Wimbledon 2011: Live - day 12 ..........By Piers Newbery at Wimbledon

1552: Petra Kvitova departs Centre Court as the new Wimbledon champion and heads off for all sorts of glamorous engagements, no doubt. First up, she poses with the trophy alongside her name on the honours board. Presumably, Petra will not be grappling with the rail replacement bus service later on and can sweep into central London for a slap-up meal. We, on the other hand, will continue to prepare for Sunday's men's final between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Should be quite good, that. See you at 1200 BST.

1548: Petra Kvitova - "It's hard to find some words. I'm standing here with the trophy and I see some great players in the Royal Box. Of course I was nervous in the final game but I hoped that I can win and I had to focus on each point which was important. It's very nice that Martina Navratilova and Jana Novotna are watching me and have supported me all the time during the tournament and gave me some advice."

1547: Maria Sharapova - "Unfortunately there is only one winner at the end of day. I have had amazing support over so many years and to be back at this stage and holding the runners-up trophy - I wanted that big one and it's something I'm going to be back for and will get again."

Annabel Croft on 5 live: "It was an extraordinary performance. She played breathtakingly and had so many weapons at her disposal and managed to bring them out on display in the final. When she reached the semis last year, it was such a shock but she then went on this losing streak and then bounced back to be here. It will be interesting to see how she responds after this."

1543: Bethanie Mattek Sands on 5 live: "Nerves of steel. Kvitova did it herself and she wasn't waiting for mistakes from Sharapova. And to win it on an ace - what a way to win it. Sharapova's done it so many times [recovered from slow starts] and we were expecting her to get back in it. But Kvitova played aggressively and remained calm and I'm really impressed."

1538: "That was a pretty good time to hit your first ace of the day," says John McEnroe. Jana Novotna, the last Czech to win here in 1998, looks down from the Royal Box alongside the nine-time singles champion Martina Navratilova. And there are currently eight Czech women in the world's top 100. The LTA is looking for a new head of women's tennis, return flight to Prague anyone?

PETRA KVITOVA BEATS MARIA SHARAPVOA 6-3 6-4 TO WIN WIMBLEDON

Sharapova 3-6 4-6 Kvitova
Nerveless stuff from Kvitova as she serves her way to 40-0 and three championship points.... and she hits an ace down the middle! That is the way to win Wimbledon.

Sharapova 3-6 4-5 Kvitova *
Or maybe she will. Sharapova holds to love and Kvitova must serve out for the Wimbledon title. "Something tells me this is going to be a pretty long changeover for her," says John McEnroe. "It's so exciting, your heart starts beating faster and you tell youself, 'Just keep doing what you've been doing'. Think of the first point and the first serve...."

Bethanie Mattek Sands on BBC Radio 5 live on women's final: "Both mixing the game up so well but Kvitova is still smooth and calm and ripping it even more. Petra is making it really tough. Sharapova is back behind the baseline which is where she doesn't want to be and she's got to figure out how to get back inside. It's exciting to know we're getting close to a new Wimbledon champion."

* Sharapova 3-6 3-5 Kvitova
Big hold. Another tight game goes the way of Kvitova when Sharapova blazes a forehand return over the baseline, and it's hard to see the 2004 champion being abe to hold serve enough to get out of this.

Sharapova 3-6 3-4 Kvitova *
Sharapova has won 15% of points on her second serve and 57% on her first serve. That ain't doing it. Under pressure she nets a forehand to fall 15-40 and two break points down... and another wayward forehand when rocked back by Kvitova's power means Sharapova is behind again. "How does anyone get momentum right now - sixteen games, eight breaks of serve," says John McEnroe.

* Sharapova 3-6 3-3 Kvitova
Blimey. Kvitova hits a backhand so hard it produces a scream from Tracy Austin, that in turn nearly knocks me off my seat. Calm it down, Petra, some of us are trying to work. Fortunately, Sharapova is made of sterner stuff and earns herself a break point... but finds the tramlines. Kvitova then misses an absolute sitter to give up another break point.... and Sharapova nails the return. "Poor game from Kvitova," says Tracy Austin.

From BlackburnJA on Twitter: "If #Wimbledon has been anything to go by, the Women's game is fit and strong again. This is a final between 2 great players. #bbctennis"

Sharapova 3-6 2-3 Kvitova *
"That's the best shot she's hit today, right there," says John McEnroe when Sharapova hooks a forehand from almost behind her and fires it cross-court. That gets her back to 30-30, but the momentum is lost when she puts a forehand long on game point. Break point for Kvitova... missed with a return in the net. Another break point.... second serve.... Kvitova smashes a forehand return into the corner. Brilliant.

* Sharapova 3-6 2-2 Kvitova
A screaming Sharapova return is accompanied by a screaming Sharapova, and moments later the Russian has a break point.... Kvitova has the point at her mercy but goes down the middle again with a short ball, and Sharapova scoops a backhand lob over the Czech to grab the break. Cue... fist pump.

Sharapova 3-6 1-2 Kvitova *
Sharapova ends a run of six games against her with a frankly surprising love service game.

Annabel Croft on 5 live: "The swinging lefty serve is causing Sharapova all sorts of problems, as well as her thumping serves, interspersed with her low backhands. By the end of the first set, Sharapova was starting to lose her way. Everything Kvitova is throwing at her is going her way."

* Sharapova 3-6 0-2 Kvitova
She's just tightening up a little bit," says Mark Petchey on BBC One after Kvitova double faults for deuce, but the Czech comes through and lets out the yelp of delight that has become a familiar sound around the All England Club this fornight.

1457: Bad news from Court One if you're British, but we can all congratulate our Australian friends. Hurrah! Luke Saville beats Stockport's Liam Broady 2-6 6-4 6-2 in the boys' final, but it's been a great week for the Briton. Chin up, everyone.

Sharapova 3-6 0-1 Kvitova *
Kvitova hooks a beautiful wrong-footing forehand into the corner for 30-30, and Sharapova then has a second serve..... and double faults. She knew it, we all knew it. Break point.... What a shot! Kvitova hammers a magnificent forehand down the line that is so good, no-one can believe it's in. Hawk Eye says it was. Just a brilliant shot. Court One - Broady 6-2 4-6 2-6 Saville

1453: "Sharapova is faced with a bit of a dilemma and it will be interesting to see if she's got an alternative as to what do do," says John McEnroe. "You suspect she has."

* Sharapova 3-6 Kvitova
So, big moment for Kvitova as she serves for the first set in a Wimbledon final. Nerves? Nope. The Czech gets to 40-0 and the set is hers when Sharapova nets the return. History suggests Petra will now go walkabout for half an hour and we'll have a final set classic. On Court One - * Broady 6-2 4-6 2-5 Saville

Sharapova 3-5 Kvitova *
Sharapova is battling hard but a sweeping backhand down the line brings Kvitova back to deuce. Maria's fiance, Sasha, is a nervous wreck in the players' box, and a backhand into the net from his wife-to-be doesn't help matters. Set point.... Sharapova hits an ace. I did not expect that. The Russian hangs on. On Court One - Broady 6-2 4-6 2-4 Saville *

Bethanie Mattek Sands on 5 live: "Kvitova's a cool customer and doesn't look like she's outside her comfort zone. She's sticking to her ritual against someone as experienced as Sharapova. This is an important game and she needs to close out this first set but Sharapova will fight back."

* Sharapova 2-5 Kvitova
Kvitova is in the kind of purple patch that characterises her game, it's Tsongaesque stuff, and the serve is doing some real damage. "She looks like she's unbeatable, playing so well," says John McEnroe. And on Court One - * Broady 6-2 4-6 1-4 Saville

Sharapova 2-4 Kvitova *
The heavyweight action might be scheduled for Hamburg later tonight but Centre Court is witnessing some heavy blows at the moment, Kvitova crashing a forehand down the middle for 30-30 before Sharapvoa double faults. Break point.... and Sharapova doubles again! It's the French Open semi-final against Li Na all over again. And bad news for Britain on Court One - Broady 6-2 4-6 1-3 Saville *

* Sharapova 2-3 Kvitova
Kvitova holds and my prediction of a succession of breaks remains just that, a prediction. The vibes are not so good from Broady but he's on serve on Court One - * Broady 6-2 4-6 1-2 Saville

Sharapova 2-2 Kvitova *
"They're taking so much time between points, it's supposed to be 25 seconds," says Tracy Austin. To be honest, Tracy, it's helping me out a bit. "C'mon!!!" yells Sharapova as she too holds serve, and things have tightened up on Court One - Broady 6-2 4-6 1-1 Saville *

Bethanie Mattek Sands on 5 live: "It's a great start. They're both really going for it. As we've seen before, mixing it up against Sharapova really works."

* Sharapova 1-2 Kvitova
Kvitova comes through a tough service game, seeing off a couple of break points and taking it with a thumping winner before celebrating as though she's broken. And over on Court One - Broady 6-2 4-6 Saville * The Brit was a break up but couldn't hold on.

Sharapova 1-1 Kvitova *
Oh yes. Kvitova creams a forehand down the line, the first of many winners from her today, and two more fizzing returns earn the Czech three break points.... and Sharapova misses on the second. This could be a contest to see who holds serve. Court One latest - * Broady 6-2 4-5 Saville

* Sharapova 1-0 Kvitova
Sharapova will be looking to make some inroads on the fearsome Kvitova lefty serve and quickly gets to 0-30. The Czech recovers for 30-30 before Masha whips a forehand cross-court and follows it in. Break point... and Kvitova finds the net. And on Court one, the boys swap breaks - Broady 6-2 4-4 Saville *

1409: "I'm sure Maria thought she'd be in more finals after winnng this at 17 years of age," says John McEnroe on BBC One. "She's tried everything on serve and has gone back to what she did in the beginning. Yet mentally she's as tough as anyone I've ever seen on a tennis court. Kvitova has had a fantastic year and she uses that lefty serve so well. It's pretty clear her best surface is the one she's playing on right now." Over on Court One, it's a right old battle....
Broady 6-2 3-3 Saville *

1400: Maria Sharapova and Petra Kvitova walk onto Centre Court carrying the traditional bouquets of flowers. Over on Court One, Saville looks more like Lleyton Hewitt than ever as he celebrates breaking back, so there's life in that one. I will endeavour to keep you across both matches.
* Broady 6-2 2-2 Saville

1351: Broady breaks at the start of the second and holds. I'm not calling this one, though. I've seen too much. Meanwhile, the band departs Centre Court and we are about ready to see the ladies' finalists. "Sharapova and Nadal are the best two competitors in the game," says Tracy Austin on BBC One. "From a young age it's unusual for a kid to know 'this is where I'm going', and she has always had that."
Broady 6-2 2-0 Saville *

1351: Broady breaks at the start of the second and holds. I'm not calling this one, though. I've seen too much. Meanwhile, the band departs Centre Court and we are about ready to see the ladies' finalists. "Sharapova and Nadal are the best two competitors in the game," says Tracy Austin on BBC One. "From a young age it's unusual for a kid to know 'this is where I'm going', and she has always had that."
Broady 6-2 2-0 Saville *

1346: Broady wraps up the first set in 36 minutes, clenches his fist and gives a steely look to his supporters. His attitude and poise has stood out in each match so far, he looks like a tough nut to crack.
Broady 6-2 Saville *

David Felgate on BBC Radio 5 live watching the boys' final: "It's all been very impressive so far. Liam Broady looks comfortable and he likes the big stage. He's doing all the right things. He looks like he belongs out here and that's very important."

From Liam in Newcastle via text: "can only see the womens final going the way of the big Russian, Kvitova off to a fast start but her standard mid-game slump will see Sharapova gain momentum which will not be relinquished, Shara in 3 sets for me!"

1334: Saville has a break-back point but misses the return on a second serve, Broady saves a second with a swinging lefty serve and a third with a rasping forehand. Tough game, good hold for the Brit.
Broady 5-1 Saville *

1326: Broady wallops a forehand pass down the line as Saville charges into the net once again and it's all looking very good on Court One. Suspiciously good.
* Broady 4-1 Saville

1319: Broady the steadier so far and the more aggressive Saville is going for a bit too much. The Briton thumps away a volley on his second break point, although looks back nervously as the Aussie's desperate response drifts close to the baseline.
* Broady 2-1 Saville

From James via text: "Maria, move her around, think big, hit big and scream big! Good luck masha!"

1313: "Great reception for Liam, including a few screams from female admirers. Broady-mania starts here?" says BBC Sport's Chris Bevan on Twitter from Court One. Steady, Bevo. Saville opens with a hold, Broady responds in kind. I'll be keeping you up to date with this one before we go game-by-game for the ladies' final. Just so you know.
Broady 1-1 Saville *b>

1305: Liam Broady is out on Court One with Luke Saville - a huge occasion for both of them. Broady has a touch of a young, blonde Roy Keane about him, Saville has more than a hint of Lleyton. The Aussie will serve first...

1300: There's a buzz around Centre Court now as we move to within a hour of the ladies' final - Maria Sharapova v Petra Kvitova. The 24-year-old Russian won their only previous meeting on hard courts in Memphis last year and seems to be themarginal favourite, but it's three years since she won a Grand Slam and that serve can go haywire. Kvitova has far less experience at 21 and is playing her first Grand Slam final, but she can hit winners from anywhere.

1251: Let's have a quick look ahead to the boys' final coming up soon, and the chance for Liam Broady to follow in the footsteps of Britain's last junior male champion, Stanley Matthews Jr, in 1962. Broady is on an 11-match winning streak and faces fellow 17-year-old Luke Saville from Berri in Australia. "I played him last in under-14s, so it was a long time ago and things change," says Stockport's Broady. "I've seen him play a few times. Obviously he's a very good player. Hopefully if I bring my game out, I'll be able to do some damage again. I always go on court expecting to win, no matter who against. I think I've got a very good chance if I play well."

From Tim, London, via text: "Murray's solution is easy, he has to move up one (or maybe down one) in the seedings, assuming Nadal gets back to One. Then at least he only meets him in the Final."

1238: The Royal Box list is in, and it's a who's who of women of import - Condoleezza Rice, Anne Hathaway, Bille Jean King, Amelie Mauresmo, Martina Hingis, Martina Navratilova, Jana Novotna, Helena Sukova, Maria Bueno. Plus, er, Nick Clegg.

BBC Sport's Chris Bevan on Twitter: "Nadal briefly forced off court by a swarm of insects. Greenflies, I think. Maybe Murray should bring some with him next year? #bbctennis"

1230: If you're a Nadal fan you're happy, and if you're a Djokvic fan you're probably delirious, but for Andy Murray followers it's another case of 'What if?' or maybe 'Will he ever?' Britain's newspapers have come to the rescue with their thoughts on this subject, for example: "Just like last summer, Nadal welted a great number of forehands past Murray on Centre Court, and then approached the net at the end to say sorry," says Mark Hodgkinson in the Telegraph. And Kevin Mitchell in the Guardian writes: "That Murray fell short for the third year in a row at this stage of the tournament had as much to do with his struggle for consistency when in such a position as the irresistible Spanish force in front of him."

Andy Murray's part-time coach Darren Cahill on Twitter: "Aussie's flying on the back of Tomic's Wimby run, Luke Saville into the boys final & Ash Barty playing the girls semi today. Good luck!"

1222: France's Caroline Garcia is the star name of the girls' singles after Andy Murray proclaimed her a future world number one when she gave Maria Sharapova a mighty scare at Roland Garros. She trails Russia's Irina Khromacheva 2-1 on Court 12, while Dutch girl Indy de Vroome - which, let's face it, is an undeniably brilliant name - leads Aussie Ashleigh Barty 4-2 on Court 18.

1215: Yep, Rafa is out on Court 16. In the first two rallies I see he hits the net both times. Two unforced errors in 30 seconds. He is mocking us. The great man was, well... great yesterday. An official tally of seven unforced errors in his semi-final win over Andy Murray. "The statistics are really unbelievable," Nadal said aterwards, a bit embarrassed. The truth, I don't know. We have to look at the statistics, but not everything is statistics, no?"

BBC Sport's Chris Bevan on Twitter: "Big crowd crammed into Court 16, waiting for Nadal to arrive for practice. His Welsh hitting partner Evan Hoyt here again too. #bbctennis"

1204: He's back, and he's sounding in a jaunty mood. It's the Voice of Wimbledon - "Unbelievably, we've had no rain for the last three days and I'm delighted to tell you that it's highly likely we'll have another fine and dry day, so it's all good news." After a slow start, VoW has really hit his stride in the second week.

1202: The action has already got under way around the All England Club with the wheelchair event on Court 14, while the girls' semi-finals are about to start on Courts 12 and 18. We then have the excitement of a British male in a Grand Slam final as Liam Broady takes on Australia's Luke Saville at 1300 BST, before Sharapova v Kvitova at 1400 BST. And it's all available through the Red Button, online at the top of this page and, with a manual refresh, trusty old 5live.

1200: Hello, and welcome to the penultimate of day of Wimbledon. It might feel like the day after the night before for some, but it's the biggest day of their sporting lives for others. We started off with 256 players hoping to get their hands on the singles trophies and we're now down to just four. This afternoon we'll see whether Maria Sharapova can reclaim the title she won in 2004, or whether Petra Kvitova can become the first Czech champion since Jana Novotna in 1998.

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