Fairytale Win for Russian Prodigy Maria

It is a long way from Siberia to SW19, but yesterday on Centre Court Maria Sharapova completed her remarkable journey into the affections of Wimbledon's Centre Court.

The 17-year-old Russian eclipsed the favourite and title holder Serena Williams to take her first Grand Slam title in straight sets. After completing her stylish and comprehensive victory 6-1, 6-4, Sharapova sank to her knees, as if in disbelief: the first time she had shown anything but irrepressible confidence all afternoon.

She then made her way through a packed crowd to her embrace her exultant father, Yuri, with whom her journey had begun.

Even by Wimbledon standards, Sharapova's tale is the stuff of fairytale. She was conceived only 200 miles from Chernobyl in the year of the nuclear disaster and her parents moved to Siberia, fearing for her health.

Spotted as a tennis prodigy at the age of five by Martina Navratilova, her father saved to take her to Nick Bollettieri's renowned tennis school in Florida 10 years ago. In an emotional speech to Centre Court she acknowledged all of the sacrifices her parents had made.

While awaiting the presentation ceremony Sharapova was trying to get through to her mother, who is in America, on a mobile phone that Yuri had thrown to her from the stands. Unfortunately, she said, in a fit of giggles, she could not get a signal.

She expressed delight at her victory, then apologised to her opponent. 'I'm taking it from you for one year. I'm sorry.' She said she looked forward to meeting Williams in many future finals.

Wimbledon has waited for a long time for new rivalry in the women's game to capture the imagination. Now it has a contest to savour.