WIMBLEDON 2010: Brutal Williams sees off Kvitova to reach final

 THE underdogs have finally met their makers at Wimbledon as Serena Williams thumped her way into a sixth SW19 final with Russia's Vera Zvonareva.

ON A ROLL: Serena Williams has still not lost a set at the All England Club en route to her sixth Wimbledon final (Getty Images)

Earlier in the day Zvonareva, the 21st seed, brought an end the Bulgarian beauty Tsvetana Pironkova's remarkable run and defending champion Williams followed that up with a brutal display of power to see off Petra Kvitova.

Kvitova had never won a match at Wimbledon prior to this year but the world number 62 has been in superb form hitherto her clash with Williams - and she made the American work for every inch of her 7-6, 6-2 victory.

"It was a tough match, it really wasn't easy," said Williams. "I had to work really hard to get that win.

"I didn't expect to get this far in the tournament after the way that I started it so I'm just happy to still be here. It feels like such a blessing.

"Vera is a great player and we've played some great matches before so there's no doubt it's going to be very tough.

"I really feel like I've got nothing to lose in the final and nor does Vera so I'm sure it's going to be a great match."

Williams was fretting about her curtsy in front of the Queen last week but has since celebrated each victory by performing it for the crowd - but there was nothing lady-like about the way she blitzed past Kvitova.

The 20-year-old Czech is not short on power herself but they don't come any more hard-hitting than Williams and with her serve once more on song, the American is one match away from defending her crown.

Williams remains insistent that she is not playing her best at Wimbledon this year but her serve remains a lethal weapon - and it has ensured she has not lost a set en route to the final.

Kvitova stood toe-to-toe with Williams for the first set - the fightnig spirit on show in her gruelling three-set semi-final win over Kaia Kanepi was evident for all in Centre Court to see.

But eventually Williams dug out the first set with a ruthless tie-break performance - taking it 7-5.

The second set and Kvitova could not help but let her shoulders slump and Williams, having seized the momentum was able to secure the necessary double break and book a final clash with Zvonareva.