Petra Kvitova was a class apart when she crushed Eugenie Bouchard 6-3, 6-0 to claim a second Wimbledon title – three years after clinching her first one.
Kvitova, who was two points away from crashing out of Wimbledon against Venus Williams in the third round, became just the fourth woman since 1990 to win multiple singles titles at the All England Club.
“I had great tactics from my coach, he always knows how I have to play,” said a tearful Kvitova after the match. “I can’t say that it’s more special (than my first) but definitely after three years to stand with the trophy again is amazing.”
In the first ever slam final featuring two players born in the 1990s, it was ultimately experience that prevailed.
Bouchard, the first Canadian man or woman to ever reach a grand slam final, was bidding to become just the second No13 seed to ever win a major. The last No13 seed to win a slam was Maria Sharapova here at Wimbledon 10 years ago.
Kvitova had the stronger start, hitting some ultra aggressive shots to get her first break point in the third game. But Bouchard saved it with a deep backhand that forced a wide cross backhand from Kvitova.
The Czech quickly got another chance though and converted with a big cross court forehand winner. Bouchard was aggressive on return the following game, forcing deuce a couple of times but Kvitova consolidated the break with a sensational point showcasing some great touch from both before she sealed it with a great defensive passing shot.
The Canadian double-faulted to hand over two break points the next game. She saved the first with a forehand down the line winner that skimmed the line and found her serve to save the second.
She faced a third but still managed to avoid going down a double-break and the crowd roared in applause. Bouchard double-faulted two games later, going down 15-40 in similar fashion and this time Kvitova didn’t hesitate to break, with a lightning-fast inside out forehand winner.
Kvitova’s first sloppy service game of the match came when she was trying to serve out the opening set. Bouchard hit a backhand passing shot down the line to get two break points and converted when the No6 seed landed a backhand in the net, giving a lifeline to the 20-year-old.
But the former champion was not discouraged, earning three set points on Bouchard’s serve thanks to a slick return winner.
Bouchard saved the first two but Kvitova took a one-set lead on her third chance. A calm Kvitova held to love to open the second set and had two break points in the next game.
Bouchard was clearly unable to keep up with her opponent’s depth and pace and she was soon down 0-3.
Every now and then, Bouchard would show brief signs of life by capitalising on her returns but the final mostly looked like a complete mismatch.
Even in the lengthier rallies, it was Kvitova who came out on top, hitting just within the lines and turning defence into attack. A merciless return gave Kvitova a fifth break of the match and she took her sixth game in a row to go up 5-0.
Bouchard hit three lets as she served to stay alive in the Championships but it only delayed the inevitable.
She crouched to hit a forehand winner and make it 30-30 with the crowd willing her to put up a fight but the next point gave Kvitova her first championships point and she took it with a backhand cross court winner – her 28th of the 55-minute final.
The 24-year-old's second major title will see her rise to No4 in the world when the new rankings come out on Monday. Meanwhile, Bouchard will rise to No7, the highest ranking ever achieved by a Canadian.
“I’d like to congratulate Petra. She played fantastic these two weeks. It was really tough for me today but I’m proud of how I’ve played this whole tournament. I love coming back to Wimbledon,” said a dejected Bouchard.
“I feel like it’s a step in the right direction. I don’t know if I deserve all your love today but I really appreciate it.”
