Petra Kvitova Wins Wimbledon Women’s Title

Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic defeated Maria Sharapova 6-3 6-4 to win Wimbledon, and take her first grand slam title.

Sharapova, the heavy favorite going into the match, wasn't able to get her service game going.  The big Russian double faulted six times, and Kvitova was able to use her powerful left hand to break Sharapova throughout the match.

Kvitova's service game was shaky too, but she used it to close out the match with flair -- striking her first ace of the day on triple match point.

Sharapova won Wimbledon in 2004, as a 17-year old, and her return to the final after seven years marked a revitalization of what had become an injury-plagued career.

However, it was Kvitova's surprisingly dominate performance Saturday that ended up putting Women's tennis on notice.

By taking Wimbledon, the 21-year old Kvitova  becomes the first Czech to win a grand slam since Jana Novotna in 1998.  She is also the first left-handed winner at Wimbledon since another Czech, Martina Navratilova, took the title in 1990.

Both Navratilova and Novotna cheered on Kvitova from the Royal Box.

[ESPN]