Tennis: Garbine Muguruza faces another Williams final showdown

Spain’s Garbine Muguruza celebrates during her semi-final match against Slovakia’s Magdalena Rybarikova on July 13, 2017. PHOTO: REUTERS

LONDON (Reuters) - Garbine Muguruza is aiming to become the first Spanish woman for 23 years to win Wimbledon - and yet again a Williams sister stands in her way.

The 23-year-old stormed into the final by beating Magdalena Rybarikova on Thursday. Only one Spaniard has previously lifted the Wimbledon women's title - Conchita Martinez, who has been coaching Muguruza at this tournament and cheered her to victory in her semi-final.

It will be Muguruza's second Wimbledon final. She will face five-time champion Venus Williams on Saturday, having been defeated in 2015 by Venus' sister Serena, a seven-time winner.

"I always stare at the wall where there are all the names of the previous winners. In the past years, you see the Williams surname a lot," Muguruza said after beating Magdalena Rybarikova 6-1, 6-1 . "So I look forward to putting a Spanish name back there.

"Facing Venus, you know, she won here like five times. She knows how to play, especially Wimbledon finals. It's going to be a historic final again."

Venus enjoyed a 6-4, 6-2 victory over home hope Johanna Konta later on Thursday.

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