By Pritha Sarkar
Petra Kvitova produced a majestic performance to end Eugenie Bouchard’s hopes of becoming the first Canadian to win a grand slam title with a 6-3 6-0 win in the Wimbledon final on Saturday.
The Czech captured her second title at the All England Club having also lifted the Rosewater Dish in 2011.
Much had been made of Bouchard’s raw power and determination to triumph in what she calls the “Temple of Tennis” but the 20-year-old was unable to cope with sixth seed Kvitova’s more varied attacking style.
Bouchard was watched from the Royal Box by the British princess she had been named after but the occasion of playing in her first major final appeared to overwhelm the 13th seed.
Kvitova hit rip-roaring winners left, right and centre to win the most one-sided final since Steffi Graf also dropped only three games against Monica Seles in 1992.
Bouchard dropped serve in the fourth game after Kvitova hit a scoring crosscourt winner to end an entertaining rally that had sent both players scampering around the court.
Kvitova’s only blip during a 55-minute demolition job was when she first attempted to serve out the set at 5-2. She dropped her serve but then broke her rival in the next game with a thumping return.
The crowd tried to lift Bouchard’s sagging spirits with cries of “Come on Genie” but left-hander Kvitova simply went into overdrive in the second, winning it in 22 blistering minutes, and ended her victim’s ordeal with a sizzling backhand crosscourt winner.
Speaking to BBC Sport following her win, Kvitova said: “I had great tactics from my coach – he always knows how I need to play.
“It was great play from Eugenie – you will be back soon. It was definitely a tough match. All my team helped me a lot throughout the years to come back here and win the trophy again.
“I can’t say it’s more special but after three years to be back here with the trophy is so special.
“I have to say thank to everyone who supports me all the time, it is a special time for me. Hopefully it will be good for everyone in the Czech Republic to have a second trophy. It is my second title so I hope it will be a little bit easier for me to handle.”
As for Bouchard, she said: “It was really tough for me today but I am proud of how I have played for these two weeks, I love coming back to Wimbledon so thank you guys. I feel like it’s a step in the right direction, I ‘m not sure I deserve all your love today but I certainly appreciate it. “
