Angelique Kerber is determined that she rather than Serena Williams will emulate Steffi Graf in Saturday's Wimbledon final.
German great Graf won Wimbledon seven times and landed an open era record of 22 grand slam singles titles, and American superstar Williams would match both tallies should she triumph.
But Kerber's inspiration is to achieve what no German woman has managed since Graf last lifted the Venus Rosewater Dish in 1996, and to get her own name on the women's singles champions' board at the All England Club.
After ending the prospect of a first all-Williams Wimbledon final since 2009 by sinking the hopes of 36-year-old Venus Williams, Australian Open champion Kerber turned her focus towards beating Serena in a grand slam final for the second time in six months.
Kerber's 6-4 6-4 victory over the five-time champion came in an hour and 13 minutes, but if that was a quick match it paled against the 49 minutes that Serena needed to sail past Elena Vesnina.
Before she dashed off to watch Germany's Euro 2016 match against France, Kerber paused to reveal the inspiration she took from seeing her countrywoman dominate the women's game.
"I watched a lot of her Wimbledon finals," Kerber said. "I know that it's 20 years ago that she won here the last time. Of course, I will try to be the next one to win here after Steffi."
Graf won her maiden Wimbledon in 1988, six months after Kerber was born. Much of Kerber's knowledge of Graf's feats has necessarily come through watching and re-watching her great moments on film.
"She was always an idol for me. I always watched a lot of her matches, also on YouTube sometimes," Kerber said.
"I've met a her few times. She's a great person. When you hit with her, she's still playing really well. When you talk with her, it's always a great honour."
Kerber's unexpected triumph over Serena Williams in the Melbourne Park final in January gave a player who had flirted with the upper reaches of the game renewed confidence in her ability.
Results have been mixed since then, including a first-round French Open loss to Kiki Bertens, but the 28-year-old has gathered momentum in her Wimbledon run.
She feels ready to take on defending champion Serena, who while staking a claim to be the greatest player of all time has also lost two slam finals this year. After falling to Kerber in Australia, Garbine Muguruza took the 34-year-old world number one's scalp at Roland Garros.
"I will go out there with a lot of confidence," Kerber said. "She lost the (Australian) final against me, and I know she will go out and try everything to beat me right now.
"I will just try to go out there like in Australia, trying to show her I'm here to win the match as well. I know that I have to play my best tennis to beat her in the final here."
