Garbine Muguruza wins first Wimbledon title with straight sets victory over Venus Williams in final

1/23

Garbine Muguruza won a maiden Wimbledon title after an emphatic victory over five-time champion Venus Williams under the roof on Centre Court.

Muguruza won 7-5 6-0, responding to facing two set points in opener to win nine games on the bounce, clinching the second set with a bagel as 37-year-old Williams surrendered in the face of the Spaniard's relentless and brilliant hitting.

The 23-year-old -- who lost to Williams' sister Serena in the final two years ago -- won in one hour and 17 minutes, dropping to her knees in tears when an incorrect challenge from Williams sealed her second Grand Slam title.

Muguruza, who won the French Open last year, said afterwards: "It was definitely the hardest match today. I grew up watching Venus play, so it's incredible to play the final. It feels incredible to play her here. Inside of course, I was nervous. I always dreamed to be here. I was composed I guess. [The first set was] very tough, we both had a lot of chances.

"Two years ago I lost to Serena and she told me one day I would win and here I am."

At 37, Williams was aiming to become the oldest women to win a Grand Slam in the Open Era and she suggested she was not finished yet, saying afterwards. "I miss you Serena. I tried to do the same things you do but I think they'll be other opportunities, I really do.

"Congratulations Garbine. Amazing. I know how hard you work and I'm sure it means so much to you and your family. Well done today, beautiful."

Williams had been imperious on serve in her semi-final win over Johanna Konta, conceding just two break points when blinded by the sun in the opening set. With the roof on, and the echoey pok-pok of rallies reverberating around Centre Court, there was no danger of a repeat – but the seven-time Grand Slam champion looked less assured than normal.

Wimbledon 2017 - In pictures

1/150

At 3-3, three double faults in one game, each followed by a call for the towel, helped Muguruza to a maiden break point, saved by the veteran.

Muguruza, her left thigh heavily strapped again, was playing in her first final since last year's Roland Garros but she showed few nerves in the early exchanges in front of watching King Juan Carlos of Spain. The Spaniard overcame a double fault on her opening serve to win her first four service games comfortably but, at 5-4 down and serving to stay in the set, Williams earned two break points when Muguruza netted.

PA

The Venezuelan-born player reacted like a champion, winning the next four points, including the longest rally of the match, to clinch a vital hold. Sensing a shift in momentum, Muguruza became the first player at the championship to break Williams in the next game, converting the second of two break points when Williams fired a forehand long at the end of another ferocious rally.

Muguruza then earned two set points of her own in dramatic fashion when a reaching backhand caught Wiliams in no man's land, dropping into the corner while the American floundered between the lines. Although Williams saved the first, Muguruza clinched the set when the shellshocked American netted. Muguruza stooped and clenched her fist in delight.

The Spaniard's ascendency continued into the second, as she immediately earned two break points. A stray backhand helped Williams to save the first but another double fault followed -- one of five in total for Williams.

AFP/Getty Images

Williams was suddenly looking jaded and sloppy and Muguruza, just as she had done in her 6-1 6-1 victory over Magdalena Rybarikova in the semi-final, offered no respite. More hard hard-hitting led to another break when Williams, trying to force her way back into the match, fired a volley long and a maiden Wimbledon title swam into view for the youngster.

From there, it was a procession. The Centre Court crowd tried in vain to boost Williams but there was no stopping the tide and a third, seamless break left Muguruza serving for the match. She raced into a 40-0 love lead and the final ended on a strange note, when Williams incorrectly challenged a long line call to give Muguruza the title.

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in