WIMBLEDON 2014 WOMEN'S FINAL

We have in the one corner, Eugenie Bouchard of Canada (age 20 and number 13 in the world), a young yet seasoned tennis player for the past 15 years, up against Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic (age 24 and number 6 in the world) and Wimbledon champion 2011.

For you, today's analysis of the women's Wimbledon final will focus on the big picture and how Petra won.

There is a technique to winning, and Petra has it nailed.

This was a relatively short match in duration, less than an hour, and looking at the stats for this match we can glean several strategies that put Petra Kvitova in the driver's seat.

Here are the match stats from SET 1, per the Wimbledon website~

• SUMMARY STATS


• DIR. SERVE STATS

Eugenie Bouchard (CAN)		Petra Kvitova (CZE)
1	Aces	4
2	Double faults	3
35 of 57 = 61 %	1st serves in	28 of 41 = 68 %
16 of 35 = 46 %	1st serve points won	23 of 28 = 82 %
8 of 22 = 36 %	2nd serve points won	5 of 13 = 38 %
107 MPH	Fastest serve	113 MPH
99 MPH	Average 1st serve speed	106 MPH
85 MPH	Average 2nd serve speed	92 MPH
2 of 4 = 50 %	Net points won	11 of 14 = 79 %
1 of 1 = 100 %	Break points won	6 of 13 = 46 %
13 of 41 = 32 %	Receiving points won	33 of 57 = 58 %
8	Winners	28
4	Unforced errors	12
37	Total points won	61

Let's look at these stats. Petra's service game was stronger on all levels~ speed, 1st serves in and points won, aces. Eugenie is trying hard, nice stats here too, but not enough. It is clear to win on your serve, and Petra Kvitova has Eugenie beat by a mile.  

Win on your serve, break your opponent at least once, you win the match. This is the simple rule of tennis.

Let's look at the net points.  Kvitova dominated at the net. 11 of 14 net points won is quite a good number.  Bouchard only came to the net 4 times, and only won 2 of them.  That tells me right there that Petra Kvitova has effective passing shots, plus Bouchard is playing a baseline game by not getting to the net all  that much.

Also, what jumps out is the receiving points won.  This says that Petra Kvitova has dominated the serving player Bouchard by winning 58% of Bouchard's service points.  Does not bode well for the server! 

Also, the unforced errors is interesting. Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova had 12 unforced errors, this says she is going for her shots, she is loose and playing the game.  12 is not a bad number as she conversely had 28 winners!

Let's look at Eugenie Bouchard. She has only 4 unforced errors, playing a clean game certainly, but only 8 winners.  What does this tell you? It says Petra Kvitova has dominated the game with her 28 winners and is not letting Bouchard in the door to do the same. Bouchard is on the defensive.

And total points won. 61 Kvitova, 37 Bouchard. Not bad for Bouchard, but again certainly not enough.

At these times, you have to be ready to dominate to win.

• RETURN STATS
  RRALLY STATSRETURN STATS

Eugenie Bouchard (CAN)				Petra Kvitova (CZE)
TOTAL	1ST SERVE	2ND SERVE		1ST SERVE	2ND SERVE	TOTAL
1	N/A	N/A	Return winners	N/A	N/A	3
0	N/A	N/A	Return unforced errors	N/A	N/A	5
41	28	13	Return points	35	22	57
13	5	8	Return points won	19	14	33

The above indicates a breakdown of more return stats. Look at how Petra Kvitova takes over.

And below, more stats for you, of what these players did right, and what both need to work on~

• RALLY STATS
  DIR. SERVE STATSRALLY STATS

Eugenie Bouchard (CAN)							Petra Kvitova (CZE)
WINNERS		FORCED ERRORS		UNFORCED ERRORS			WINNERS		FORCED ERRORS		UNFORCED ERRORS
FH	BH	FH	BH	FH	BH		FH	BH	FH	BH	FH	BH
-	1	-	-	-	-	Approach Shots	2	2	-	-	1	-
-	-	-	-	-	-	Drop Shots	-	-	-	-	-	-
3	-	9	7	1	1	Ground Strokes	6	5	4	4	2	1
-	-	-	-	-	-	Lobs	-	-	-	-	-	-
-	-	-	-	-	-	Overhead Shots	2	-	-	-	-	-
-	2	-	2	-	-	Passing Shots	1	1	-	1	-	-
-	-	-	-	-	-	Volleys	-	1	-	-	-	-

We know that SET 2 was unfortunately a wash out for Eugenie Bouchard, it was the unified successes built into the first set that laid the groundwork for a Petra Kvitova win.

KEYS TO THE MATCH~ SET 2

Eugenie Bouchard

1.  Win more than 36% of rallies with 3 or fewer shots when returning.

36%

2.  Win more than 42% of 1st serve return points.

42%

3.  Win more than 63% of points on 1st serve.

63%

✓Petra Kvitova

1.  Win more than 35% of rallies with 3 or fewer shots when returning.

35%

2.  Win more than 15% of 1st serve points with an ace.

15%

3.  Win more than 35% of 1st serve return points.

 ✓

35%           

AND the winner is... Petra Kvitova! 6-3, 6-0, Wimbledon 2014 Women's Champion!

Petra, you caught the fire and did not let go!

Congratulations to both players, you have worked hard to excel in this most prestigious of tennis tournaments, your valor, strength, intelligence and grace shows on and off the court!

photo courtesy Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images

For match highlights, here is a 9 minute YouTube in HD, enjoy these two fabulous young women, we can learn so much from them!