7 Jul 2013

Bartoli becomes Wimbledon Champion

9:19 am on 7 July 2013

The French 15th seed Marion Bartoli has romped to an emotional first grand slam victory on thrashing an overwhelmed Sabine Lisicki 6-1 6-4 in the Wimbledon final.

Bartoli, 28, became the fifth oldest woman to become a first-time grand slam winner in the Open era and the first player from outside the top 10 to win a major since Venus Williams in 2007.

Six years after losing to Williams in that final at the All England Club, Bartoli needed only 81 minutes to rout the 23rd-seeded German Lisicki, who broke down in tears as the match slipped away in the second set.

Lisicki, who had upset top seed Serena Williams en route to the final, threatened to stage a late comeback but ultimately took too long to overcome her nerves.

Bartoli, who will climb to seventh when the latest world rankings are released on Monday, didn't drop a set in her seven matches and is the first Frenchwoman to win a grand slam singles title since her coach Amelie Mauresmo at Wimbledon in 2006.