Garbiñe Muguruza powered her way to her first title at Wimbledon and second at a Grand Slam tournament, beating a fading five-time champion Venus Williams 7-5, 6-0 by claiming the final's last nine games.
At 37, Venus Williams was fighting for her sixth championship at the grass-court major, 17 years after her first. And she was so close to gaining the upper hand against Muguruza, holding two set points at 5-4 in the opener. But Garbiñe Muguruza fought those off and did not drop a game the rest of the way of the English Grand Slam final. Muguruza denied Venus a first major title for nine years, which would have made her the oldest female Grand Slam champion in the Open era.
In 2015, in her first Grand Slam final, Muguruza lost to Williams' younger sister, Serena, whom the
Spaniard then defeated in the French Open title match in 2016.
This time the 23-year-old Muguruza was too good down the stretch
Williams twice was a point away from winning the opening set, ahead 5-4 while Muguruza served at 15-40. On the first set point, a 20-stroke exchange ended when Williams blinked first, putting a forehand into the net. On the second, Williams sent a return long, and Muguruza pumped her fist For her first trophy at Wimbledon ladies' singles final.
"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."
Seeded No.14 but set to return to the Top 5 fo the WTA Rankings following Saturday's victory, Muguruza, clinching victory after 77 minutes under the Centre Court roof
Garbiñe Muguruza played the better tennis. Venus gave it her all in the first set. Muguruza just played bigger on the bigger points. Amazing run Venus Williams and great win Muguruza. She's the 1st to beat both Williams sisters in a Grand Slam final. Congrats Garbine, great play.