Venus Williams will hope to reclaim her Wimbledon crown after a nine-year wait on Saturday against Garbine Muguruza, in a final that has the makings of a classic battle of the big hitters.
Venus, aged 37 and undergoing a barely credible tennis renaissance, last stepped out onto Centre Court to contest a singles final in 2009.
She lost that match to Serena Williams, having beaten her younger sister to lift the aptly named Venus Rosewater Dish the previous year - the most recent of her seven grand slam titles.
Victory in Saturday's final - in which, with rain a possibility, the Wimbledon roof may come into play - would see the evergreen American surpass Serena as the oldest major title winner since the sport turned professional in 1968.
Having finished runner-up in the Australian Open in January, Venus would also move to the top of the leaderboard as the best main tour player of 2017.
Albeit on a less eye-catching scale, Muguruza is enjoying a comeback of her own.
Having reached her first slam final at Wimbledon in 2015 and then gone one better in 2016 by winning the French Open - playing Serena both times - the form of the Venezuela-born 23-year-old dipped towards the end of last year.
But since May she has made the semi-finals on the Rome clay - beating Venus in the last eight in three sets - and on the Birmingham grass.
With both players boasting similar strengths and weaknesses, the older Williams has been open about picking Serena's brains on how best to neutralise Muguruza's powerful serve and forehand, even joking this week that she wished her younger sister could play the match in her stead.
En route to Saturday's final, for which bookies make the Spaniard the slight favourite, both players have dropped just one set.
That means a decider could be on the cards, which history suggests would favour whoever starts best.
Of grand slam contests in which they have taken the first set, Muguruza has lost just two of 42, and Williams 18 of 250.
Reuters
Sat Jul 15 2017
![Venus Williams of the U.S. in action during her semi final match against Great Britains Johanna Konta. - REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge Venus Williams of the U.S. in action during her semi final match against Great Britains Johanna Konta. - REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2017-07/41500118349_VenusWilliams.jpg)
Venus Williams of the U.S. in action during her semi final match against Great Britains Johanna Konta. - REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge
![Australian research finds no link between mobile phones and various cancers Australian research finds no link between mobile phones and various cancers](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-12/81734678191_TBMOBILEPUBLIC.jpg)
Australian research finds no link between mobile phones and various cancers
The research found no association between radio wave exposure from mobile phones and various cancers.
![ANALYSIS - Trump's de minimis cancellation is bad news for Temu, but worse for Shein ANALYSIS - Trump's de minimis cancellation is bad news for Temu, but worse for Shein](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/41738736327_tbSheinTemuapp.jpg)
ANALYSIS - Trump's de minimis cancellation is bad news for Temu, but worse for Shein
De minimis rule is a measure that exempts shipments worth less than $800 from import duties.
![From hobby to heritage: 20 years of handcrafted kavadi for Thaipusam From hobby to heritage: 20 years of handcrafted kavadi for Thaipusam](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/41738834069_Pembuatkavadi.jpg)
From hobby to heritage: 20 years of handcrafted kavadi for Thaipusam
Everything is crafted by hand despite the rise of machine-made designs, says V.K.Pragalathen.
![Israeli military operation turns Jenin refugee camp into 'ghost town' Israeli military operation turns Jenin refugee camp into 'ghost town'](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/71738666360_Israelimilitary.jpg)
Israeli military operation turns Jenin refugee camp into 'ghost town'
Israel says its large-scale raid targets Iranian-backed groups in Jenin, a city in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
!['Dreams shattered' as Trump deports Indians ahead of Modi trip 'Dreams shattered' as Trump deports Indians ahead of Modi trip](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/81738915026_USmilitaryplane.jpg)
'Dreams shattered' as Trump deports Indians ahead of Modi trip
"They did not unlock our cuffs even when we ate."
![226 archaeological sites damaged in Gaza during Israel aggression: Report 226 archaeological sites damaged in Gaza during Israel aggression: Report](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/81738920509_GreatOmariMosque.jpg)
226 archaeological sites damaged in Gaza during Israel aggression: Report
The Palestinian Tourism and Antiquities Ministry on Wednesday announced that 226 archaeological sites in the Gaza Strip have been damaged as
![Organ donations remain low, over 10,000 patients waiting for a chance at life Organ donations remain low, over 10,000 patients waiting for a chance at life](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/81738903584_TBsurgeon.jpg)
Organ donations remain low, over 10,000 patients waiting for a chance at life
Even if the deceased was a registered organ donor pledger, we still require the family's consent, says Dr Mohd Syafiq Ismail Azman.
![Is this 2025, or 1965? Grammy wins for the Beatles and the Rolling Stones keep the rock canon in the past Is this 2025, or 1965? Grammy wins for the Beatles and the Rolling Stones keep the rock canon in the past](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/41738656949_SeanOnoLennon.jpg)
Is this 2025, or 1965? Grammy wins for the Beatles and the Rolling Stones keep the rock canon in the past
The Beatles' AI-assisted track, finished by remaining members, earned Recording Academy recognition 55 years after the band split.
![How can you help your child make friends? How can you help your child make friends?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-06/51685797394_Taska.jpg)
How can you help your child make friends?
Having lasting, meaningful friendships is extremely important for children's health, development and wellbeing.
![Congo's displaced fear violence, rape if they return home Congo's displaced fear violence, rape if they return home](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/61738556758_Kibatimarket.jpg)
Congo's displaced fear violence, rape if they return home
Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced by the surge in hostilities since the start of the year.
![As Trump imposes sanctions, how does the International Criminal Court work? As Trump imposes sanctions, how does the International Criminal Court work?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-01/51737764748_tbInternationalCrim.jpg)
As Trump imposes sanctions, how does the International Criminal Court work?
Trump authorises sanctions on those investigating the US or its allies at the ICC, repeating his first-term action.
![Enhancing cybersecurity to combat online crime, terrorism Enhancing cybersecurity to combat online crime, terrorism](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-10/81729245486_TBCYBERSECURITYB.jpg)
Enhancing cybersecurity to combat online crime, terrorism
AI can automatically filter extremist content on social media and detect suspicious communications across various digital platforms.
![Rising cancer cases in Malaysia stress the importance of proactive digestive health care Rising cancer cases in Malaysia stress the importance of proactive digestive health care](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81721223722_stomachache.jpg)
Rising cancer cases in Malaysia stress the importance of proactive digestive health care
Stomach and oesophageal cancers remind us of the importance of proactive care in managing our digestive health and well-being.
![Wooing Chinese tourists, Thai leader says she has 'Chinese blood in her' Wooing Chinese tourists, Thai leader says she has 'Chinese blood in her'](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/41738926628_TBTHAICHINA.jpg)
Wooing Chinese tourists, Thai leader says she has 'Chinese blood in her'
Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra says, she personally looked into security protocols in place to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens.
![No need to create guidelines for Muslims attending non-Muslim events - PM No need to create guidelines for Muslims attending non-Muslim events - PM](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/61738922827_AnwarIbrahim.jpg)
No need to create guidelines for Muslims attending non-Muslim events - PM
There is no need for such guidelines because Muslims already know their boundaries, says PM Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
![[COLUMNIST] Beyond quick fixes: Addressing the root causes of SPM absenteeism and workforce shortages [COLUMNIST] Beyond quick fixes: Addressing the root causes of SPM absenteeism and workforce shortages](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-05/51590765086_exam.jpg)
[COLUMNIST] Beyond quick fixes: Addressing the root causes of SPM absenteeism and workforce shortages
What the nation needs now are credible, research-driven solutions that do more than just scratch the surface.
![Anna Jenkins: High Court sets April 28 for decision on open verdict revision Anna Jenkins: High Court sets April 28 for decision on open verdict revision](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-10/81635504957_AnnaJenkins.jpg)
Anna Jenkins: High Court sets April 28 for decision on open verdict revision
Annapuranee "Anna" Jenkins' remains were found nearly three years later, after her 2017 abrupt disappearance while on holiday in Penang.
![Teacher testifies Zayn Rayyan’s mother screamed “this is mommy's fault Teacher testifies Zayn Rayyan’s mother screamed “this is mommy's fault](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/71738925520_ZaynRayyan.jpg)
Teacher testifies Zayn Rayyan’s mother screamed “this is mommy's fault"
According to the teacher, Zayn Rayyan's mother said those words when she visited the family a day after the child was reported missing.
![Interfaith events involving Muslims: Policy must take into account national unity, get Cabinet approval first Interfaith events involving Muslims: Policy must take into account national unity, get Cabinet approval first](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/51738921639_MohdNaimMokhtar.jpg)
Interfaith events involving Muslims: Policy must take into account national unity, get Cabinet approval first
This issue arose following several inquiries from Muslims regarding invitations to events organised by non-Muslim communities, says JAKIM.
![Indonesia begins talks with Britain to repatriate UK's 'most prolific rapist' Indonesia begins talks with Britain to repatriate UK's 'most prolific rapist'](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/71738920610_ReynhardSinaga.jpg)
Indonesia begins talks with Britain to repatriate UK's 'most prolific rapist'
Reynhard Sinaga was found guilty in Manchester of assaulting 48 men whom he drugged after taking them back to his apartment from clubs.