Sensational Serena Williams completed her second 'Serena Slam' by winning a sixth Wimbledon title at the expense of surprise package Garbine Muguruza on Saturday.
The world number one will head into the US Open, which starts next month, knowing a victory will see her become only the third player to achieve a calendar Grand Slam following a straight-sets triumph on Centre Court.
Muguruza made an encouraging start to her first grand slam final and battled to the end, but top seed Williams summoned the class and will to win that has earned her legendary status as she triumphed 6-4 6-4 to secure an astonishing 21st grand slam title.
The 33-year-old American now holds all four grand slam titles - a so-called 'Serena Slam' - 12 years on from achieving that feat for the first time, after rising to the occasion yet again on another glorious day in the south-west London sun.
Williams needs just one more major title to draw level with Steffi Graf's incredible tally of 22 and looks set to go well beyond the German great's record on this evidence.
The American jumped for joy after becoming the queen of Centre Court once again, with 21-year-old Spaniard reduced to tears.
The 20th seed said she had dreamed of facing Williams in a Wimbledon final when she was only eight years old and, although her time may come again, her maiden major final failed to produce a repeat of her stunning win against Williams in the French Open last year.
Muguruza showed no sign of nerves on the big stage in an impressive start and it was the favourite who looked edgy in the opening game.
Williams double-faulted three times and faced four break points, the last of which she lost by thumping a backhand beyond the baseline.
The 21-year-old held to lead 2-0 and raced into a 0-30 lead in the next game, but a fired-up Williams started to get angry with herself and took out her frustration by winning four points in a row to get on the board.
Muguruza came under pressure for the first time when Williams had two break points in the sixth game, but her positive approach paid off as she saved both in some style with gusto and held with a booming serve to lead 4-2.
Williams was not to be denied the break back to make it 4-4, though, with Muguruza this time long with an attempted winner after the top seed had got away with a mishit earlier in the rally.
The outstanding American had the bit between her teeth and came up with a stunning backhand return winner to go 15-0 up when her opponent was serving to stay in the set, then a double-fault gave Williams a set point that she won with a sublime forehand.
Williams looked in trouble in the third game of the second set when she was 15-30 down, but stood firm in determined fashion to hold and edge 2-1 in front.
Muguruza appeared down and out when she netted to go 5-1 down and on the brink of defeat, but she was not finished yet and showed incredible character to stay in the game.
The Venezuela-born rising star produced some quality shots to battle back to 5-4, but failed to hold as Williams earned another three match points and took the first when Muguruza fired an attempted winner just wide.