Iga Swiatek triumphs at Wimbledon for the first time

(sda) The world number 4 needed just 57 minutes to prevail against the world number 12. For Swiatek, who also lost only two games to Belinda Bencic in the semifinals, it is her sixth Grand Slam title, following her four in Paris and one at the US Open.

The 23-year-old Grand Slam finals debutant Anisimova was never able to shake off her nerves and was virtually overwhelmed by Swiatek. The Eastern European, who is exactly three months older, had the match under control at all times. Only in the third game – at 0-2 – did the American have four match points, after which she never had another chance to win.

The first time in Wimbledon history that a 6-0, 6-0 final was won was 114 years ago. Since the professional tournament was allowed in 1968, there has only been one major final that ended in a "sweet spot." In 1988, Steffi Graf defeated Natalia Zvereva at the French Open without losing a game – in just 34 minutes.

Former world number 1 Swiatek has had a difficult few months. She hadn't won a tournament since her fourth triumph at the French Open thirteen months ago. However, in the week leading up to Wimbledon, she showed her good form and reached the final in Bad Homburg.

Although she was once a junior champion at Wimbledon, she hadn't made it to the top in southwest London until this year, never making it past the quarterfinals. "This is super surreal," she said now, after falling backward after the final backhand winner – despite the clear lead.

Had she dreamed of this triumph as a teenager? "No," Swiatek assured. "I wouldn't have even dared to dream of it."

Amanda Anisimova's mood was completely opposite. The New Jersey player with Russian roots was on cloud nine after her brilliant semifinal defeat of world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. The day that should have been the biggest day of her career turned into a nightmare.

She began to cry during the awards ceremony and was cheered up by the audience's prolonged applause. "You are such an incredible player, you are such an inspiration to me," Anisimova said tearfully to Swiatek. She had taken a months-long break just two years ago due to burnout and returned stronger. Curiously, Anisimova defeated Yulia Putintseva 6-0, 6-0 in the first round.

This year, however, Swiatek, who dropped only one set in the entire tournament, was untouchable. She is only the third player after Margaret Court and Monica Seles to win all six of her first Grand Slam finals. She also extended an impressive streak: Since Serena Williams's success in 2016, there was a first-time winner at Wimbledon for the eighth time in a row.