LONDON, (Reuters) – Garbine Muguruza clinched a maiden Wimbledon title yesterday with a stunning demolition of Venus Williams, whose dreams of a fairytale victory at the age of 37 were blown apart in a devastating second set.
Like many a brutal demise, the end was messy and at times uncomfortable to watch as the Spaniard cut loose after tense early exchanges, winning nine straight games to crush the demoralised American 7-5 6-0.
It was Muguruza’s second grand slam title to add to last year’s French Open and was indisputably deserved after she absorbed everything her opponent could throw at her before taking control and inflicting a punishing triple break in the final set.
She was robbed of the picture-perfect conclusion and forced to wait as Hawk-eye was called on to confirm that a mis-hit forehand from Venus had landed out before her emotional celebrations could begin.
It was the 23-year-old’s second Wimbledon final, having lost to Venus’s sister Serena on the same stage in 2015, and her legs gave way as she fell to the ground after the decision was relayed on Centre Court’s giant scoreboards.
“Two years ago I lost in the final to Serena and she told me one day I was going to maybe win and hey, two years after here I am,” she said courtside.