(Wimbledon, GBR) - AFP IS CLOSING THIS LIVE REPORT after France's Marion Bartoli raced to her first ever Grand Slam title as the 15th seed overwhelmed Germany's Sabine Lisicki 6-1, 6-4 in the Wimbledon final.
Bartoli, 28, became the fifth oldest woman to become a first-time Grand Slam winner in the Open Era.
Six years after losing to Venus Williams in the final, Bartoli returned to the famous Centre Court turf and finally ended her long wait for a major crown with a supreme display of double-handed power hitting.
She took just 81 minutes to rout 23rd seed Lisicki, who broke down in tears as the match slipped away in the second set.
"Honestly I just can't believe it, as a little girl I dreamt of this moment for so long," Bartoli said.
"Finishing with an ace to win Wimbledon, even in my wildest dreams I couldn't have imagined that. I'm just so happy to be holding this trophy.
"I missed out here in 2007. I know what it is like and I'm sure Sabine will be here one more time, no doubt about it."
Lisicki, who was undone by 25 unforced errors, said: "I was just overwhelmed by the whole situation, but credit to Marion. She handled it perfectly. She's been on the tour for a long time and deserves this.
"I still love this tournament. I just hope I get another chance as well."
By finally winning her maiden major title in the 47th Grand Slam appearance of her career, Bartoli surpassed the previous record set by Jana Novotna, who won Wimbledon in 1998 after 45 appearances at the majors.
Bartoli, who will climb to seventh when the latest world rankings are released on Monday, didn't drop a single set in her seven matches and is the first Frenchwoman to win a Grand Slam singles title since Amelie Mauresmo at Wimbledon in 2006.
Read on to find out how all the action unfolded in front of a packed crowd on a sun-soaked Centre Court:
1445 GMT: Marion Bartoli thanks her father Walter and all her team including compatriots Amelie Mauresmo and Kristina Mladenovic, who will play Sunday's mixed doubles final with Daniel Nestor.
1440 GMT: Sabine Lisicki is presented with the silver runner's up plate before Marion Bartoli is handed the famous silver salver, the Venus Rosewater Dish, in her second Wimbledon singles final.
GAME, SET AND MATCH BARTOLI 6-1, 6-4
MARION BARTOLI IS THE 2013 WIMBLEDON WOMEN'S SINGLES CHAMPION
Bartoli closes it out in style, winning the game to love and finishing it with a huge ace.
She clambers up to the player's box and hugs among others Amelie Mauresmo and her father Walter.
LISICKI 1-6 4-5 *BARTOLI
Lisicki then follows it with another hold with an imperious forehand winner. She somehow seems to have taken her emotions by the scruff of the neck and dragged herself back into this.
But Bartoli still has another chance to serve for the title.
BREAK - *LISICKI 1-6 3-5 BARTOLI
Hang on, could we have a comeback on our hands? Bartoli takes it to 15-all with another flat cross-court backhand but she follows it with a double fault.
She then nets with a backhand and it's break point to Lisicki and the German takes it when Bartoli send a backhand long.
LISICKI 1-6 2-5 *BARTOLI
Amazing hold by Lisicki, saving three Championship points with three booming serves.
Back from the brink and now Bartoli must serve it out.
*LISICKI 1-6 1-5 BARTOLI
Bartoli holds and seems to be racing towards her first Grand Slam title.
BREAK - LISICKI 1-6 1-4 *BARTOLI
Lisicki falling to pieces in that game as she tries to keep her emotions in check but the tears are flowing. "She's at meltdown point" says John McEnroe on commentary.
Huge round of applause from the crowd who are trying to get behind her but Bartoli forces another error and seals the second break in this set.
*LISICKI 1-6 1-3 BARTOLI
Bartoli holds serve and this next game will be crucial for Lisicki.
BREAK - LISICKI 1-6 1-2 *BARTOLI
Bartoli straight back into her stride with some big returns followed by a winner down the line. Replays show it was just out but Lisicki failed to challenge, showing that she may not be thinking clearly, and Bartoli breaks to 15 with an emphatic smash. That could be a key blow in the context of the match..
*LISICKI 1-6 1-1 BARTOLI
Bartoli saves a break point with a powerful two-fisted backhand which Lisicki returns wide. The German earns a second chance but Bartoli runs in to hit an impressive backhand drive volley and saves a third with a cross-court winner before closing out the game when Lisicki mishits one wide.
All of Bartoli's fighting qualities on show in that game which lasted over 10 minutes.
She has now saved six of seven break points against her in the match.
LISICKI 1-6 1-0 *BARTOLI
Lisicki cracks a smile as she walks back onto court to a huge ovation from the crowd who clearly want to see a contest here..
The 23-year-old smacks some big serves and hits a forehand winner to hold before a fist-pump and a purposeful stride to the changeover.
GAME AND FIRST SET BARTOLI 6-1
Bartoli sends down some big serves and takes the set with ease. Lisicki goes straight off for a bathroom break and knows she has to regroup if she's going to get herself into this.
Bartoli hit 68 percent of her first serves in to Lisicki's 54 percent in that first set.
The Frenchwoman also won three of her six break points.
BREAK - LISICKI 1 *BARTOLI 5 (*Denotes upcoming server)
Lisicki showing lots of nerves in that game with a string of unforced errors, netting one particularly easy backhand and an erratic ball toss on the serve. The German he saves one break point with an ace down the middle and then earns a game point with a delicate drop shot.
But a netted backhand and one that goes long and she's broken again.
*LISICKI 1 BARTOLI 4 (*Denotes upcoming server)
In Bartoli's box, Amelie Mauresmo, Thomas Drouet, former hitting partner of Australian Bernard Tomic, and Kristina Mladenovic who will be in Sunday's mixed doubles final with Daniel Nestor.
Also Bartoli's father and former coach Walter, taking a lower profile than usual in the second row.
BREAK - LISICKI 1 *BARTOLI 3 (*Denotes upcoming server)
Great anticipation from Bartoli to get across to Lisicki's push down the line before hitting a cross-court backhand volley winner to earn two break points.
Lisicki save one with a high-kicking serve but Bartoli pounces on a short second serve on the second and forces the German to net.
*LISICKI 1 BARTOLI 2 (*Denotes upcoming server)
Bartoli holds with some more solid serving - important for her that she gets over early nerves with her double faults which are a regular problem for her.
BREAK - LISICKI 1 *BARTOLI 1 (*Denotes upcoming server)
Bartoli breaks straight back after some powerful returns followed by a big double fault from Lisicki this time.
1318 GMT: Guy Forget, France's former Davis Cup captain, believes Bartoli's ferocious competitive spirit is comparable to Rafael Nadal, Dave James writes from Centre Court.
"She's a prodigious force. She reminds me of Rafael Nadal in that she always sees the glass as half-full not half-empty. You sense that she is never plagued by doubt."
After being broken first game, she will need that kind of character.
BREAK - *LISICKI 1 BARTOLI 0 (*Denotes upcoming server)
Great start from Lisicki as she powers a backhand winner down the line to fashion two break points. Bartoli saves the first break point with a ferocious backhands and saves the second after chasing down a drop-shot from Lisicki.
But the Frenchwoman then serves up two double faults and is broken.
1311 GMT: Marion Bartoli to serve first.
Apologies for any delay to updates in the feed -- this is due to a technical fault which I am informed is being fixed so fingers crossed it will stay that way.
1300 GMT: Both players are out on court for the coin toss which tournament referee Andrew Jarrett is organising in the brilliant sunshine - big smiles from both Lisicki and Bartoli but the nerves must be jangling inside.
1245 GMT: Dave James is on Royal Box watch on Centre Court and there seems a decent crop of stars from both within and outside the tennis galaxy: "In the Royal Box, Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova rubbing shoulders with author Bill Bryson and Die Hard star Alan Rickman."
1235 GMT: More news from Dave James at Wimbledon: "Eva Asderaki, the umpire who was on the receiving end of Serena Williams' infamous meltdown at the 2011 US Open, will take charge of Saturday's Wimbledon women's singles final.
"The 31-year-old will be overseeing her first Wimbledon singles final, 11 years after she first officiated at the tournament.
"Asderaki famously docked Williams a point for intentional hindrance during the 2011 US Open final against Samantha Stosur when she screamed 'Come on' before her opponent had the opportunity to return the ball.
"'You're out of control. You're a hater, and you're just unattractive inside,' Williams shouted at Asderaki.
"The American went on to lose the final in straight sets and was fined $2,000."
1230 GMT: AFP sports correspondent Dave James sends this from Wimbledon: "The French and German press are getting behind Marion Bartoli and Sabine Lisicki respectively.
"L'Equipe splashes with 'Les Sentiers de Gloire' ('Paths of Glory') over a photo of 2007 runner-up Bartoli while German daily Bild shows Lisicki with the headline 'Sum, sum, sum Bine, hau sie um', which I am reliably informed is a play on a German nursery rhyme and translates roughly as 'buzz, buzz bee, blow them away'. Bine, as in Sabine, means 'bee' in German."
1225 GMT: My colleague Ryland James sends this from Berlin: "Wimbledon coverage is only available in Germany on paid-for channel Sky, so the majority of Germans won't be glued to their televisions for this one, but the bars, pubs and beer gardens can expect extra trade as 'Bine'-mania sweeps the country."
WELCOME TO AFP'S LIVE REPORT on the Wimbledon women's singles final between Sabine Lisicki and Marion Bartoli, two players who have conquered a series of personal demons both on and off the court.
When Lisicki walks onto Centre Court for her first Grand Slam final it will be both the culmination of a childhood dream and also a fitting end to a tale of redemption that started three years ago.
The 23-year-old German's joyful celebration at the conclusion of Thursday's dramatic win over Agnieszka Radwanska was a far cry from the dark days of 2010 when she was on crutches for months after sustaining a serious left ankle injury at Indian Wells.
History favours 23rd seed Lisicki, who has won three of her four meetings with French 15th seed Bartoli, and all of Britain's major high street bookmakers make her the odds-on favourite.
But Bartoli has experience of the Wimbledon final after being beaten by Venus Williams in 2007.
She has rediscovered her best form since ditching her father Walter, who was her long-time coach, and hiring former Wimbledon winner Amelie Mauresmo.
Join us for live text commentary on all the action from Centre Court from 1.30pm (12.30 GMT) ahead of the scheduled start at 2pm (1300 GMT).
