With an attacking game perfectly suited for the grass, Petra Kvitova makes winning Wimbledon look easy.
In the most lopsided Wimbledon women's final in 22 years, the Czech left-hander overpowered Eugenie Bouchard 6-3 6-0 in less an hour Saturday to win her second title at the All England Club.
Dictating with her big serve, aggressive returns and flat groundstrokes, the 2011 Wimbledon champion never let the 20-year-old Canadian - a rising star playing in her first grand slam final - get into the match.
It was a clinical performance of power tennis, with Kvitova ripping baseline winners off both wings and leaving Bouchard looking helpless.
Kvitova won the final seven games, finishing the 55-minute rout in style with her 28th winner - a clean cross-court backhand from the back of the court.
"I mean, a few shots (were) really incredible and I really couldn't believe that I made it actually," she said.
Kvitova fell onto her back at the dusty baseline after her final shot flew past Bouchard.
Later, she climbed into the stands to embrace her tearful parents and the rest of her team.
The last time a player lost only three games in the Wimbledon final was in 1992, when Steffi Graf beat Monica Seles 6-2 6-1.
Kvitova's offensive, take-charge style is perfectly suited for the grass of the All England Club.
Three years ago, she dropped only seven games in beating Maria Sharapova for the title.
Both of her grand slam finals have been at Wimbledon.
"I can't say that it's more special, but definitely after three years to stand here with the trophy again, it's absolutely amazing," Kvitova told the Centre Court crowd after accepting the Venus Rosewater Dish from the Duke of Kent.
Later, she told reporters that nothing tops winning Wimbledon.
"It means everything," said Kvitova, who will move up to No.4 in the rankings on Monday.
"Tennis here is tennis history. The Centre Court is always great to play on. I feel really like at home."
For Bouchard, the first Canadian to reach a grand slam final, it was a humbling defeat.
She is named after Britain's Princess Eugenie, a granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, and the princess was watching from the front row of the Royal Box.
"I did see her in the box," Bouchard said. "I'm very happy that she came out. Disappointed I couldn't put on a better show for her."
Bouchard, the Wimbledon junior champion two years ago, came into the match with the best record in majors this year - 16-2 - and was the only player to reach at least the semifinals of the first three grand slams.
She is taking her heavy defeat as a learning experience.
"It was a big moment walking out onto Centre Court for a final," said Bouchard, who will break into the top 10 for the first time at No. 7, the highest ever for a Canadian.
"I have that experience now. I know what it feels like. I hope I can walk out to many more finals. That's the goal."
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