Day 12 commentary

A detailed look back at the 12th day of this year's Wimbledon.

2045 That's a long day over. Tomorrow it's the men's singles final between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. It could be another classic. However, I hate to tell you the weather forecast is awful with some predicting a complete washout. That would mean a Monday finish. Let's hope for the best. In the meantime, if you have any views on that clash let us know by emailing andy.schooler@bskyb.com. We'll get your views on site ahead of the clash. See you tomorrow.

2043 A surprise for the crowd - and something that will please Anthony who emailed earlier. Laura Robson is presented with her girls' singles prize for the second time today - this time from the Duke of Kent.

2040 The sisters collect their trophies in the Royal Box to a great ovation from those fans who have stayed behind.

2037 What a fitting end to the day! Venus, serving at match point, gets the rally going and then hoists a lob which lands plum on the baseline. The Williams sisters win 6-2 6-2 in 59 minutes to claim the title for the third time. What a day for Venus - for those who hadn't heard she beat Serena earlier in the singles final.

2034 Now Stosur's serve gets the treatment and Venus will serve for the title at 5-2. The Williamses have dominated this match - it's so difficult to get the ball past them.

2030 Williams and Williams grab the first break of the second set against Raymond's delivery. Serena backs it up with a superb love hold and it's 4-2.

2008 The Williams sisters take the first set 6-2. Venus has to save two break points, but she does so and the siblings are bang on course for another title.

2002 Raymond's serve is broken again and Venus and Serena are in full control at 5-2.

1945 An early break for the Williamses. They pounce on Raymond's serve to take a 2-1 lead. They've yet to drop a set in the doubles, with the most games lost in one match being just seven. If they win today it will be their third doubles title in SW19.

1937 It's a late start but the ladies' doubles final is now under way. Stosur to serve first.

1925 Now we await the Williams sisters - can Venus make it two titles in one day? They will be up against Lisa Raymond and Samantha Stosur in the ladies' doubles final.

1917 It's over - Nestor and Zimonjic are the champions! Ullyett cracks on serve again, the Serb ripping a backhand return crosscourt to take the first match point offered. 7-6 6-7 6-3 6-3 is the final score. Bjorkman is denied the perfect end to his Wimbledon career, but for Nestor victory means he has now won all four Grand Slam doubles titles.

1905 Nestor and Zimonjic break serve again and they appear to be on their way to the title. It's 3-2 to them now in the fourth set. They lead two sets to one too. Ullyett is the man broken there to 15.

1902 That email prompts me to remind anyone just logging on that Robson won earlier, and so did Venus Williams. She beat sister Serena 7-5 6-4 in the ladies' final.

1900 Anthony Hand emails to congratulate British girls' singles winner Laura Robson. "How terrific that Laura Robson won the junior Wimbledon championship. It is good to have a British champion at last after years of disappointment in the adult ranks. But where oh where was the Duke of Kent? Why did he not present the trophy to Laura Robson? Surely he and the Wimbledon hierachy have missed a golden opportunity to give English tennis a well-rewarded boost."

1844 Nestor and Zimonjic face their first break point of the match as they serve for the third set. However, Nestor holds firm and then serves out. They take the set 6-3 and lead by two sets to one.

1828 The first break of the match arrives afer almost two hours' play. Bjorkman is the man to crack - a fine return from Zimonjic back at the server forcing him into an error. The ball sails long and Nestor and Zimonjic lead 3-1 in the third set. It's best of five here.

1815 Bjorkman and Ullyett level the match. They race into a 5-2 lead with two mini-breaks and despite their opponents getting one back, the Swedish-Zimbabwe pairing take the breaker 7-3. One set all.

1809 It's another tie-break in the men's doubles final. Still no breaks!

1753 Still no breaks in the men's doubles final. Bjorkman staved off break points earlier in this second set, but it's now 3-3.

1743 Robson says she is hoping to play in the main draw next year as a wild card. That's what happened with Urszula Radwanska, last year's winner. She describes the match today as "an overwhelming experience", adding she felt she was going to be sick such was the size of the crowd. Asked what it would be like to play Venus Williams is the main draw next year, Robson vows: "I'll take her down!" Positive mental attitude indeed.

1738 Meanwhile, over on Centre Nestor and Zimonjic have taken an epic first-set tie-break 14-12.

1737 Robson receives the trophy from former Wimbledon champion Ann Jones. She'll enjoy the moment but now the expectation levels will rise immediately. The eyes of the tennis world will be on her now. Andy Murray won the US Open juniors at 16 - Robson is two years younger! The eyes of the British tennis world will be on her now.

1735 We just might have witnessed the birth of a star over the past week. Robson becomes the first British winner of the junior title here since Annabel Croft in 1984. Fingers crossed she can push on and produce the goods in the senior ranks. But given she's only 14 there's still plenty of time for that.

1734 Laura Robson is the girls' singles champion! A big first serve can't be returned by the Thai and the Briton is a 6-3 3-6 6-1 winner.

1733 A double fault on the first brings a wry smile from Robson.

1732 Three match points for the Briton!

1731 Lertcheewakarn sends a shot into the tramlines to give Robson a 5-1 lead! She can't lose from here can she?

1725 This time Robson holds serve. She staves off a break point with a cracking cross-court forehand. She now leads 4-1 in the final set.

1722 Over on Centre the men's doubles is into a tie-break after a serve-dominated first set. A real contrast to the action on Court One.

1720 Robson gets stuck into the Thai's serve once again. Another break, this time to 15. These breaks of serve are understandable - of course the girls don't have the power of their elders.

1717 Again Robson can't convert her break and her opponent gets back on serve.

1713 A good start to the decider for Robson. An early break sees her lead 2-0. She seems to have the knack of focusing early in a set. But she could really do with backing it up - something she failed to do in the second set.

1705 In the men's doubles final it's 4-4 in the first set. No breaks of serve yet.

1704 Robson nets with her forehand and from a set and a break up, the Briton is into a deciding set.

1659 Not good news for Robson. She's just dropped serve again - the third time in four service games - and Lertcheewakarn will serve to level the match at 5-3.

1653 The answer is no. Again the Thai hits straight back. Robson fought back from 15-40 down but concedes the game after several deuces. 3-3.

1645 Robson is back in front. The left-hander breaks serve again to open a 3-2 lead. Can she convert her break now and take full control?

1641 Over on Centre, the men's doubles final has just got under way.

1639 Robson has just dropped her serve to hand back that early break. Lertcheewakarn now leads 2-1 in the second set.

1637 If you're wondering about Miss Robson, here's a bit of a lowdown. She was born in Australia - don't despair just yet - but moved here as a child and now lives close to the All England Club in south-west London. To hear her talk you wouldn't know her Australian link. Yesterday, Carl Maes, head of women's tennis at the Lawn Tennis Association, compared her to former world number one Kim Clijsters. Maes should know, he coached Clijsters from a young age. "She plays at the same level (as Clijsters did) and on grass, perhaps even a bit better. But that's no guarantee that she'll take the same path. We'll have to see how she copes." If she wins here, the expectation will intensify once more. Jo Durie was Great Britain's last female player of note.

1633 Robson strikes again, breaking the Thai in the opening game of the second set. She's just 14 remember and has been up against under-18s this week.

1629 Few nerves from Robson there as she serves out to take the first set 6-3. One more set and she'll become the first British winner of the girls' singles in SW19 since Annabel Croft in 1984.

1627 Fell free to email your views on that ladies' final - how good is Venus? And how many more titles can she win here. She's now 28, so is there much left in the tank. She did look pretty good today. Email your thoughts to me - andy.schooler@bskyb.com - and I'll publish some of them.

1625 Robson breaks for a 5-3 lead! She'll now serve for the first set.

1616 There's plenty of action still to come at the All England Club. Over on Court One, Laura Robson is 3-2 up in the girls' singles final. It's on serve. Meanwhile, Centre Court awaits the men's doubles final - it's Jonas Bjorkman and Kevin Ullyett v Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic. Then later the Williams sisters are due back for the ladies' doubles final against Lisa Raymond and Samantha Stosur. We'll keep you posted.

1611 Venus on the mic now. "She played so awesome - it really was a task to beat her." Asked about becoming a Wimbledon great with five titles, she adds: "It's unbelievable, especially after some of the injuries I've had to go through."

1608 Serena tells the crowd: "Venus played a little better today. It didn't work out the way I played." She says she's happy it was her sister who beat her though.

1606 Venus gets her hands on the famous trophy - aptly named the Venus Rosewater Dish. Can she make it three in a row next year? Send me your thoughts to andy.schooler@bskyb.com

1604 Surely now Venus has to go down as a true Wimbledon great. Five singles titles mean shes now just one behind the legendary Billie Jean King, although Martina Navratilova's nine is still some way off. She played very well today. Serena made a blistering start but in a way that was her undoing - she could only get worse after that. When her level did drop, Venus took full advantage. A key stat today was the break points converted. Both players won 42 per cent of points on return, but Venus converted four of seven break chances; Serena just two of 13.

1602 Venus is the champion for a fifth time! Serena has early control of the point but Venus gets herself back into it and Serena sends a backhand into the tramlines. Venus wins 7-5 6-4.

1601 An ace out wide - superb pressure tennis from Serena - saves the first.

1600 Two championship points. Venus races forward to get to a Serena slice and she puts away the winner. 15-40.

1559 Trouble for Serena as two forehand errors see her fall 15-30 behind.

1558 Robson is about to get things under way against Lertcheewakarn. We'll keep you posted.

1555 Serena can only laugh as the wind causes her more problems. Then some fabulous hitting from both players - particularly Venus - produces one of the best rallies of the match. Venus takes it and then slams down another fearsome serve to move to within one game of the title. 5-4.

1552 Serena is angry with herself after hitting a backhand straight back to her opponent but an ace is followed by another big serve to move the score on to 4-4.

1548 A love hold for Venus moves her 4-3 ahead and to within two games of the title. Serving first in this set is really helping Venus heap pressure on Serena. She must hold again here.

1547 Laura Robson will be on court for her girls' singles final very shortly. The Briton is up against Noppawan Lertcheewakarn, of Thailand.

1545 Serena holds on and she gets the scoreline level again at 3-3. That was a vital hold for the younger sibling.

1544 A big serve is delivered just when she needs it. Venus can't return that wide serve and it's back to deuce.

1543 Serena roars 'come on' as she levels at 30-30 but then sends a backhand long. Break point Venus for a 4-2 lead.

1542 Not a good start to the game for Serena. he sends a forehand long - the shot that was working so well in the early stages. Then a backhand is netted for 0-30.

1541 A big serve from Venus finishes off the fifth game. She holds for 3-2. Serena will be regretting failing to convert her break. She really needs a solid service game here as Venus isn't far away from the title right now.

1536 And the chance is taken, Serena being forced back in the rally and then miscuing from way back. In contrast to Serena's struggles on break points, Venus has won three out of four now. 2-2.

1535 A Venus backhand forces a volleying error from her sister and it's 30-40 - an opportunity to break back immediately.

1532 Disappointing news for British fans from Court Two where Curtis and Rae have lost their girls' doubles semi-final to Hercog and Moore 4-6 6-3 6-4. For those waiting for news about girls' singles finalist Laura Robson, she's yet to start. That match should be on soon though on Court One where a veterans' doubles is nearing a conclusion.

1530 Another slip from Venus and this one is vital. Again Serena is left with an easy put away and she has finally won a break point. That game took 14 minutes! 2-1 Serena with a break in this second set. First set Venus.

1529 Venus slips on the baseline, so Serena is left with a simple volley to move once more to break point.

1528 Again Venus sends a shot out and it's a sixth break point of the game. Serena comes forward to a short ball but sends her backhand into the tape. Deuce again.

1527 A second-serve ace gives Venus another game point, but she then goes wide. What an epic!

1526 Game point is saved with a crunching forehand off a weak second serve. Boy, how she would have loved that on one of the break points. You sense this is a big game in terms of the match.

1525 Serena shrieks as she sends a forehand wide. Is she getting frustrated?

1524 Serena stretches for a backhand volley and gets a bit of luck from the net cord. However, the break point is saved again - this time with an ace. Great serving.

1523 This time Serena goes just long, off return, and again the chance slips by.

1522 Serena has a 10th break point of the match - Venus just hit the tape.

1521 Again, solid stuff from Venus when needed. A big serve is followed by a backhand winner. Back to deuce. She's now saved eight of nine break points.

1520 Venus goes just long. Venus challenges and the computer shows the shot was also wide! Break point again.

1519 Serena just misses with a shot deep into the corner - too deep as it turns out. Then the second is saved after some brutal hitting from both. It ends with Venus coming forward to slap away a forehand. Deuce.

1518 A netted forehand means trouble for Venus. It's 15-40 and she's facing two break points.

1516 Serena holds comfortably to 15. She needed that after a shaky last 20 minutes or so. 1-1 in the second set now.

1513 After a lengthy battle, Venus takes the game, clinching it with a 129mph ace! That's the hardest ever serve in a main WTA Tour event. Only Brenda Schultz-McCarthy has had a serve recorded faster - and that was in a qualifying match.

1510 Venus then pushes a shot inches wide and it's break point. However, a big serve, big forehand play from Venus saves it.

1508 Venus recovers from 0-30 in the opening game of the second set but Serena forces deuce with a cracking backhand.

1507 Worring for Serena are the stats on her second serve - she has won just one of nine points when it's been required. Fortunately for her she's had a first-serve percentage of 74. However, despite that she's a set down and so if that level drops you'd expect Venus to win quite comfortably.

1505 Serena started that set superbly but her level has dropped. She had a point for a double break but Venus dug in and was able to hit back. She's now in control and Serena has it all to do. Any thoughts? Can Serena hit back? Let me know: andy.schooler@bskyb.com

1504 Serena dumps a backhand into the net and throws her racquet to the ground in frustration. Venus has come from 2-4 down to win the set 7-5 in 54 minutes.

1503 A big backhand from Venus forces the error from Serena and it's set point at 30-40.

1502 More problems for Serena at 0-30. A big serve wins the next point and then a vital volley brings it back to 30-30.

1500 More problems with the ball toss for Venus but they don't affect her. She holds to 15. Given the conditions, the quality of the tennis so far has been very high.

1455 Aces two and three of the game move her to 40-30 and then Venus fires backhand wide. Serena was two points from losing the set but it's now 5-5. Good serving under pressure from Serena.

1454 A couple of forehand errors from Serena see her fall 15-30 down.

1452 Over on Court Two, Hercog and Moore have taken the second set 6-3 against the British youngsters Curtis and Rae. That girls' doubles semi is into a deciding set.

1450 A lengthy game ends with some sisterly agreement. Serena is happy for Venus to take the game point which was initially disputed. Venus edges in front for the first time at 5-4. The pressure is now on Serena.

1448 Venus goes wide and it's another break point. Again the older sister stands firm. A deep ball proving too much for Serena to deal with.

1447 Serena is angry at a disappointing volley which allows Venus to come forward and whip a pass down the line. Back to deuce.

1446 Venus misses an easy forehand close to the net but recovers with a blistering forehand off a mid-court ball. However, Serena then lashes a brilliant forehand return crosscourt to bring up break point.

1442 Some great defence from Serena is to no avail - Venus earns a second chance to break. And it's taken. A fine return forces a backhand long from the younger sibling. We're level at 4-4 and Venus is into her stride now.

1441 A wide backhand from Serena brings up Venus' first break point. But a huge first serve sets up an easy put away. Deuce.

1438 A quick look at the stats shows Serena has won every point when her first serve goes in. It's just 60 per cent when Venus' goes in. That's sums things up so far.

1437 Another super forehand from Serena gets the seventh game started but Venus fights back to hold. I'ts now 4-3 Serena who is still holding on to that early break.

1432 A successful Hawk-eye challenge helps Serena into a 40-0 lead before Venus gets back to 40-30. But Serena then blasts another forehand winner. 4-2.

1429 Aided by a net cord - the ball dropped dead - Venus wins the next two points to earn a crucial hold. 3-2 Serena.

1428 A superb volley saves the break point as Serena goes for a backhand pass. That's what I was talking about a minute ago. Deuce.

1427 Venus' turn to fall down 15-30 - another double fault doesn't help - then a crunching backhand return brings up break point.

1424 Both players have been struggling with the ball toss in the early stages - it's pretty blustery out there today. However, Serena gets things right with two aces in the fourth game, holding from 15-30. 3-1 she leads.

1420 Over on Court Two, Curtis and Rae have taken the first set of that girls' doubles semi, 6-4 the score.

1419 A first double fault sees Venus slip to 0-30 but she recovers well with a couple of good volleys to hold. She's the better volleyer of the two for me, so Venus will do well to come to the net now and again. 2-1 Serena.

1415 Another superb forehand winner from Serena is followed by a well-read volley in her opening service game. She holds to love with a big backhand down the line. It's been a brilliant start from Serena with that forehand in particular firing.

1412 Another forehand winner takes Serena to 0-40. One break point is saved with a big first serve but then Serena rips a backhand crosscourt to break. 1-0 Serena and a great start for the younger sister.

1411 Serena drills a forehand winner down the line on the first point. Notably it was a second serve from Venus. Both players will need a high first-serve percentage today.

1410 It's Venus to serve first.

1408 "Serena is stronger, Serena wins - she will carry the day." That's the view of Abbey, who has emailed in. We are about to find out if you are right. Any further views to andy.schooler@bskyb.com

1402 As the players begin their warm up, the news from Court Two is that the Britons, Curtis and Rae, are 4-3 up with a break in the first set of their girls' doubles semi-final.

1400 Holding their bouquets of flowers, the two sisters walk out on to Centre Court. There's blue sky overhead and the forecasters are confident there will be no rain interruptions in this match.

1358 The players have just faced their pre-match questions on TV. Little was said - as per usual - with both looking pretty tense. If I had to give a verdict, Id' say Venus looked slightly more relaxed.

1354 James Brown emails and is backing Venus today. "Andy, I'm afraid you have got it wrong with the outcome. Yes, stats are a great way to sometimes determine the outcome of a major sporting event such as this Wimbledon final, but that's where it ends this year I'm afraid. Venus is winning this final and all the stats in the world won't stop that happening." James has also challenged me to a wager - he wants tickets to tomorrow's final. Well, they are in short supply I'm afraid James! And any way, although I've gone with Serena - I couldn't sit on the fence could I? - it really could be either sister. There's very little to separate them.

1347 Talking of brass bands, time for me to blow my own trumpet. My pre-tournament betting preview of the ladies' singles has already collected. A Williams sister to win was my recommendation at 15/8. Was there really ever a doubt? Hope you got on!

1338 The traditional brass band is currently blasting out a version of Queen's 'We Are The Champions' on Centre Court. But who will emerge as the champion for 2008? Venus or Serena? Let us know your thoughts: andy.schooler@bskyb.com

1335 There's some more British interest over on Court Two today, too. Jade Curtis and Jocelyn Rae have reached the girls' doubles semis and have just started against Polona Hercog and Jessica Moore. We'll keep you posted.

1330 That's the order of play for Centre, but we'll also be keeping an eye on Court One where there could be some rare British success. Laura Robson is in the girls' singles final. She's just 14 in an event for under-18s. There's sure to be a big crowd cheering her on against the third seed Noppawan Lertcheewakarn, of Thailand. That final is second on court, after a veterans' match.

1325 A reminder of the other action taking place today. After the ladies' singles final we have the men's doubles final. That sees Swedish veteran Jonas Bjorkman play his last ever match at Wimbledon, alongside partner Kevin Ullyett. They face a tough task against the second seeds, Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic. However, having already put out the top seeds, the Bryan twins, it might just be a dream finish for Bjorkman in SW19. After that match, the Williams sisters will return to Centre Court for the ladies' doubles final. They have already won that title in 2000 and 2002 - Venus winning the singles and doubles in 2000 and Serena doing the same two years later. They bid for a third victory against Lisa Raymond and Samantha Stosur.

1315 What about the head-to-head record? Well, Serena leads 8-7. They've only met once since 2005 and Serena edged that clash in Bangalore earlier this year, winning a final-set tie-break. She's also won both of the pair's previous finals here - in 2002 and 2003 - and on grass the overall record is 2-1 Serena. There's been plenty of talk about the outcome - people speaking about family decisions being made - but it's hard to believe that's anything near the truth. It must be difficult for the pair to play each other, particularly given how close they are. For those of you who don't know, much of this conspiracy theory began in 2001 when Venus withdrew from amatch they were due to play in Indian Wells, shortly before it was due to start. The tournament organisers weren't happy and expressed their disappointment. The sisters have never played the event since, despite it being one of the biggest on the tour.

1310 So let's look ahead to this ladies' singles final. Serena v Venus isn't everyone's idea of a dream final, but I don't think there's any doubt they deserve to be in this final. Both have played some good stuff and as usual have got better as the tournament has progressed. Serena battered Agnieszka Radwanska in the last eight and then saw off Zheng Jie in the semis, despite a bit of a struggle in the second set. Venus served very well against Elena Dementieva in her semi and that will be a key shot today. However, Serena's serve has been far from shabby. Another key factor for me could be Serena's competitive spirit. In my book she's the most determined player on the WTA Tour once she takes to the court. I'm going with Serena - the slight favourite with the bookies - in three sets. Do you agree? Let me know your views: andy.schooler@bskyb.com

1240 Welcome to today's coverage. First things first and I can tell you that the weather is fine at the moment with play already under way on the outsider courts - there's some junior doubles, seniors matches and wheelchair action currently on-going. The forecast was for showers to clear and so we're hopeful of an uninterrupted afternoon. Of course, the main action today is the ladies' singles final between Venus Williams and sister Serena. That's due to start on Centre Court at 1400. That match will be followed by the men's doubles final before the Williamses return for the ladies' doubles final. Stay logged on for a preview of the matches.