It was a battle for firsts on centre court Saturday.<\/p>\n
American star Amanda Anisimova and four-time French Open champion Iga \u015awi\u0105tek each competed in their first Wimbledon final for their first major title on grass, and \u015awi\u0105tek came out on top in a dominant 6-0, 6-0 victory in just 57 minutes at the All England Club.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s the first time a losing player has failed to win a game in the women\u2019s final since 1988, per ESPN.<\/p>\n
Iga Swiatek kisses the winner\u2019s trophy, the Venus Rosewater Dish, after winning her first Wimbledon title. AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n
Iga Swiatek celebrates her win Saturday. AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u015awi\u0105tek was heavily favored despite being on her worst surface.<\/p>\n
However, Anisimova, who was competing in her first grand slam final, couldn\u2019t be underestimated after taking down No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in three sets in the semifinals.<\/p>\n
Still, the clay specialist\u2019s Wimbledon final debut made her the only active women\u2019s player to have reached a grand slam final on all three surfaces. Now, she\u2019s won on all three.<\/p>\n
Iga Swiatek of Poland poses with the Ladies\u2019 Singles Trophy. Getty Images<\/p>\n
Amanda Anisimova cries after falling short. AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n
And that was quickly evident why.<\/p>\n
From the jump, the gap between the two players was on display and it was easily \u015awi\u0105tek\u2019s best match on grass. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt seems super surreal\u2026\u201d Swiatek said as she was awarded the Venus Rosewater Dish and a prize pot of more than $4 million. \u201cHonestly I didn\u2019t even dream [about winning Wimbledon]. This, for me, was just like way too far, you know. I feel like I\u2019m already an experienced player but after winning the times before, but I never really expected this one. So, I want to thank my team because I feel like they believed in me more than I did.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anisimova\u2019s nerves were getting the best of her, overhitting the ball and struggling to find a response to \u015awi\u0105tek\u2019s powerful returns.<\/p>\n
The Polish star only dropped one point in the first game, immediately breaking Anisimova\u2019s serve.<\/p>\n
The American had a tough time settling in, missing several first serves \u2014 7-for-22 in the first set \u2014 and looked increasingly uneasy after each one, which only worsened her start.<\/p>\n
She had 14 unforced errors in the first set, against \u015awi\u0105tek\u2019s two, and the seasoned player took the set in just 25 minutes.<\/p>\n
Iga Swiatek screams after winning the final point to earn her first Wimbledon title. AP<\/p>\n
Anisimova didn\u2019t let up her fight in the second set, but screams of frustration started as soon as \u015awi\u0105tek broke her service in the first game yet again.<\/p>\n
It was a brutal watch for anyone in Anisimova\u2019s box as the errors only continued for the American, making two double faults and 14 unforced mistakes in the second.<\/p>\n
It cost her a blowout match in front of a crowd featuring Katie Middleton, Princess of Wales, Matthew McConaughey, Billie Jean King, and Martina Navratilova, who was the last women\u2019s singles player at Wimbledon to win the opening set of a final 6-0.<\/p>\n
That was until Saturday.<\/p>\n
Iga Swiatek of Poland plays a backhand against Amanda Anisimova of United States during the Ladies\u2019 Singles Final of Wimbledon. Getty Images<\/p>\n
Swiatek made sure to give Anisimova her flowers at the end of the match, despite the score line.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to congratulate Amanda for an amazing two weeks,\u201d she said. \u201cAnyways, no matter what happened today, you should be proud of the work you\u2019re doing. I hope we\u2019re going to play many more finals here and other tournaments. You have a game for that. So, congrats to your team as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amanda Anisimova looks dejected against Iga Swiatek. Getty Images<\/p>\n
Iga Swiatek reacts during the women\u2019s singles final against Amanda Anisimova. REUTERS<\/p>\n
Anisimova was in tears during the award ceremony after becoming the first woman to lose a Wimbledon final in the Open Era without winning a game.<\/p>\n
It was an emotional day for the New Jersey native.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you to everyone who supported me since my first round match here. It\u2019s been such an incredible atmosphere and you guys have carried me through this entire championship\u2026\u201dAnisimova said. \u201cEven though I ran out of gas a bit today, and I wish I could put on a better performance for all of you. You guys have still been there for me and lifted me up so thank you so much.\u201d<\/p>\n
Still, the American women have made big strides this year worth celebrating.<\/p>\n