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World No.1 Barty clinches women's singles title at Wimbledon

<p><strong>FIRST DISH</strong>. Ashleigh Barty of Australia poses with the trophy during the awarding ceremony for the women's singles final between Ashleigh Barty of Australia and Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic at the Wimbledon Tennis Championship in London, Britain, on July 10, 2021. Barty became the first Aussie to hold the Venus Rosewater Dish in 41 years. <em>(Xinhua/Han Yan)</em></p>

FIRST DISH. Ashleigh Barty of Australia poses with the trophy during the awarding ceremony for the women's singles final between Ashleigh Barty of Australia and Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic at the Wimbledon Tennis Championship in London, Britain, on July 10, 2021. Barty became the first Aussie to hold the Venus Rosewater Dish in 41 years. (Xinhua/Han Yan)

LONDON – World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty beat Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-3 to clinch the women's singles title at the Wimbledon Championships on Saturday.

The 25-year-old Australian needed only 28 minutes to take the first set in a convincing way, but the 29-year-old Pliskova fought hard to crawl back by winning the tiebreaker 7-4 in the following set.

In the deciding set, Barty broke early to keep the match under control, winning the second Grand Slam title of her career.

"It was the most incredible feeling I think I've ever experienced on a tennis court," said Barty who became the first Aussie to hold the Venus Rosewater Dish in 41 years. "There was certainly disbelief. I think I've worked so hard my whole career with my team and with people that mean the most to me to try and achieve my goals and my dreams. To be able to do that today was incredible."

Pliskova, playing her second Grand Slam final as Barty did, failed again in her pursuit of a Grand Slam title. But the big hitter said she was proud of herself to find a way to fight back.

Pliskova admitted that it's "a horrible start" as she lost the first 14 points in a row at the beginning of the match.

"That's why I'm more like proud about the way how I find a way back in that match. I mean, not really close to winning, but it was one set all after,” she said.

About five weeks ago, Barty withdrew from the second round of the French Open due to a hip injury.

"In a sense, it was a two-month injury," she said. "Being able to play here at Wimbledon was nothing short of a miracle." (Xinhua)

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