World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty downed Karolina Pliskova in three sets to win her maiden Wimbledon title and second Grand Slam crown.The Australian prevailed 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3 against world No. 13 Pliskova in just under two hours in the women’s singles final.
The 25-year-old made a flying start by winning the first 14 points of the match en route to racing to a 4-0 lead.
There were then three more breaks in the following three games, before Pliskova held for 3-5. Barty served the set out to love to hold off the Czech’s fightback.
The top seed made another strong start in the second set as she took a 3-1 lead, before Pliskova broke back for 3-3.
Four comfortable holds followed, until the eighth seed was broken from 40-0 up after losing five straight points.
Barty, though, faltered as she served for the championship – with Pliskova breaking back at 15 to take the set to a tiebreak.
The 29-year-old Czech won an amazing point – featuring a fortunate net cord and brilliant lob – to earn a crucial second mini-break and take a 5-2 tiebreak lead.
Pliskova closed the tiebreak out to send the contest into a deciding set.
Barty earned yet another early break in the third set as she surged to a 3-0 advantage, and she overcame nerves and saved a break point to serve out a memorable triumph.
The Australian is now a two-time major singles champion – having won the 2019 French Open.
