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Wimbledon 2018 Results: Women's Final Score and Men's Final Predictions

James Dudko@@JamesDudkoFeatured ColumnistJuly 14, 2018

Germany's Angelique Kerber carries the winner's trophy, the Venus Rosewater Dish, as she leaves the court after her women's singles final victory over US player Serena Williams on the twelfth day of the 2018 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 14, 2018. - Kerber won the match 6-3, 6-3. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE        (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)
GLYN KIRK/Getty Images

Angelique Kerber won the women's title at Wimbledon 2018 after beating Serena Williams in straight sets on Saturday. Kerber saw off the seven-time champion 6-3, 6-3 on Centre Court.

It's a third grand slam title for the 30-year-old German, who completed a rare feat for her country:

Wimbledon @Wimbledon

Following in great footsteps 🇩🇪 @AngeliqueKerber beats Serena Williams 6-3, 6-3 to become the first German to win a #Wimbledon singles title since Steffi Graf in 1996 🏆 #TakeOnHistory https://t.co/UwmpYbXZyR

Attention will now turn to Sunday's men's final between Kevin Anderson and Novak Djokovic. The latter reached the final by outlasting Rafael Nadal in a five-set encounter played over two nights.

Djokovic eventually won 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(9), 3-6, 10-8, with the final two sets played on Saturday. The 31-year-old former world No. 1 can add a fourth Wimbledon title to his resume by slowing down big-serving Anderson.

        

Anderson Will Boss the Ace Count

South African Anderson builds his game on powerful serving. The trait didn't desert the 32-year-old during his marathon-length semi-final win over John Isner, one of the few players who can outhit Anderson on serve.

Anderson's serving strength at Wimbledon has been broken down by Sandra Harwitt of USA Today Sports: "Isner served 53 aces in the match, while Anderson had 49. For the tournament, Isner served the most aces of any player at 214 aces, while Anderson is second with 172."

Serving could give Anderson the edge in the final.
Serving could give Anderson the edge in the final.OLI SCARFF/Getty Images

Djokovic is no slouch in the serving department, but he won't be able to equal the ferocity Anderson can muster, particularly on grass. Expect the Anderson serve to cause Djokovic problems and keep the man playing in his maiden final at Wimbledon in the match.

It will take all of Djokovic's defensive excellence to extend points when Anderson is serving and eventually slow the heavy hitter down.

        

Djokovic Will Be Fresher, Despite Playing Saturday

Djokovic may have had to play Saturday after his match against Nadal was suspended Friday night, but the former will still be fresher than Anderson.

While Djokovic was made to wait to see off Nadal, Anderson was still smarting from his historically long semi-final against Isner. Friday's first match lasted six hours and 35 minutes after going to an epic fifth set.

The physical and emotional toll was so great, it left Anderson calling for change despite coming out on the winning side, per BBC Sport's Saj Chowdhury: "I hope we look at this because you don't feel great. I hope this is a sign for Grand Slams to change."

Anderson also spoke about how the decider format took players past what's regularly required:

ATP World Tour @ATPWorldTour

“You're really in a war of attrition out there. It's way beyond a normal tennis match or tactics... It's just who's going to outlast each other." Kevin Anderson reflects on his epic six-hour, 36-minute win in the #Wimbledon semi-finals. Read More ➡️ https://t.co/dYFxOGTEsR https://t.co/rZLoVwjUFt

Of course, Anderson was left to rest while Djokovic built a 2-1 lead over Nadal before play was suspended and both men were asked to continue things just 24 hours before the final.

Going to a lengthy fifth set surely took a lot out of Djokovic. Some even believe the Serb was pushed further than Anderson because of the higher standard of his match with Nadal:

Brad Gilbert @bgtennisnation

They was way more running 🏃 and intense points in Vamos-Rafa vs Djoker match https://t.co/Rwr6FFrzXG

While this is a valid point, it overlooks the fact the match with Isner wasn't the first time Anderson has been pushed to a fifth set at the All England Club this year. He also played out a prolonged five-set battle against defending champion Roger Federer at the quarter-final stage.

Anderson shocked Federer, but the match still taxed the winner:

Christopher Clarey @christophclarey

Federer-Anderson QF: Over four hours Nadal-Del Potro QF: Over four hours Anderson-Isner SF: Over six hours Nadal-Djokovic SF: Over five hours (and counting)

The emotional and physical effects of overcoming a legend like Federer, as well as those created by reaching a first Wimbledon final, could leave Anderson spent in clutch moments on Sunday.

By contrast, Djokovic has enough experience at this level to know how to marshal his reserves and hold his nerve when it counts.

Prediction: Djokovic wins 6-2, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4