Kvitova crushes Maria for SW19 crown

 

Originally published on: 02/07/11 15:58

Petra Kvitova clinched the Venus Rosewater dish after recording an emphatic straight sets win over Maria Sharapova in the Wimbledon final. 

The world No.8 blasted past the 2004 champion to win the biggest title in tennis on Saturday afternoon with a stunning 6-3 6-4 triumph.  

Playing in front of fellow Czech-born Wimbledon titlists Jana Novotna and Martina Navratilova, Kvitova proved far from overawed by the occasion.

Though both finalists nervously exchanged breaks on each of their opening service games, Kvitova settled the faster, breaking again for a 4-2 advantage when the Russian double faulted at 30-40 in the sixth game.  

Sharapova’s strife on serve proved to be a constant theme and she had to fight hard to hold for 3-5, before the first-time Grand Slam finalist dug in and served out the opening set in 40 minutes.  

Kvitova broke immediately in the second, and though the 2004 champ hit straight back, the 21-year-old continued to blast her characteristically heavy returns to force two more breaks – albeit surrendering one – in succession before holding for a 5-3 lead.  

The Czech appeared to sense she was just a game from winning the prestigious title as Sharapova held to love, but just when she was expected to bow under the weight of pressure, Kvitova made the crucial game look easy. She raced into a 40-love lead, before sinking to her knees after sealing the title with a thumping ace down the T.

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