Quick-fire Kvitova crushes Bouchard
Czech sixth seed takes just 55 minutes to win her second Wimbledon title in a ruthless display that left Canadian shell-shocked and helpless
Petra Kvitova stormed to her second Wimbledon title in the shortest women's final since 1983 as the Czech sixth seed crushed Canada's Eugenie Bouchard 6-3, 6-0 on Saturday.
Kvitova, who first won Wimbledon in 2011, took just 55 minutes to end her three-year wait for a second grand slam crown, leaving shell-shocked world No 13 Bouchard helpless to repel a brutal barrage of 28 winners and four aces on Centre Court.
Playing in her first grand slam final since her maiden triumph at Wimbledon, the 24-year-old Kvitova produced a brilliant display of power-hitting to secure the 12th career title.
All my team helped me a lot throughout the years to come back and win the trophy again
Fittingly, Kvitova's breathtaking performance came in front of her childhood hero Martina Navratilova, whose 54-minute win against Andrea Jaeger 31 years ago was the last Wimbledon final to take less time than this ruthless demolition.
The crowd tried to lift Bouchard - who is signed to appear at the Hong Kong Open in September - with cries of "Come on Genie" but left-hander Kvitova simply went into overdrive in the second set, winning it in 22 blistering minutes, and ended her victim's ordeal with a sizzling backhand cross-court winner.
"I had great tactics from my coach," Kvitova said. "All my team helped me a lot throughout the years to come back and win the trophy again.
"I can't say it's more special but after three years to be back with the trophy is so special."
She also dedicated her win to her father, Jiri.
"It's my dad's birthday tomorrow, so this is for him. This is just so amazing."
After struggling to cope with the fame and increased expectations that came with her first Wimbledon triumph, Kvitova has finally recaptured the thrilling form that brought her that breakthrough success.
The left-hander dropped just one set in her seven matches en route to lifting the Venus Rosewater Dish for the second time and will rise to fourth in the world rankings.
While Kvitova celebrated, Bouchard, the youngest finalist at a major since Caroline Wozniacki in 2009, was left to lick her wounds after a chastening defeat in her first grand slam final.
For the photogenic and fiercely competitive Bouchard, named after Princess Eugenie by her royalty-obsessed mother, this was supposed to be her coronation as queen of Wimbledon.
But instead, with her regal namesake watching from the royal box, the 20-year-old was swept away and now shares with Sharapova the unwanted distinction of being thrashed by Kvitova in a Wimbledon final.
"It was really tough for me but I am proud of how I have played for these two weeks," Bouchard said.
"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."
