Bartoli is Wimbledon champion after beating Lisicki

Marion Bartoli was victorious in a surprisingly comfortable final encounter against Sabine Lisicki 6-1 6-4 to become the new Wimbledon champion.

The 28-year-old French player won her first Grand Slam title as her 23-year-old German opponent seemed overwhelmed by the occasion.

Lisicki, who had won many new admirers for her genuine warmth as well as her powerful displays through the tournament, was blown away in the first set as she struggled to contain her nerves. After initial breaks of serve by both players, Bartoli settled, her aggressive tactics against Lisicki's potent serve proving stunningly effective.

During the second set, having failed to make the most of opportunities against her opponent and after double faults had enabled Bartoli to break her twice, Lisicki was reduced to tears. However, she found some resolve, reducing a 4-1 deficit to 5-4 to give her a glimmer of hope. But it wasn't to be as Bartoli showed a steely nerve to held serve, winning the title with an ace.

Bartoli, the number 15 seed, had been impressive throughout this year's Wimbledon, easing through each round, returning serve brilliantly and ultimately proving too confident and determined for the less experienced German.

Wimbledon has a new and very worthy winner. The Venus Rosewater dish returns to France for the first time since Amelie Mauresmo won in 2006. Fitting then that Mauresmo should be one of the people Marion Bartoli climbed the players' box to embrace after her joyful victory.