This time last year, Petra Kvitova from the Czech Republic won her first grass court match at the highest level and the another four on the way to becoming a Wimbledon semi finalist. This year, she improved sufficiently to reach the final, proving that her lead up form as runner-up at Eastbourne was genuine and reliable.
However, her opponent in the final had done this before - as a 17 year old in 2004, against Serena Williams no less and apart from that Wimbledon has won twice since at Grand Slam tournament level. Clearly Maria Sharapova began this final as favorite, but it promised to be an attractive match, with the best current left hander playing one of the best stroke makers in the women's game with a return to negate most powerful serves.
In the semis Petra gained a flying start against Azarenka while Maria was slow out of the blocks against Lisicki. In the final, Petra served first and nervously, dropping her opening game, an action repeated immediately by Sharapova who proved in the beginning that she hadn't exhausted her plentiful supply of double faults, and the question was raised as to whether they may play a part in her ability to hold serve at crucial times. In the semi she covered the deficiency beautifully with all other parts of her game working to perfection against a slightly lesser opponent. The final would be a greater test.
Petra served for the second time with authority and led the match 2-1, delighting the crowd with what have become almost signature forehands but also looking more solid off the other side. Now feeing in a position to attack, the Czech girl did, and Maria was caught off guard going down a break of serve confirming the momentum shift to Petra had indeed been established.
As Sharapova settled onto her rhythm, both girls put on a display worthy of a Ladies Final at Wimbledon, and to her credit the more experienced Russian pressured Kvitova all the way. Plaudits then to the debut finalist for soaking up the pressure and handing as much back as the ground shots from both racquets continued thrilling the crowd.
The expectation of a Sharapova interlude to play herself back into the set was an undercurrent within many in the crowd born mostly of hope rather than logic, especially given the application that Kvitova was devoting to the important task at hand. Unfortunately errors from Maria found the net a little often to maintain sufficient heat on the Czech serve, and the first set played out 6-3 in Petra's favour.
A wonderful first set in her first final, absolutely littered with winners off her forehand, but surprising Maria with a few more than expected off the opposite backhand wing. Tactically I noticed Petra change up her forehand a few times - when going for the winner it has usually been down the line and sensational, and players including Maria have come to expect that - today Petra on occasion went cross court, not always successfully, but enough to set a doubt in Sharapova's mind, and add another string to the bow for the young rising star.
For the Centre Court crowd she perhaps had become a star on this very day, a set up and then a break up in the second set. Now we knew Maria would not go away peacefully - she would be here for the dog fight if necessary. A careless Petra let the break advantage at 2-0 slip from her grasp and a more fluent and clear thinking Maria levelled things in the set at 2-2.
Then for awhile neither girl wanted to hold serve - after the terrific effort to return games back on serve, Maria failed once more and Kvitova pounced over everything to achieve the lead 3-2. What Sharapova needed was to consolidate a break and take the lead in the set but the younger player was denying her the chances in a most mature exhibition, something like what Sharapova showed against Serena Williams seven years ago as a teenager.
Once more the occasion and exuberance forced an adrenalin rush on Petra's serve, while Maria's calculating tennis brain found another method of breaking down the efficient spin serve problems she had faced for most of the match. 3-3 and Maria to serve for the lead. Suspicions were growing that this could go to three sets and that scenario may favour the Russian markedly.
Yet again Kvitova rose to the challenge and with assistance from a poor handful of shots from Maria at the inopportune time, another break of serve set the scene for a final sprint to the line with Petra leading 4-3 and serving.
Just to be different serves were held for the next two games, most courageous of these Maria Sharapova when serving at 3-5 to stay in the match. However, this left the door open for Petra Kitova to create history and become the first Czech girl to win at Wimbledon since Jana Novotna in 1998, coincidentally the last year I visited London.
No drama in this service game especially the last delivery which was an ace, the perfect finish to the fairytale tournament for the player Fred Stolle has termed appropriately the breath of fresh air for women's tennis.
Both girls should be proud of their achievements in the tournament - Maria, though disappointed in defeat was most gracious and will continue to improve after her return from shoulder problems.
Petra Kvitova is going places fast and with some fine tuning and improved shot selection may very well challenge for the pinnacle of the women's game over the course of the next few years.
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