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As Petra Kvitova sank to her knees after hitting a beautifully timed ace right down the middle, the Wimbledon crowd rose as one to congratulate a new champion. In a stunning display of power tennis, Petra Kvitova out hit and out served former champion Maria Sharapova in straight sets 6-3, 6-4. In a final that was far more intriguing than the scoreline suggests, Kvitova checked all the boxes in a fantastic display of physical game and mental resolve. The Czech quelled all challenges that Maria Sharapova brought to her in a scintillating, nerveless display. She kept the former champion at bay all match never allowing Sharapova to sink her teeth into the contest. The win meant Petra Kvitova became the first left-hander since her idol Martina Navratilova to win Wimbledon. In what was undoubtedly a nice touch for the 21 year old was the presence of Martina to cheer for her in victory.

In a match where both players found it tough to make that decisive break and run away with the match, two moments probably were key to this match more than any other. The first came in the opening set when Sharapova’s service blips came to the fore as she served two double faults at 30-30 to give Kvitova the break that eventually was all she needed for the first set. The second came in the proverbial 7^th game of the second set when Kvitova put all the mishits she had hit in the previous game behind her to break Sharapova by outlasting the Russian. Kvitova excelled in not allowing nerves to get the better of her and the quality of her game and pace of her shots put Sharapova off hers just enough to never really be threatened in her title romp.

Sharapova was disappointed but showed maturity in addressing the crowd and was gracious in defeat. Kvitova was obviously pleased and smiled right through the oncourt interview with Sue Barker. She even had time to joke about this obviously being her best ever match and thanked her coach and family for their support. She endeared herself to everyone after the match with the innocent pleasure she showed at seeing her name on the honours board.

Earlier Sharapova won the toss and chose to receive. She probably did this for two reasons – to give herself an extra game to warmup before serving and also perhaps take advantage of any early nerves in Kvitova’s game. It worked out just the way she planned it breaking Kvitova in the very first game but her own serve was not warmed up enough and she lost serve herself to keep honours even after the first salvo.

The match then settled down into the hard hitting exchange of probing shots that we expected at the start. Kvitova was really forcing the pace making every effort to dominate behind her superb serve with powerful, well placed strokes. Sharapova though was counterpunching with characteristic gutsiness as she threw everything into staying with her younger opponent. She took her time to get her own serve going though and the aggressive returns of Kvitova kept the pressure on the Sharapova serve. The pressure and her penchant for serving ill-timed double faults, eventually told as Sharapova dropped her serve in the 6^th game with a brace of double faults. That game just released Kvitova as she began to showcase her flowing game. She held serve in a trice, pushed Sharapova to multiple deuces on her serve and even held a set point. Sharapova chose this moment for her first ace smack down the middle as she upped the intensity to hold. Kvitova then displayed no nerves as with some intelligent serving she closed out the first set 6-3 in 40 minutes.

The second set started off exactly where the first set left off. Sharapova hit her fifth double fault at a bad time at 30-30 in the first game of the second set. Kvitova has a hint of Nadal about her in the way she deals with the big points. Much like the Spaniard she makes an extra effort to win the big points rather than wait for the opponent to make the error. And with the chance to get a strangle hold on the match, she hit a forehand that caught the absolute corner leaving Maria flat footed. She consolidated that break to go up 2-0 before Maria showing the fight so ingrained in her psyche and broke back in the 4^th game with a delightful instinctive lob over an advancing Kvitova to level the set at 2-2.

There are two distinct sides to Kvitova’s game and she showed both in the following two games. First she unleashed two rifle like forehand returns at deuce to break Sharapova right back to restore her advantage 3-2. She then returned the favour by rather overenthusiastically whacking a couple sitters wide to restore parity. In the seventh game though Kvitova made what was to be the decisive move as she put the mishits behind her took control of her nerves and broke Sharapova once more to gain the advantage.Both players then held serve to give Kvitova the chance to serve out the match at 5-4. She did so in stunning fashion holding to love with an ace down the middle to win the set and match in decisive fashion.

Kvitova had her best payday today pocketing a cool £1.1million, a just reward for the precision, power and variety she brought to the table today and through this tournament. The scary thing for the rest of the tour is that she can only get better. She has the serve, the groundstrokes, shows good hands at the net and crucially the composure in the big moments. With the work she has done on her mobility and consistency there is considerable upside for this Czech girl. For Maria, its her first final since 2008 in Australia and a welcome return since going under the surgeon’s knife. There are still some things to work on, but in one so innately determined and disciplined there is good reason to believe that she will find a way back to the very top.

Final Score:

Petra Kvitova (CZE) def. Maria Sharapova (RUS) 6-3 6-4

File Photograph Copyright:·Richard Van Mellaerts