Zvonareva beats Pironkova to reach Wimbledon final

Russia’s Vera Zvonareva came from a set down to beat unseeded Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova and reach her first Grand Slam singles final.

Zvonareva, the No.21 seed at SW19, will play defending champion Serena Williams in the final on Saturday after the American overcame Petra Kvitova in straight sets in Thursday’s second semi-final.

Despite dropping the first set to an inspired Pironkova, the World No.25 settled and sealed a 3-6 6-3 6-2 victory.

Following her win, the Russian 25-year-old described her achievement as a “dream”.

“I’m very excited, I’m not realising it at the moment,” Zvonareva said after the match. “It’s one of my dreams to be out there (in the final).

“It was very tough out there, she’s a tough opponent and I’m happy with the way I hung in the match and was able to turn it around.”

Serena Williams then sealed a 7-6 6-2 victory over the unseeded Petra Kvitova on Centre Court as the American continues her search for a fourth title at the All England Club.

Elsewhere, Britain’s Laura Robson and Oliver Golding reached the semi-finals of their respective junior singles events. Golding, the British No.1 junior, overcame Argentina’s Renzo Olivo 4-6 6-4 6-4, and Robson beat fellow Briton Tara Moore 7-5 6-1.