Wimbledon 2019: Simona Halep stuns Serena Williams in straight sets to win her first title at SW19

Halep was too good for the American and clinched victory in straight sets

Wimbledon Championships in numbers

Simona Halep beat Serena Williams to win her first Wimbledon final with a stunning performance in straight sets.

The omens had looked good for the American, who has won nine of the 10 previous meetings between these two, but Halep said she is "stronger mentally" than she has been in previous meetings and proved that on Centre Court.

The result showed Halep's all-round talents after claiming last year's French Open on clay. Follow updates from the match in the live blog below:

Last five meetings

2019 Williams d Halep 6-1 4-6 6-4 (Australian Open, hard)

2016 Williams d Halep 6-2 4-6 6-3 (U.S. Open, hard)

2016 Williams d Halep 6-4 6-3 (Indian Wells, hard)

2015 Williams d Halep 6-3 7-6(5) (Cincinnati, hard)

2015 Williams d Halep 6-2 4-6 7-5 (Miami, hard)

[13 July 2019 11:57 · Jack Watson]

Welcome

Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of Serena Williams vs Simona Halep in the Wimbledon final.

Will Williams make it number eight at SW19, or is Halep going to spoil the party in her first Wimbledon final?

The match gets underway at 14:00 BST and we'll bring you all the build-up and live updates throughout the day.

[13 July 2019 13:00 · Kieran Jackson]

Day 12 is here, and it's Ladies' Singles Finals Day!

[13 July 2019 13:03 · Jack Watson]

How the two match up against each other

11- Serena Williams

Age: 37

WTA Ranking: 10 (Highest ranking: 1)

Grand Slam titles: 23 (Australian Open 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2017; French Open 2002, 2013, 2015; Wimbledon 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016; U.S. Open 1999, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014)

2018 Wimbledon performance: Runner-up

Best Wimbledon performance: Winner (2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016)

Sets dropped at Wimbledon 2019: 2

7-Simona Halep

Age: 27

WTA Ranking: 7 (Highest ranking: 1)

Grand Slam titles: 1 (French Open 2018)

2018 Wimbledon performance: Third round

Best Wimbledon performance: Final (2019)

Sets dropped at Wimbledon 2019: 1

[13 July 2019 13:05 · Kieran Jackson]

[13 July 2019 13:10 · Kieran Jackson]

Excitement levels? High.

[13 July 2019 13:15 · Kieran Jackson]

It promises to be a cracking match.

[13 July 2019 13:20 · Kieran Jackson]

[13 July 2019 13:27 · Kieran Jackson]

Meanwhile, last night...

[13 July 2019 13:29 · Kieran Jackson]

Quite a cool little feature to get you warmed up!

[13 July 2019 13:29 · Kieran Jackson]

The joy of Wimbledon champions.