THIS year’s Wimbledon will feature a re-run of one of the event’s classic finals after all. Two years ago, when Serena Williams avenged her defeat to Angelique Kerber in that year’s Australian Open final with a breathless 7-5, 6-3 win to land the Venus Rosewater dish, it seemed like a meeting of equals, a rivalry which would define women’s tennis for years to come.

And then, just as it get was getting started, it disappeared. Kerber started 2017 as No 1 in the world but a fourth-round defeat to Coco Vandeweghe in Melbourne was merely the first setback of a dismal year. Serena Williams took that title but her priority for the remainder of the season was adding to her family rather than her trophy cabinet.

Neither of these players are getting any younger, but the summer of 2018 has witnessed a revival of this rivalry. No little thanks for that must go to Wim Fisette, the former coach of Kim Clijsters and Jo Konta, who has been a key part of #TeamAngie since last December. If the left hander’s USP as a tennis player is her athleticism and determination, to succeed this afternoon on Centre Court she will need to make Serena do the running.

“I cannot compare this year with 2016 or ‘17,” said Kerber, who has dropped just one set en route to the final. “I’m really proud to being back in the Wimbledon final after especially last year where things weren’t like I was expecting. To be here again, that was a goal of mine when I started this year, to play good in majors, in the Grand Slams, and to reach the finals again. There’s still one more match to go. But it’s a great feeling.”

For all her good work that day in 2016, the excellence of Serena’s display limited her to one real chance, a solitary break point which arrived at 3-3 in the second set. It is a match this 30-year-old of Polish extraction from Bremen has watched many times. She will hope to learn the lessons if she is to become the first German winner of this title since her idol Steffi Graf.

“I have watched back parts of the final when I played against Serena,” recalled Kerber. “For me it was a really big match. I mean, she won it. But for me I was not the one who lose the match, she won it. It was for me a very big experience to playing here on the court against Serena. That match will be always in my mind because no tournament can provide the same feeling as Wimbledon, especially on the final day.

“Serena is a champion for sure, one of the best players in the world. I mean, we had so many great matches in the last years. To seeing her back, it’s great. She is always pushing you to the limits to play your best tennis. This is the only chance to beat her.”

This has been a tournament for the thirtysomethings and Kerber feels her hinterland only makes her more dangerous. “With 2016, all the success, 2017 with a few up and downs, to coming back this year, I think I learned so many things also about me, about how I am,” she said. “It all took me where I am right now, to know what is really important in the life and what you have to be focusing on.

“I changed a few things in my team around,” she added. “I did a good pre-season. With Wim, with fitness coaches, some physios, my whole team, I think they helped me to come back, to really believe in me again. We tried to improve my game every single practice. It’s a process.”

Where Beyonce and Jay-Z watched that 2016 final today Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, will make her Royal Box debut. Kerber will not be fazed. “Of course it is always an honor to be playing on Centre Court with the Royal Box, all the guests sitting there. I’m trying when I’m on court to not look there. I’m trying to focus on my team and my box, trying focus on the tennis. But I know it will be full house. The atmosphere will be amazing. I’m looking forward to have the feeling again.”