Wimbledon 2021: Ashleigh Barty beats Karolina Pliskova to win title

World number one Ashleigh Barty won her maiden Wimbledon title as she capitalised on a nervous display by Karolina Pliskova.

Barty won the first 14 points to take early charge in a 6-3 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 win on the 50th anniversary of idol Evonne Goolagong Cawley’s maiden win here.

Czech Pliskova settled in the second set, rediscovering her big serve before errors crept back in the third.

Barty sealed her second Grand Slam title when Pliskova netted a backhand.

“This is incredible,” said Barty, who is the first Australian woman to win the Wimbledon singles title for 41 years.

“I have to thank every single person in this stadium. You’ve made my dream so special,” she told the packed Centre Court crowd.

Both women were making their debut in the final of the grass-court Grand Slam – the first time since 1977 that had happened – and that may go some way to explaining the rollercoaster nature of the match.

BBC