Live-blogging the women's final

Posted by BESS: I'm going to attempt to live-blog the women's final, starting in a mere one minute or so. Feel free to chime in via the Comments section (during the match or after the fact!)

Maria Sharapova v. Petra Kvitova

9:47 - Trophy ceremony. A very brief comment from Maria - she hopes to be back to win the "big" trophy (dish) in the future. Kvitova acknowledges all the great players in the royal box, including both Martina Navratilova and Jana Novotna--both from her home country of the Czech Republic. Both of them look very proud, and Martina, particularly, looks great! Kvitova takes her "lap of honor" around the stadium. Is it just me or does she look like an older version of little Mary Grace Leyda? (My co-workers will know what I'm talking about here.) Congrats to Petra, but I'm sad for Maria. Dave is, too. He just texted me the following message: :-( .

9:39 - Kvitova serving for the title. Up 40-0. Hammers her first and only ace to win. She drops briefly to her knees. In the stands, her dad erupts out of his seat, cheering and immediately begins to cry. So touching! Kvitova and Maria share a handshake/two kisses at the net. Kvitova appears cool and calm now. No tears that I can see. Just happy. Kvitova wins the title with a 6-3, 6-4 win over former Wimbledon champ Maria Sharapova.

9:33 - Kvitova comes back from 15-30 to win. She's now one game away from the championship title. She's doing some jumping squats to tame her energy/nerves as Maria starts serving. Maria holds an easy love game with some tough serving. Kvitova serves for the title at 5-4.

9:27 - Kvitova's serving. Sharapova has two chances to break and take advantage of the second with a huge return winner. Back on serve, 3-3. In her next service game, Maria commits double-fault #6 en route to two break points for Kvitova. On the second one, Maria hits a shot wide and Kvitova breaks. She's now ahead 4-3. Can anyone hold serve here?

9:16 - Kvitova serves a tight game, including one double-fault. Maria finally breaks her with a tricky lob. Back on serve. Maria seems to be on a mini-roll. Maria then plays from behind most of her next service game. She hits a number of great shots, but the game goes to multiple deuces, and Kvitova eventually breaks. Kvitova 3-2. Maria's mini-roll (perhaps imagined by me) appears to have ended.

9:01 - Sharapova double-faults to give Kvitova break point. Kvitova breaks with a winner that barely hits the line. In Kvitova's next game, she now seems to be clearly outplaying Maria. They're both hitting big shots, but Kvitova's got fewer errors, more consistency. Kvitova wins a tight game. 2-0 Kvitova. Up a set and a break. Maria then wins an easy game. 2-1 Kvitova.

8:51 - Sharapova wins a tight game--with three deuces--including an ace on what would have been set point for Kvitova. Way to hang tough, Maria! Kvitova then delivers three service winners, combined with one Sharapova error, to win her game and the set. First set to Kvitova, 6-3. You get the feeling they're pretty on par so far. Kvitova's ahead, but it's not like she's completely dominating Maria. Remains to be seen if the momentum will propel Kvitova to a lead in the second set.

8:41 - Annnd, as soon as I said Maria looked pretty solid, she committed her second and third double-faults to lose serve. Kvitova then held an easy game. She's up 5-2. Maria's really got to get those double-faults in check! Her serve is so much better than it's been over the past two years or so, but it's still an unpredictable weakness.

8: 33 - Despite her first double-fault, Sharapova holds and is looking pretty solid so far. Kvitova holds, as well. And we're on serve. 3-2 Kvitova. Can we stop for a moment to appreciate the visual charm of Centre Court? The almost completely advertising-free surroundings, the green grass court, the dark green walls, the players in all white. When the sun shines brightly it all seems to gleam!

8:24 - Kvitova broke Sharapova's serve in the second game and appears to have shaken off some of the early jitters, winning a tight third game on her serve. 2-1 Kvitova.

8:14 - Sharapova breaks Kvitova in the first game. But it's still early folks! In many respects...

8:00 - While awaiting the start of the match, I'll note one point of (?)interest: Today the Royal Box is said to include Anne Hathaway and Condoleezza Rice.