WIMBLEDON’S NEWEST CHAMPION
Muguruza takes Wimbledon title:
G ARBINE Muguruza won a battle of the generations by thrashing Venus Williams to secure her first Wimbledon title.
Williams, 37, was bidding to become the oldest female grand slam singles winner in the open era but Muguruza, 14 years her junior, delivered an emphatic 7-5 6-0 victory.
It is Muguruza’s second major title, adding to the French Open crown she won last year, and makes her the first Spanish woman to win the singles here since her coach Conchita Martinez in 1994.
Muguruza denied Williams a first major title for nine years, which would have made her the oldest female Grand Slam champion in the Open era.
“I had the hardest match today against Venus,” said Muguruza.
“She’s such an incredible player. I grew up watching her play – sorry,” she added, to the watching American.
“I feel incredible to be able to play her here. Of course I’m nervous because I always dreamed about winning it, but I was composed.”
A close contest was forecast, and for 40 minutes it proved impossible to separate the two finalists as their impressive serves dominated.
Williams had her chance to take control but failed to convert two set points at 5-4, and her challenge faded dramatically as the last nine games went to Muguruza.
Williams had opened the match with an ace, and Muguruza with a double fault, and it was the American who held a narrow edge as the first set unfolded.
A first break point disappeared into the net at 3-2 before Muguruza missed her chance with a wayward forehand return in the following game.
When the Spaniard’s first serve momentarily let her down it presented Williams with two set points, but she succumbed in a gripping 20-stroke rally, and then sent a return long.
The American’s forehand then completely deserted her, four errors in a row helping Muguruza to finally clinch the first break at 6-5, and a brilliant backhand lob helped the Spaniard secure the set.
It felt like the first blow in a lengthy encounter, but instead the final was over just 25 minutes later.
Williams double faulted to drop serve at the start of the second set and, moving sluggishly, steered a volley into the tramlines to go 3-0 down.
While the former champion faded, Muguruza accelerated towards the finish line, breaking for a fourth time in succession and powering to three match points on serve.
The first two slipped by but not the third, which required the confirmation of Hawk-Eye before Muguruza was able to drop to the turf in celebration.
Great Britain’s Gordon Reid and Alfie Hewett landed the Wimbledon wheelchair men’s doubles title in thrilling fashion. A 6-7 (5/7) 7-5 7-6 (7/3) victory over the French pair of Stephane Houdet and Nicolas Peifer saw Reid and Hewett retain their title. Victory was secured when Peifer netted with a forehand, sparking euphoric celebrations on Court Three.