Serena Williams overpowered a stubborn Agnieszka Radwanska in three sets Saturday to win her fifth Wimbledon title.
The American sixth seed combined saw off a second-set comeback from the Pole, playing her first major final, in just under two hours for a 6-1, 7-5, 6-2 victory.
It was a 14th career slam for the 30-year-old Michigan native, who is sixth on the all-time list that is headed by Australia's Margaret Court, who had 24.
Williams hit a classy passing shot down the line on match point, spinning on the spot and falling to the floor before putting her hands to her face.
The now-customary clamber up into the stands followed, as Williams embraced family members.
"Oh my god, I can't even describe it," Williams said in televised comments. "I thank Jehovah for making it this far."
The win was particularly sweet for Williams because she never imagined being able to compete on the highest level again after suffering a blood clot in March 2011.
"I never dreamed of being here again, being so down, but just never give up," she said, holding back the tears.
Radwanska, who has been fighting off a cold all week, said she was satisfied with being the first Polish woman in 73 years to make a major final.
"I think I've had the best two weeks of my life," Radwanska said. "Serena was too good today but I'm very happy to be here in the final," she added, holding back tears.
"It was not my day. I will try again next year. We'll see."
It appeared the win would come a lot faster as Williams raced to the first set, sealing it with two aces.
But the weapon let her down in the second set as her first-serve percentage dropped to just 54, allowing Radwanska to hit back.
The Pole battled to take the set but it was the American who handed it to her, netting meekly.
But Williams regrouped, put up a sterner fight during rallies and broke her opponent psychologically with a drop shot that put her 4-2 up and firmly in charge.
She never looked back, going on to secure what she called the sweetest of her five Wimbledon titles.
