Bartoli takes Wimbledon crown

The world No 15 had only previously appeared in one Grand Slam final, the Wimbledon showpiece six years ago, when she lost to Venus Williams.

But she had little trouble seeing off world No 24 Lisicki and lifts the title having not dropped a set in the entire tournament.

After both women dropped their opening service games, Bartoli won six straight games to take the first set and five in a row to seize control of the second.

Lisicki, who was playing in her first major final, held serve only three times, but managed to save three match points in the seventh game, launching a mini-revival that saw her recover to 4-5.

But serving for the set for the third time, Bartoli raced to a 40-0 lead and completed the victory with an ace before sinking to her knes on the Centre Court turf in celebration.