you’re questioning whether you want to keep it going,” said Djokovic back in a Slam final for the first time since finishing runner-up at the 2016 US Open.

It was at Wimbledon last year where his troubles started.

An elbow injury forced a retirement in his quarter-final and he sat out the rest of 2017.

He was then knocked out of the Australian Open in the last 16 in January by Hyeon Chung, then ranked at 58.

Taro Daniel, the 109-ranked Japanese player, stunned in him in Indian Wells before Benoit Paire, at 47 in the rankings, knocked him out in Miami.

In what was becoming a familiar tale, Martin Klizan, at 140, ousted him in Barcelona before there were signs of life with a run to the final at Queen’s Club on the eve of Wimbledon.

“I managed to overcome challenges and obstacles, get myself to the final of a Slam,” added Djokovic.

“Obviously if you told me that six months ago, I would take it right away.

“But did I truly believe that I can get back on the level? Yes, I mean, it’s hard for me to play tennis and not believe that I can be the best in what I do.”

At Wimbledon this year, he has battled unruly crowds, claiming elements of Centre Court were “unfair” to him in his win over home hope Kyle Edmund, and bizarre scheduling.

Seeded at a lowly 12, he suffered the indignity of being exiled to Court Two for his second round.

He will take a 5-1 career record over 32-year-old Anderson into Sunday’s final.

His only loss was in 2008, while he has twice defeated the big-serving South African in two of his trophy-winning campaigns at Wimbledon in 2011 and 2015.

Anderson is the first South African man since Brian Norton in 1921 to reach the Wimbledon final.

He is also just the third African to reach this stage after Norton and Jaroslav Drobny who represented Egypt when he made the championship match in 1952 and 1954.

“I really hope that it’s a source of inspiration for kids,” said Anderson after his 6-hour 36-minute epic semi-final win over John Isner, the second longest singles match ever played at a Grand Slam.

The 2017 US Open runner-up had knocked out eight-time champion Roger Federer in the quarter-finals, also in five sets, saving a match point along the way.

The Florida-based Johannesburg-born player has spent 21 hours on court getting to the final.

Sunday’s final may not be easy on the eye, however, with Anderson having fired 172 aces so far while boasting the fourth fastest serve at 140mph (225.3 km/h).

“I don’t know if I’ll be the clear favourite in that one. I think we’re quite even,” insisted Djokovic.

“He’s definitely playing the tennis of his life. He’s coming off from two epic marathon five-set wins. I don’t think he has much to lose.

“He’s going to come out with big serves and big tennis. Hopefully I’ll be able to weather the storm.”

Fears of racism, violence and diplomatic spats clouded the build-up in Russia, but since the football began, it has been an overwhelmingly positive experience for foreign visitors, of whom there have been more than a million according to FIFA.

Supporters from across the world took over the streets of Moscow and other host cities, with Latin American fans coming in especially large numbers.

There have been fewer visitors from western countries for a number of reasons, including well-publicised frosty diplomatic relations with Russia. But England fans were among Europeans who roused themselves to come to Russia towards the end of the competition when they thought their team had a chance of going all the way.

– A different side –

Having been scared off by stories that they could be targeted by hooligans, they have seen a different side to Russia and most will leave with the same impression as their team’s manager.

“The organisation of the tournament has been brilliant, our welcome in Russia in every city has been outstanding,” said Gareth Southgate after his team’s 2-0 defeat against Belgium in the third-place play-off in Saint Petersburg.

“There is a lot talked about the relationship between our two countries, but on a personal level, and mixing with the people, we couldn’t have been made more welcome.”

Whether it has really been “the best World Cup ever”, as FIFA president Gianni Infantino described it, is one thing. But Russia has put on a great show, and the football has been memorable.

There have been slightly fewer goals than four years ago in Brazil (163 before the final compared with 171 in total in 2014), but there has only been one goalless draw, between France and Denmark.

Initial fears about the introduction of video assistant referees have proven largely misplaced, despite some controversies during the group stage.

Most refreshingly of all, Croatia’s remarkable run to the final and the premature departures of powerhouses like Germany, Spain and Argentina show that international football can still be so unpredictable, in contrast with the UEFA Champions League, a competition dominated by a few wealthy clubs.

It was meant to be the World Cup of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo or perhaps Neymar — Brazil went out in the quarter-finals, while Messi and Ronaldo were eliminated in the last 16 and, now in their 30s, may never win the trophy.

– Croatia an inspiration –

Kylian Mbappe, Eden Hazard and Luka Modric have shone, but this has not been a World Cup dominated by an individual, a reminder that it is wrong to reduce this team sport down to just a few names.

“For me, Messi is the best player in the world, Neymar is very close to Messi, and all those star-studded teams who relied and focused exclusively on these players, went home early,” said Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic.

“The teams who were compact, united, who fought for something, remained longer. Maybe this is one of the weirdest World Cups.”

Perhaps it has been, especially as their run to the final suggests that it could be futile for a country to plan long-term for success.

Football in Croatia is wrought by infrastructural and political problems, and Dalic himself only became coach late in their qualifying campaign, but thanks to his impact and some good players they have gone far.

“It’s inspiring for anyone in the world. If Croatia win the World Cup, you should be able to fight for your dreams,” said Belgium manager Roberto Martinez.

They have given hope to smaller countries, who will aspire to emulate their success as the World Cup heads for a new, uncertain era, with the 2022 tournament in Qatar being played in November and December, and the controversial expansion to 48 teams set for 2026 in North America.

Football fever has slowly built over the last four weeks as the country took its young national team to heart, with ecstatic scenes after their semi-final victory, a sign of the country’s hunger for success.

On what is a traditional holiday weekend to mark France’s national day, many families will watch from camp sites or hotels, while giant screens have been erected in cities nationwide under exceptionally tight security.

The biggest gathering of all is expected in Paris where 90,000 will converge on a fanzone next to the Eiffel Tower — walking distance from the Champs Elysees boulevard where all great national triumphs are celebrated.

With success on the pitch, a country riven by tensions and still recovering from a series of terror attacks that have claimed nearly 250 lives since 2015 has been able to revel in a newfound feeling of togetherness.

“We must be proud to be French! We don’t say it enough: We live well in France, we eat well, it’s a beautiful country,” star striker Antoine Griezmann reminded his compatriots on Friday.

Despite the country’s enviable lifestyle, it has lacked “joie de vivre” for years, as shown in numerous surveys finding its people to be among some of the most pessimistic on the planet.

Much of this is down to decades of high unemployment, mounting public debt and the homegrown terror threat of late, which has fuelled fears about immigration and the success of far-right political parties.

The national football squad, the majority of whom are non-white, has provided a tonic to a divisive debate about French identity after their impeccable performance on and off the pitch as national ambassadors.

“France today is a France full of colours,” midfield star Paul Pogba, who is French of Guinean origin, told a press conference last week. “We all feel French, we’re all happy to wear this jersey.

“I’m very happy to have grown up in France, to have the French culture, even if I went abroad very early. France is beautiful as it is, that’s how we love it, and that’s how we’ll always love it.”

Such talk has led to inevitable comparisons to how France celebrated its diversity in 1998 when it last won the World Cup with its “Black, Blanc, Beur” (Black, White, north African) team led by Zinedine Zidane.

The optimism was short-lived, however.

– Political afterglow? –

One person desperate for victory will be 40-year-old President Emmanuel Macron, a keen football supporter who will be watching in Moscow from the stands with his wife Brigitte.

Former president Jacques Chirac enjoyed a surge in popularity following France’s 1998 victory — and Macron too will hope to benefit from the afterglow amid a poll ratings slump.

The former investment banker is regularly targeted by critics for being elitist and out-of-touch  — an image the beautiful game can help to soften.

A World Cup win “could indeed make him appear closer to voters. After all football is the sport where societal differences are blurred,” said Frederic Dabi of the Ifop polling institute.

Any boost to economic growth would also be highly welcome, with Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire saying a win could give GDP a further shot in the arm.

Winning the World Cup would reinforce the message pro-business Macron has delivered to international investors since his election in May last year: that “France is back” as a dynamic, exciting place.

“There’s an irrational element in the economy that is based on confidence, desire, enthusiasm,” Le Maire told French television this week.

One sector that is already booming is the sports apparel industry.

Fans have been snapping up team jerseys, with the “authentic” Nike version repeatedly selling out despite its 160 euro ($185) price tag.

“It’s not just buying a piece of cloth, it’s more of a genuine transfer of emotion,” claimed Virgile Caillet, who represents French sports goods stores, last week.

– Terror fears –

Despite the excitement, security will be in the back of fans’ minds after the series of deadly terror attacks since 2015, often by individuals attacking crowds enjoying a night out.

France has deployed 110,000 police and security forces across the country over the weekend, which coincided with the Bastille Day national holiday and military parade.

At the huge gated fan zone near the Eiffel Tower, police will be carrying out pat-downs and searches, part of expanded powers granted by a tough anti-terror law passed last year.

In case of a French victory some 4,000 police officers will be on duty Sunday night in Paris, and a huge perimeter surrounding the Champs Elysees will be blocked off to traffic, the first such operation in recent memory.

Djokovic defied the odds and even stunned himself by cruising to a 13th major title on Sunday to go fourth on the all-time list of Slam winners.

Only Pete Sampras (14), Rafael Nadal (17) and Roger Federer (20) are ahead of him following his 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (7/3) victory over Kevin Anderson.

Now the 31-year-old heads for the North America hard court season where he has traditionally thrived.

Of his 69 career titles, 51 have been on hard courts with 17 of those in the United States.

When he won his first Wimbledon in 2011, he was to add his maiden US Open, repeating the grass court/hard court double four years later.

His desire to repeat that feat burns even deeper after he missed last year’s New York showpiece with the elbow injury which threatened to torpedo his career after his 2017 Wimbledon bid ended prematurely at the quarter-final stage.

“Well, I understand that people are questioning whether I can consistently play at this level. Trust me, I am, too,” said Djokovic.

“If you asked me a month and a half ago whether I think I can win Wimbledon, part of me yes, I hope, but maybe I wasn’t that sure at that time of my level of tennis.

“But this is going to be a huge confidence boost and springboard for whatever is coming up. I like to play on hard courts.

“The US Open was always a successful tournament for me. I didn’t played it last year. I’m looking forward to go out there and play my best.”

Djokovic’s title triumph on Sunday, against a weary Anderson who had spent 21 hours on court becoming the first South African man in the final in 97 years, was his first at the majors since Roland Garros in 2016 when he completed the career Grand Slam.

He arrived at Wimbledon in a prolonged slump after undergoing elbow surgery and with his ranking at 21, his lowest for 12 years.

But with two-time champion Andy Murray missing, eight-time winner Federer defeated by Anderson in the quarter-finals and Djokovic beating world number one Nadal, the 2008 and 2010 champion in a 5-hour 15-minute semi-final, the stage was set for the Serb.

He will head to the United States boosted by his rejuvenation and knowing that he has a winning record against all his leading rivals.

He is 27-25 against Nadal, 23-22 when up against Federer and 25-11 in his head-to-head series with Murray.

Despite his joy at winning his first Slam for two years, Djokovic admitted that there were times when he thought he would never return to the top.

“Yeah, yeah, absolutely. There were several moments where I was frustrated and questioning whether I can get back on the desired level or not.

“But that makes this whole journey even more special for me.”

With the score level at 1-1, Argentine referee Nestor Pitana changed his initial decision and awarded a spot-kick, converted by Antoine Griezmann, for handball against Ivan Perisic after viewing television replays.

Dalic defended VAR (the video assistant referee system) as a “good thing for football” but believes his side’s luck in Russia finally ran out after penalty shootout wins over Denmark and Russia on route to the final.

“I never comment on referees but in a World Cup final you do not give such a penalty,” said Dalic.

“It in no way diminishes France’s win. We were a bit unlucky. Maybe in the first six games we were favoured by luck and today we weren’t.

“I have to congratulate my players. Maybe today we played our best game at these championships. Against such a strong side as France you must not make mistakes. We are a bit sad but we must also be proud of what we’ve done.”

Dalic also bemoaned his side’s lack of fortune as France’s opener came via Mario Mandzukic’s own goal.

Despite having played 90 extra minutes than Les Bleus over the course of the tournament in three periods of extra time, and having a day’s less rest before the final, Croatia dominated the first-half.

Perisic deservedly equalised and Griezmann’s penalty was France’s first shot on target.

France’s pace on the counter-attack proved too much in the second period, though, as Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe added to their lead before Mandzukic pounced on an error from Hugo Lloris for a consolation.

“On our bus there is a slogan: “small country with big dreams”. That’s a good message to all,” added Dalic.

“You should never give up, never stop believing. At 4-1 down I was not defeated. Overall, Croatia played a great tournament and showed its strength and quality.

“I would like to thank all my players for what they have done. Having a look back, I am proud.”

Croatia did at least win one prize as captain Luka Modric was rewarded for his outstanding tournament with the Golden Ball for the World Cup’s best player.

“We are very glad for Luka Modric to have won the Golden Ball, deservedly so, and he played a terrific tournament,” said Dalic.

“That’s another commendation for the team. He did the lion’s share of the work in our play and deserved the Golden Ball although we did not win.”

Dalic was drafted in as coach in October when Croatia were in danger of not even making it to Russia before their final qualifier.

And with his reputation now sky-high, he said he will take time to consider his future.

“I will take time out,” he added. “At this moment I’m not thinking about anything other than going back to Croatia and having a rest.”

After flooring Matthysse in the third and fifth round, Pacquiao landed the decisive left uppercut that put away the Argentinian for good, prompting referee Kenny Bayless to stop the fight 2:43 into the seventh.

This is Pacquiao’s first knockout win in nine years after he stopped Miguel Cotto for the WBO World welterweight title in 2009.

“We did a good job in training. We were not pushing hard. We controlled ourselves,” said Pacquiao in the ring interview after the fight.

Pacquiao scored his first knock down midway through the third round landing with a couple of shots to the face of Matthysse.

The Filipino legend got his second knock down in the fifth when Matthysse, after absorbing a right cross to the head, knelt with just five seconds to go in the round.

The WBA belt is Pacquiao’s new welterweight title after he held the WBO strap twice.

Pacquiao joined IBF champion Errol Spence and WBO champion Terrence Crawford atop the welterweight division.

Pacquiao, the only man to have won world titles in eight weight divisions in a glittering 23-year career, tipped the scales at 146 pounds.

“I am ready. Everything is under control,” said the 39-year-old Pacquiao. “I am motivated, I am happy and I am hungry.”

The heavily tattooed Matthysse played up his one-inch height advantage by looking down on Pacquiao as the two came face-to-face for the last time before Sunday’s 12-round showdown in Kuala Lumpur.

“I am feeling good,” Matthysse told AFP as he was about to demolish a fruit platter for his post weigh-in meal after coming in the heavier man, just under the limit at 146.7 pounds.

“I made the weight, I’m ready to eat and I’m ready for the battle tomorrow.”

The weigh-in was held in mildly chaotic scenes at a packed auditorium in the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

Hundreds of mainly Filipino fans pushed forward to get a glimpse of the fighters as they left prompting fears the stage might collapse under their weight before order was restored.

Pacquiao is challenging “The Machine” Matthysse for the World Boxing Association welterweight belt at the Axiata Arena on Sunday, knowing defeat could lower the curtain on one of the greatest careers in boxing history.

Pacquiao faced calls to retire from friends, family and even his Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach when he lost the WBO belt to journeyman Australian Jeff Horn a year ago.

Roach has been replaced for the fight by Pacquiao’s long-term friend and cornerman Buboy Fernandez and another defeat could see the veteran “National Fist” hang up his gloves for good.

But victory for Pacquiao (59-7-2, 38 KOs) would see him become a five-time welterweight world champion and extend his legendary status and his life in the ring beyond his 40th birthday in December.

Pacquiao is going for his 60th victory since turning pro in 1995, but despite winning 38 of his first 47 fights by knockout, he has not stopped an opponent in nine years.

Knock-out specialist Matthysse has finished 36 of his 39 wins inside the distance and took the vacant WBA belt after an eighth-round stoppage of Thailand’s Teerachai Sithmorseng in January.

But the last time he faced an opponent of Pacquiao’s calibre he was knocked out in the 10th round by Ukrainian super lightweight world champion Viktor Postol in 2015.

Matthysse suffered a fractured left eye socket after taking a beating from Postol that put him out of boxing for 19 months and this is only his third fight since.

A strong undercard features three world title fights. The interim World Boxing Association featherweight belt is on the line when Mexico’s Edivaldo Ortega (26-1-1, 16 KOs) fights unbeaten and highly rated Filipino prospect Jhack Tepora (21-0, 16 KOs).

Vastly experienced South African Moruti “Baby Face” Mthalane (35-2, 24 KOs) defends his International Boxing Federation flyweight title against the unbeaten Pakistani Muhammad Waseem (8-0, 6 KOs).

Carlos Canizares of Venezuela (20-0-1, 16 KOs) puts his WBA light flyweight title and unbeaten record on the line against Chinese rookie Lu Bin (1-0, 1 KO), who could become the first boxer in history to win a world title in his second professional fight.

Kerber avenged her defeat against Williams in the 2016 Wimbledon title match, overwhelming the seven-time champion with a stunning 65-minute upset on Centre Court.

“I knew I had to play my best tennis against a champion like Serena,” Kerber said.

“It was my second chance to play in the final. I think I’m the next one after Steffi who won. That’s amazing.”

Williams had hoped to equal Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles by winning her first major prize since becoming a mother in September.

The 36-year-old, who last won a Grand Slam at the 2017 Australian Open, went into the final as the title favourite, even though she was playing only the fourth tournament of her post-pregnancy comeback.

But instead world number 10 Kerber sprang a huge surprise, making her Germany’s first female champion at the All England Club since Steffi Graf in 1996.

“It’s obviously disappointing but I am just getting started,” said an emotional Williams after losing in the Wimbledon final for the first time since 2008.

“For all you mums out there I was playing for you. I really tried.”

Graf helped Kerber get her game on track earlier in the her career, so it was an especially sweet moment for the 30-year-old to follow in her footsteps at Wimbledon.

Kerber had endured a significant slump last year after wining her previous major titles at the Australian and US Opens in 2016.

But, back to her best on the grass at Wimbledon, she needed only 11 winners and one ace to deny an oddly nervous Serena, who contributed to her own downfall with a whopping 24 unforced errors, compared to only five from Kerber.

In the first Wimbledon final for 41 years to feature two women 30 or older, Serena was cheered on by her friend the Duchess of Sussex, golf legend Tiger Woods and Formula One ace Lewis Hamilton.

Left needing several life-saving operations to deal with the threat of blood clots after Olympia’s birth, Williams was unable to walk for six weeks and even now is still haunted by harrowing flashbacks to that period.

– Error-strewn –

Winning Wimbledon with Olympia at the tournament with her was supposed to be the crowning glory of her return to the top.

But, foreshadowing the pain to come, Serena’s 30th Grand Slam final got off to a rocky start as she dropped her serve with four unforced errors in the opening game.

Play had started two hours late due to the conclusion of Novak Djokovic’s win over Rafael Nadal in the men’s semi-finals, and it was Serena who looked more affected by the delay

She briefly hit back, breaking to love in the fourth game, but then produced another error-strewn effort, including two double faults, to gift a 4-3 lead to Kerber.

Although Williams was on a 20-match winning run at Wimbledon and had lost only one set en route to the final, she was completely out of sorts, spraying wild ground-strokes wide time and again.

Kerber, cleverly moving Serena into awkward positions, took full advantage, winning four games in a row to wrap up the set.

The 11th seed knew what it took to beat Serena in a Grand Slam showpiece after winning their 2016 Australian Open final.

She kept nagging away at Serena and induced more miscues from the American in the sixth game of the second set.

On break point, the left-hander landed the knockout blow with a fierce forehand winner down the line that left Williams grasping in vain to reach it.

When Williams made another mistake to lose the next game, she gestured to her coaching team with a look of depair.

Her agony only increased with a woeful volley that flew long to put Kerber within two points of the title.

Moments later, Serena’s misery was complete as a tame return left Kerber wiping away tears of joy.