Serena Williams raced into a 4-0 lead, breaking her opponent twice

Serena Williams storms into Wimbledon 2016 final with emphatic straight sets win over Elena Vesnina in just 48 minutes

•     Serena Williams raced into a 4-0 lead, breaking her opponent twice

•     Defending champion closed out the first set 6-2

•     And Williams then broke three times in the second set, winning it 6-0

•     She will meet the either sister Venus or Angelique Kerber in the final 

By Stuart Fraser for MailOnline 

Serena Williams is once again on the verge of equalling Steffi Graf’s Grand Slam Open Era record of 22 titles after the world No 1 needed just 48 minutes to see off Elena Vesnina and reach the Wimbledon final.

Vesnina did not have an answer for the power coming off her opponent’s racket as six-time Wimbledon champion Williams produced her best performance of the year in a 6-2, 6-0 victory on Centre Court.

After defeats in the Australian Open and Roland Garros finals this year, Williams will hope it is third time lucky on Saturday when the 34-year-old takes on sister Venus or Angelique Kerber.

 Serena Williams needed just 48 minutes to ease her way into the final with a 6-2, 6-0 win over Elena Vesnina

 Williams dominated from start to finish, racing into a 4-0 lead in the first set, before closing it out 6-2

Williams said: ‘I can’t believe I am in the final again. I am 0-2 this year, I am determined to get at least one this year.’

Of the prospect of playing Venus, she said: ‘It would be great. We would be guaranteed to have a Williams on the trophy. Obviously I want her to win [against Kerber] and do well.’

Russian Vesnina was playing in her first Grand Slam semi-final and could not take much inspiration from her head-to-head record with Williams, never winning a set in their four previous meetings.

 The early indications were that Thursday’s match was not going to end any differently. Williams was consistently hitting with depth and she eased to a 3-0 lead with a double break in just 10 minutes.

The Centre Court crowd let out a huge cheer when Vesnina finally got on the board for 1-4 but that was as good as it was to get with Williams going on to claim the opening set with an ace down the middle.

 The unseeded Russian simply couldn't cope with the world No 1, who is into her ninth Wimbledon final

 Williams celebrates with a clenched fist as she eases through another round of her title defence

Any remaining hopes of a contest dwindled further at the start of the second set as Williams immediately broke the Vesnina serve. She reeled off another five games in quick succession, sealing victory in style with a forehand drive volley – her 28th winner of the match.

Williams said: ‘I’m very happy. I was really focused today.’

The win also ensures that Williams retains her world No 1 ranking post-Wimbledon, making it 178 consecutive weeks at the top, just eight behind another record of Graf’s.

Vesnina will have an immediate chance for some form of redemption later on Thursday when she and partner Ekaterina Makarova take on the Williams sisters in the ladies’ doubles quarter-finals.

 Vesnina was playing in her first Grand Slam semi-final and found herself a double break in just 10 minutes

She waves to the crowd after booking her place against either sister Venus or Angelique Kerber in the final

The Duchess of Cambridge met Oracene Price - Venus and Serena's mum - earlier

 Exhibition stuff from Serena. She goes into the net to make it 30-0, throws down her 11th ace to bring up three match points, and then finishes with a forehand smash. I think her sister's match, coming up, will be a lot closer. Huge gulf in class between Serena and Vesnina.

 Serena cruises through another service game without losing a point.

 Serena 5-2 Vesnina
Vesnina goes 30-0 ahead, and then holds to 15. Williams will have to serve for the match.

 Serena 5-1 Vesnina
Serena sails into a 30-0 lead before being pinned back to 30-15. She then composes herself to slam an ace, before taking the game on her serve. Six games on, 22 minutes gone.

 Some snaps of Serena from the match so far

 

 STAT ATTACK

Serena Williams is once again on the verge of equalling Steffi Graf’s Grand Slam record of    22 titles after the world No 1 needed just 48 minutes to see off Elena Vesnina and reach the Wimbledon final.

Wimbledon ‏@Wimbledon 1h1 hour ago

Serena's flawless performance in numbers... #Wimbledonpic.twitter.com/iN1Cm81g0Y

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