Serena Williams vs Simona Halep LIVE: Halep beats Williams 6-2 6-2 to win Wimbledon

Halep dominated from the start, winning the first four games.

That gave her a double break and she never looked back, waltzing to the first set 6-2.

Serena Williams, who has seeking to equal the all-time record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles, came out for the second set with more determination.

But the American was not at the races and Halep won the second set 6-2 too to win her first ever Wimbledon title.

Goodbye

3.25pm: That’s it from Express Sport’s live coverage of the Wimbledon women’s final.

There will be plenty of reaction on Express Sport over the next few hours so keep your eyes out.

We will be back tomorrow for the men’s final. Roger Federer takes on Novak Djokovic at 2pm.

Enjoy the rest of your Saturday!

Winner’s words

3.20pm: And now Halep is on the mic. She looked nerveless but admits that wasn’t the case.

“It was the best match I have ever played,” she says.

“I have worked a lot for this moment and it was an honour to play in front of the Royal Box. I have no words to explain but I feel great.

“I had nerves. My stomach wasn’t well before.”

Serena speaks

3.15pm: Serena Williams admits she was beaten by the better woman today.

She said: “She played out of her mind, congratulations Simona.

“It was a little deer in the headlights for me.

“Whenever someone plays that amazing, you just have to take your hat off and give a nod on the head.”

What a win

3.10pm: That was a truly dominant display from Simona Halep.

Stay with us as the trophy presentations begin.

Williams 2-6 2-6 Halep – HALEP WINS WIMBLEDON

No nerves from Simona Halep who is the Wimbledon champion. She holds to love and falls to floor in celebration. What a performance from the Romanian!

Williams 2-6 2-5 Halep

Halep makes it 0-30 before Williams finds some big serves. A weak backhand makes it deuce though. Now a forehand into the net and it’s break point Halep. And there’s the double break. Halep one game from the Wimbledon title.

Williams 2-6 2-4 Halep

Serena gets a bit of luck with the net cord, making it 15-30 but Halep pulls it back with a big serve. And she holds to consolidate the break.

Williams 2-6 2-3 Halep

Halep chasing everything down and has 0-30. A big serve but then 15-40. And Williams puts a simple backhand long! Halep has the break.

Williams 2-6 2-2 Halep

And now Halep holds to love. Much closer second set though in comparison to the first.

Williams 2-6 2-1 Halep

A Williams drop shot forces a Halep slip before a big serve. And the American holds to love.

Williams 2-6 1-1 Halep

Now 30-30 on the Halep serve but Williams fires wide from a second serve. And Halep holds.

Williams 2-6 1-0 Halep

Williams getting vocal, plenty of screams of ‘COME ON!’ as she tries to psyche herself up. But it’s 30-30 again. This time Williams holds.

Williams 2-6 Halep

And Halep takes the first set. Remarkable defensive play from the Romanian in that game but it was her quick start that earned her the set.

Williams 2-5 Halep

Williams makes Halep serve for the set as she holds again to love.

Williams 1-5 Halep

That game has clearly settled Williams, who goes onto the offensive and it’s 30-30 and then deuce. Break point Williams but Halep fights back and holds. She’s one game from the first set.

Williams 1-4 Halep

That’s more like it from Williams, who finds a couple of big serves. She holds to love and gets a game on the scoreboard.

Williams 0-4 Halep

Errors galore from Williams. Is the record on her mind? It’s another game to Halep.

Williams 0-3 Halep

It’s 30-30 again on the Williams serve. Williams goes miles long with a backhand and it’s another break point. And a cracking return makes it 3-0. Halep on fire.

Williams 0-2 Halep

Three times in a row Williams can only find the net. And Halep holds to love.

Williams 0-1 Halep

Couple of big serves from Williams but also a wonderful passing shot from Halep and it’s 30-30. Halep gets break point as Serena finds the net with a backhand. And a wide forehand from the American gives Halep a dream start.

Play…

2.09pm: The Duchesses of Cambridge and Sussex are in the Royal Box at Wimbledon. It’s Serena Williams to serve.

Moments away

2pm: The two Wimbledon finalists are on Centre Court ready to start their warm-ups in front of Prime Minister Theresa May.

We are now just moments away from the 2019 final.

Federer advice

1.45pm: Roger Federer will play tomorrow in the men’s final against Novak Djokovic. But the Swiss star has some advice for Halep.

“Try to win it, you know,” Federer said when asked if he has any advice for Halep.

“Yeah, I mean, you got to have the winner mentality, don’t you?

“It’s not like, I’m happy to be in the finals. It’s Serena, I have no chance. Like this you’re going to lose, that’s for sure.

“You have to have that winner mentality, that I belong here, I’ve earned my way here, I’ve been playing great.”

Halep excited

1.30pm: It’s a tough ask for Simona Halep, who has only ever beaten Williams once before.

But the Romanian, who is ranked seventh at Wimbledon, believes the previous losses give her a better chance this time around.

“Of course, I respect a lot what she has done and what she’s doing, but now I feel stronger mentally facing her,” Halep said.

“I think it’s a great feeling to face Serena in a Grand Slam final. If you are able to win, it makes it sweeter.”

Serena calm

1.15pm: She’s chasing a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title, and eighth Wimbledon crown, but Serena Williams isn’t feeling the nerves.

“I definitely feel like I play better when I’m calm,” Williams said.

“But it’s definitely an effort. Not getting over-pumped, but at the same time not getting under-wound. I have to be in that right space.”

Williams lost to Angelique Kerber in last year’s final.

Halep route to final

1pm: Simona Halep is in her first Wimbledon final. Here’s how she got there.

Round 1: Beat Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-4 7-5

Round 2: Beat Mihaela Buzernescu 6-3 4-6 6-2

Round 3: Beat Victoria Azarenka 6-3 6-1

Round 4: Beat Coco Gauff 6-3 6-3

Quarter-final: Beat Zhang Shuai 7-6 6-1

Semi-final: Beat Elina Svitolina 6-1 6-3

Williams route to final

12.45pm: Serena Williams is in her 11th Wimbledon singles final, but how did she get there?

Round 1: Beat Giulia Gatto-Monticone 6-4 7-5

Round 2: Beat Kaja Juvan 2-6 6-2 6-4

Round 3: Beat Julia Goerges 6-3 6-4

Round 4: Carla Suarez Navarro 6-2 6-2

Quarter-final: Beat Alison Riske 6-4 4-6 6-3

Semi-final: Beat Barbora Strycova 6-1 6-2

Hello all

12.30pm: Hello and welcome to coverage of the Wimbledon women’s final.

The players are due on court at 2pm with Serena Williams looking to win her first Wimbledon title since 2016.

This is Halep’s first final at SW19 with with Romanian’s previous best coming in 2014 when she reached the semi-final.

Stay with us as we build up to this tantalising final.