Tenaciously Tennis

Maria Sharapova takes on Petra Kvitova in the finals. Below is live blogging from the match.

10:38 AM: With an ace (her only one of the match), Petra Kvitova becomes a Wimbledon champion. She defeated Sharapova 6-3, 6-4 in a brilliant display of shot-making and steady nerves.

10:35 AM: In a routine hold, Sharapova brings the score to 4-5. It’s time for Kvitova to serve for the championship.

10: 33 AM: Kvitova comes back from being down 15-30 to take the game, 5-3. Now the pressure’s all on Sharapova to hold serve.

10:29 AM: Well, she couldn’t handle holding serve. Kvitova broke again and the finish line is in sight. It’s 4-3 now.

10:24 AM: Sharapova’s gaining some momentum back. She broke Kvitova to even the match again at 3-all. How will she handle the serve?

10: 17 AM: It’s all about Kvitova in this match; she’s completely dictating play in an echo of the way Sharapova dominated Serena Williams back in ’04, according to the NBC commentators. I completely agree. Kvitova broke the Russian to lead 3-2.

10:07 AM: Sharapova lofts a beautiful lob over Kvitova to level the second set at 2-all.

10:01 AM: Kvitova’s rolling in the second. She broke Sharapova to start after the Russian hit her fifth double fault. The Czech then held serve to make the score 2-0.

9:51 AM: With a definitive 40-0 game, Kvitova takes the opening set 6-3.

9:50 AM: Sharapova successfully held, but Kvitova’s just two points from taking the first set.

9:40 AM: Kvitova’s getting sharper as the match continues. She backed up the break of Sharapova’s serve with a strong hold. The Czech’s now leading 5-2.

9:38 AM: Sharapova hits her third double fault on match point to give Kvitova the break.

9:37 AM: Uh, oh. Sharapova strikes her second double fault, giving Kvitova the chance to break.

9:34 AM: Kvitova holds serve despite a number of errors. Wow, this isn’t going to be much of a clean match, is it?

9:30 AM: With a little luck from a net cord, Sharapova successfully defends her serve to level the match at 2-all. The 2004 champion is still looking a little too streaky.

9:24 AM: It’s now 2-1 Kvitova after the Czech answered Sharapova’s blasting returns with huge lefty forehands of her own. Can she keep the momentum going and break Sharapova’s serve for a second time to race to a 3-1 lead?

9:21 AM: Sharapova’s battled back to deuce on Kvitova’s serve.

9:17 AM: Kvitova breaks right back with the help of some Sharapova mishits.

9:15 AM: Kvitova races to a quick 40-0 lead on Sharapova’s serve after the Russian hit some errors.

9:14 AM: Maria’s choice to receive worked out well. The Russian started her bid for a second Wimbledon title by breaking Kvitova’s big lefty serve.

9:13: AM: Break point for Sharapova. Let’s see if she can convert.

9:11 AM: Already some errors creeping into the Kvitova game. Sharapova’s up 30-0 on Kvitova’s serve. Can the Czech shake off the nerves?

9:09 AM: The match is about to begin. Petra Kvitova will serve first although Sharapova won the toss. This should be a good match for the two; their games match up well. Watch out for the serve for both.