Marion Bartoli, a former Wimbledon runner-up, effectively used her previous experience to break down - physically and emotionally - Sabine Lisicki 6-1, 6-4 to capture her first Grand Slam title in her 47th appearances at a major.
"I dreamed about this moment for so long," said Bartoli during her on-court interview, addressing Sabine who was shaking and in tears. "I was there in 2007 and I missed it. I know how it feels, Sabine, and I'm sure you will be there one more time. I have no doubt about it."
The 15th-seeded Bartoli, who lost to Venus Williams in her other Wimbledon finals appearance, used her power game to bounce back after losing a pair of double-faults in the first game, rattling off 11 of her next 12 serves. Bartoli's serve was hitting speeds of up to 115 mph.
Lisicki, ranked 23rd, rallied back into the match, trailing 5-1, 15,-40, saved three match points and pulled within 5-4, weeping on the court at points during the second set, before Bartoli sealed the game drilling an ace on match point.
Lisicki upset 14th-ranked Samantha Stosur, No.1-ranked Serena Williams, and 4th-seeded Agnieszka Radwańska to get to the finals, but Bartoli's challenge proved to be too much for the German to handle.
"I think I was just overwhelmed by this whole situation," Lisicki said fighting through her tears. "Credit to Marion. She's been in that situation before and she handled it so well. I hope I'll get the chance one more time as well."
Bartoli's Centre Court victory makes the fifth-oldest first-timer to win a Grand Slam in the Open era, and her first championship of any kind since 2011. Bartoli earned $2.4 million of the winner's share while Lisicki leaves the All English Club with $1.2 million.
"Maybe all the candles I've burned have helped me," said Bartoli. "It's been my dream since I was 6 years old."
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