Wimbledon - Double joy for Serena Williams after she draws level with legendary Steffi Graf

MOMENT OF TRIUMPH: Serena Williams celebrates beating Angelique Kerber in the ladies singles final . Picture: Andy Rain/PAinformation.

SERENA WILLIAMS breathed a sigh of relief after beating Angelique Kerber at Wimbledon to claim a record-equalling 22nd grand slam title.

Williams had been chasing Steffi Graf’s milestone since she won her 21st major tournament here last year but surprise defeats at the US, Australian and French Opens prolonged the American’s pursuit.

The wait came to an end on Centre Court, however, as Williams edged a thrilling final 7-5 6-3 against Kerber to tie Graf at the top of the Open-era list and clinch her seventh Wimbledon crown.

The day got even better when Williams returned to Centre Court to win her second title of the day as she and sister Venus triumphed in the doubles final.

Serena Williams smashes a backhand pass down the line against Angelique Kerber on Saturday. Picture: Andy Rain/PA.

“It’s obviously a great relief,” Williams said. “I’ve definitely had some sleepless nights, if I’m just honest, with a lot of stuff.

“Coming so close. Feeling it, not being able to quite get there. My goal is always to win at least a slam a year. It was getting down to the pressure.”

Williams was denied a calendar grand slam in Flushing Meadows by little-known Italian Roberta Vinci before slipping up to Kerber in Melbourne and then Garbine Muguruza in Paris.

It meant the world No 1 arrived at the All England Club on the back of three successive disappointments, and with questions to answer about her conviction and self-belief.

Serena Williams during her match against Angelique Kerber. Picture: Adam Davy/PA

“I’ve just felt a lot of pressure, I guess. I put a lot of that pressure on myself,” Williams said.

“Obviously I had some really tough losses but if you look at the big picture, I was just thinking about getting to three finals, grand slam finals.

“I had to start looking at positives, not focusing on that one loss per tournament which really isn’t bad and for anyone else on this tour they would be completely happy about it.