Petra Kvitova, 21, of the Czech Republic defeated Maria Sharapova in straight sets Saturday to win the ladies' championship at Wimbledon.

It is the first Grand Slam title for Kvitova and fourth tournament win of the year. She won 6-3, 6-4 on the famed grass Centre court.

Kvitova became the first Czech woman to win Wimbledon since Jana Novotna in 1998 and first left- handed woman to capture the crown since another Czech, Martina Navratilova won her record ninth title in 1990.